Numismatic

1840-1858 $2.50 Liberty Gold Quarter Eagle (Old Reverse, Cleaned)

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During the mid nineteenth century, the United States Mint produced a striking gold piece valued at two and a half dollars. Minted between 1840 and 1858, this Quarter Eagle is composed of 0.900 fine gold, containing 0.12094 troy ounces of precious metal. These historic coins emerged from various federal mint facilities of the era, including Philadelphia, Charlotte, Dahlonega, New Orleans, and San Francisco. Over the decades, many surviving examples have been cleaned or once served as decorative jewelry pieces, leaving unique traces of their long journeys through American history. The obverse of the coin showcases a left-facing portrait of Liberty, designed by Christian Gobrecht. Her hair is bound by a band clearly inscribed with the word LIBERTY, and she is encircled by thirteen stars representing the original colonies. On the reverse, Gobrecht's design features a bold heraldic eagle bearing a shield upon its chest. The eagle holds the traditional symbols of American sovereignty, surrounded by the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the abbreviated denomination 2 1/2 D.