Numismatic

1856 $2.50 Liberty Gold Quarter Eagle MS-61 NGC

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In 1856, the Philadelphia Mint produced a run of 384,240 gold Quarter Eagles. These compact pieces of currency carried a face value of two and a half dollars, struck from 0.900 fine gold with a precious metal content of 0.1209 troy ounces. Because they were minted at the main Philadelphia facility, they bear no mint mark, leaving the focus entirely on the classic artistry of the era. The obverse features the iconic Liberty Head design, a profile that came to define American gold coinage of the nineteenth century. The year 1856 is clearly inscribed beneath the bust, anchoring the piece to a specific moment in pre-Civil War American history. Surviving examples in uncirculated condition are highly prized by those who appreciate numismatic preservation, and this particular specimen has been certified in Mint State 61 (MS-61) condition.