Numismatic

1861 $2.50 Liberty Gold Quarter Eagle Type 2 XF

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Struck in the historic year of 1861, this gold quarter eagle represents a classic era of United States coinage. Minted at the Philadelphia facility, the coin is composed of 90 percent gold, containing 0.1209 troy ounces of the precious metal. It carries a face value of two and a half dollars, serving as a vital medium of exchange during its time in circulation. The obverse features a left-facing portrait of Liberty, her hair bound by a band clearly inscribed with her name. Thirteen stars encircle the central bust, symbolizing the original colonies, with the date 1861 positioned below. This iconic depiction was created by designer Christian Gobrecht, whose work graced this denomination from 1840 to 1907. On the reverse, a detailed heraldic eagle stands with a protective shield across its chest. The bird holds arrows and an olive branch, surrounded by the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The denomination is abbreviated at the bottom of the design. This specific coin has survived the generations in Extra Fine condition, preserving the intricate details of a design that helped define nineteenth-century American commerce.