Numismatic

1861 $2.50 Liberty Gold Quarter Eagle Type 2 MS-61 NGC

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Struck in the historic year of 1861 at the Philadelphia Mint, this gold coin carries a face value of two and a half dollars. It is composed of 90 percent gold, containing 0.12094 troy ounces of the precious metal. This particular specimen has survived the generations in remarkable condition, graded by experts as Mint State 61. The obverse features a left-facing portrait of Liberty, whose hair band displays the word LIBERTY. Thirteen stars encircle her image, representing the original colonies, with the date 1861 positioned at the bottom. This classic design was created by Christian Gobrecht. On the reverse, Gobrecht's design displays a powerful heraldic eagle with a shield draped across its chest. The bird is surrounded by the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, with the denomination abbreviated below. This issue represents one of more than 1.2 million such pieces minted during that pivotal year in American history.