1862 Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin

The 1862 Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin was designed by Christian Gobrecht, who had served as the U.S. Mint’s chief engraver. In 1862, two mints produced the Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin, including those in Philadelphia and San Francisco (S) mints. There was an interesting die variety created at the Philadelphia mint, which saw an 1862/1 overdate. For numismatists who enjoy 19th-century coins, the 1862 Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coins are a cherished collector’s item among.

The Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin features the obverse (front) Lady Liberty, whose hair is worn in a tight bun secured by a string of beads with loose curls hanging down her neck. She is wearing a coronet inscribed with the word ‘Liberty’; 13 stars representing the 13 original colonies and the date of issue surround her. The reverse (back) features a proud bald eagle with wings spread, standing among olive branches. The eagle clinches three arrows in his talons, and has a shield featuring stars and stripes upon his chest. The words ‘UNITED STATES OF AMERICA’, the denomination, and the Mint Mark surround the eagle.

Grading the 1862 Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin

The coin grading process is complete and extensive. The coin’s final grade, however, is determined by an expert coin grader or team of graders. Just like other coin types, the less damage the coin has, the more valuable that coin may be. By thoroughly inspecting both sides of the coin while looking for any imperfections, no matter how small, one may be able to determine how their coin might be graded.

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

Uncirculated: An uncirculated Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin will look brand new. Despite the coin’s age, the coin will appear as though it just rolled out of the Mint’s presses. The coin’s images, text and detail will appear to be freshly struck. The coin’s color and finish, however, may give an indication of its age. By using a magnifying glass to thoroughly inspect your coin, you can take a very close look at the coin’s details such as the olive branch to look for any signs of fading or wear.

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

Fine: A fine coin’s text and imagery is still in good condition and is easily discernible, however, the coin displays clear signs of wear. The coin’s images, text and edge may be slightly worn down or more smooth, and the coin’s overall appearance may look duller.

Good: Many years of exchange have taken a toll on the coin’s imagery or words, and they may be difficult to identify. A close inspection must be performed in order to determine the coin type, year or other identifying information. Even though these coins are not in pristine condition, they may still be extremely popular because of their limited mintage, design and historical value.

Pricing the 1862 Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin

When it comes to determining a price for a Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin, you must look no further than the condition of the coin and the type. First, because there were multiple different types of gold coins produced every year, the exact type of coin will play into the asking price. In addition, the condition of the coin means everything to prospective buyers and will also play into the asking price. Below is a chart that will more aptly explain how much you can expect to pay for a 1862 Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin given its type and condition.