1856 Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin

The 1856 Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coins were struck at five mint facilities, including those located in Philadelphia, Charlotte (C), Dahlonega (D), New Orleans (O), and San Francisco (S). The Philadelphia mint struck the most coins, with Charlotte and Dahlonega mints striking the lowest numbers. The Charlotte and Dahlonega mint coins simply were not saved in substantial quantities to begin with, most having later been lost or melted.

The Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin was designed by Christian Gobrecht and weighs 4.18 grams and have a diameter of 18 millimeters, meaning they are roughly the diameter of a standard U.S. dime. These gold coins contain a total of 0.1202 ounces of gold.

Grading the 1856 Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin

The coin grading process is complicated and very thorough. That being said, however, much of the process comes down to the opinion of expert numismatists. Just like other coin types, the less wear and tear the coin has, the more valuable that coin may be. By thoroughly inspecting the coin’s obverse and reverse looking for any imperfections, no matter how small, one may be able to get a good idea of the coin’s grade.

Use the specifications below to determine how your Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin might be graded.

Uncirculated: An uncirculated 1856 Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin will show no signs of physical abuse at all. Despite the coin’s age, the coin will appear as though it just rolled out of the Mint’s presses. The coin’s color and tone may give some indication about the coin’s age; however, the imagery, wording and texture of the coin show no visible signs of physical wear and tear. By using a magnifying glass to thoroughly inspect the coin, you can take a very close look at the coin’s details to look for any signs of fading or wear.

Extremely Fine: Just one step below the brilliant uncirculated grade, an extremely fine 1856 Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin will have only minimal signs of wear and tear on the coin’s images, wording or texture. Some of the coin’s details, may appear worn down. The entire coin, or parts of it, may feel smoother to the touch from years of exchanging hands. Despite this, the coin is still very attractive and is in mostly pristine condition.

Fine: A fine coin’s imagery and wording is still in good condition and is easily discernible, however, the coin displays clear signs of wear and tear. The coin’s imagery and wording may be slightly worn down or more smooth, and the coin’s overall finish may appear dull.

Good: Prolonged wear and tear over the years has taken a toll on the coin’s imagery or words, and they may be difficult to make out. A close inspection must be performed in order to determine the coin type, year or other information. Although these coins may not be in the best shape, they are still extremely popular because of their limited mintage, supply and historical value.

Pricing the 1856 Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin

If you are attempting to price out the 1856 Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin, there are a few different factors you must first take into consideration. For one, there were multiple types of coins minted every year and the scarcity associated with that type of coin will play into the price you pay. Secondly, as is the case with any coin, the coins condition will play into the price you are paying. The chart below is aimed at giving you a better idea of what you might be asked to pay for a Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin from 1856 given its condition and type.