Liberty 2.5 Dollar Gold Coin Value
Do you own Liberty $2.5 gold coins? If yes, consider yourself lucky!
Given the presence of actual gold in their composition, gold coins are automatically much more expensive than some common silver coins. And if you happen to have a rear date minted on your coin, you’ll be able to sell your coin for thousands of dollars.
This post will dive deep into Liberty 2.5-dollar gold coins’ value, features, mints, and factors affecting their value. Let’s begin!
What is Liberty 2.5 Dollar Gold Coin?
Created after the mandate of the Coinage Act of 1792, the eagle, quarter eagle, and half eagle denominations were some of the classic designs.
Also known as the ‘Coronet Head’ gold coins, it was one of the designs of quarter eagle gold coins the government was producing at the time. Designed by Christian Gobrecht, Liberty Head gold coin design is one of the most popular coin designs.
Liberty $2.5 gold coins were minted from 1840 to 1907. Classic Head $2.5 gold coins, minted from 1834 to 1839, preceded Liberty Head 2.5 dollars.
Moreover, before Classic Head 2.5 dollars, Caped Head 2.5 gold coins were minted from 1796 to 1834. Indian Head 2.5 dollars followed the Liberty Head design and were minted from 1908 to 1929.
Features of Liberty 2.5 Dollar Gold Coins
1. Coin Specification:
Liberty $2.5 gold coins weigh 4.18 gm and have a net gold weight of around 3.76 gm. The diameter of the coin is 18 mm, and the thickness is 1.2 mm.
Coins in Liberty 2.5 gold series consists of 21.6 K 90% gold and 10% copper. Consequently, the minimum value of these coins depends upon the gold market value at the time.
2. Design:
While the design before these gold coins features a ribbon binding the curly hair, in the Liberty Head design, Liberty’s hair is adorned with a coronet.
The reverse side of the coin features a heraldic eagle. Liberty Head 2.5 dollars, unlike Capped Head $2.5 gold coins, do not have ‘E Pluribus Unum’ on its reverse. The designer Christian Gobrecht was the third-chief engraver of the US mint.
3. Mint Marks:
Liberty 2.5 dollars gold coins were struck in multiple different mints. In fact, mint marks often are significant to many collectors.
You can find a small mint mark on the reverse side of Liberty 2.5 dollars, right below the eagle’s feathers. ‘D’ is for coins minted at Dahlonega, ‘S’ is for San Francisco, ‘O’ is for New Orleans, ‘C’ is for Charlotte, and coins minted at Philadelphia Mints feature no mint marks.
For limited 800 pieces of 1885 gold coins, CAL is marked just below the ‘STATES’ on the eagle side of the coin.
What Factors Influence The Value of Liberty 2.5 Dollar Gold Coins?
1. Grade:
Grades also play a major role in determining a coin’s value. Liberty gold coins are graded as Good, Very Fine, Extremely Fine, and Uncirculated.
The grading depends upon various factors, such as luster, damage, circulated status, and texture. Uncirculated coins are graded MS60 and above and are considered premium and expensive.
2. Rarity:
By default, humans seek after rare goods; they desire to possess what others do not. In the case of Liberty, $2.5 Gold coins, 1,389 coins minted with a special marking CAL, are one of the most sought-after coins among collectors.
These coins were minted from 230 ounces of gold sent to the Secretary of War Marcy by the Military Governor of California, Colonel R.B. Mason.
Another notable year when it comes to these gold coins was 1885, when only 800 coins were minted in the Philadelphia mint. You can easily expect even the lowest of grades of these rare coins to sell significantly higher than some common coins in the Liberty gold coins series.
Which Mints Made Liberty 2.5 Dollar Gold Coins?
1. Philadelphia Mint:
The Philadelphia Mint struck quarter eagle coins from 1796 to 1929. Being the main mint of the US, the largest mintage of these gold coins was undoubtedly in this facility.
2. Dahlonega Mint:
The former branch of the US mint, formed during the Georgia Gold Rush, minted gold coins from 1839 to 1859.
If you own a Dahlonega Mint Liberty gold coin, you might witness a slight greenish tint to the coins. This is because the gold-copper alloy mixture used to make planchets in this minting facility also had some silver.
3. New Orleans Mint:
Late Classic Head 2.5 dollars and early Liberty $2.5 gold coins were minted in this minting facility, i.e., from 1839-1857.
4. Charlotte Mint:
Quarter eagle denominations were struck at Charlotte Mint from 1838 to 1860.
Value of Liberty 2.5 Dollar Gold Coins
The Liberty $2.5 gold coins have a face value of $2.5 dollars, but it would be fair to say that some rare Liberty 2.5 dollars sell up to thousands. As of April 15, 2022, the minimum value of Liberty Head 2.5 gold coins is around $219.
It is imperative that you educate yourself on how to grade and find errors in your coin if you possess and are willing to sell old coins. Even the slightest difference can increase the value of your coin by hundreds.
For Uncirculated coins, we’ve mentioned the estimated value of MS60. But if your coins are graded above MS60, expect your coin’s worth to increase accordingly.
| Liberty Head $2.5 Gold Coins | Very Fine (VF – 20) | Extremely Fine (EF – 40) | Uncirculated (MS60) |
| 1840 | N/A | $809 | $7,475 |
| 1840 – C | $1,645 | $4,250 | $12,500 |
| 1840 – D | $3,680 | $11,000 | $45,000 |
| 1840 – O | $633 | $2,000 | $10,000 |
| 1841 | $95,000 | $140,000 | $475,000 |
| 1841 – C | $2,280 | $3,750 | $20,000 |
| 1841 – D | $2,500 | $7,500 | $30,000 |
| 1842 | N/A | $5,500 | $25,000 |
| 1842 – C | $1,645 | $4,000 | $25,000 |
| 1842 – D | N/A | $6,000 | N/A |
| 1842 – O | $630 | $1,250 | $9,500 |
| 1843 | N/A | $725 | $2,750 |
| 1843 – C (Large Date) | $1,950 | $3000 | $8,000 |
| 1843 – C (Small Date) | $3,600 | $8,500 | $27,500 |
| 1843 – D | $1,600 | $3,000 | $7,000 |
| 1843 – O | $266 | $585 | $2,000 |
| 1844 | N/A | $1,500 | $10,000 |
| 1844 – C | $1,600 | $4,000 | $14,000 |
| 1844 – D | $1,600 | $2,750 | $10,000 |
| 1845 | N/A | $665 | $1,750 |
| 1845 – D | $1,860 | $3,000 | $11,000 |
| 1845 – O | $2,520 | $6,750 | $32,500 |
| 1846 | N/A | $950 | $5,000 |
| 1846 – C | $3,120 | $4,000 | $25,000 |
| 1846 – D | $1,860 | $3,000 | $11,000 |
| 1846 – O | $385 | $800 | $6,500 |
| 1847 | N/A | $750 | $3,500 |
| 1847 – C | N/A | $2,750 | $6,000 |
| 1847 – D | N/A | $2,750 | $10,000 |
| 1847 – O | N/A | $800 | $5,000 |
| 1848 | N/A | $2,000 | $7,000 |
| 1848 (CAL) | $33,600 | $60,000 | $100,000 |
| 1848 – C | N/A | $3,250 | $12,500 |
| 1848 – D | N/A | $3,000 | $10,000 |
| 1849 | N/A | $1,000 | $3,250 |
| 1849 – C | $1,850 | $3,250 | $14,000 |
| 1849 – D | $2,250 | $2,750 | $15,000 |
| 1850 | $585 | $635 | $1,100 |
| 1850 – C | $2,000 | $3,250 | $14,000 |
| 1850 – D | $2,000 | $3,000 | $15,000 |
| 1850 – O | N/A | $850 | $5,000 |
| 1851 | N/A | $585 | $750 |
| 1851 – C | $2,000 | $3,750 | $10,000 |
| 1851 – D | $2,000 | $3,000 | $19,000 |
| 1851 – O | N/A | $750 | $4,500 |
| 1852 | $535 | $585 | $750 |
| 1852 – C | $2,250 | $3,000 | $12,500 |
| 1852 – D | $2,160 | $4,500 | $20,000 |
| 1852 – O | N/A | $775 | $5,250 |
| 1853 | N/A | $585 | $800 |
| 1853 – D | $2,500 | $4,000 | $17,500 |
| 1854 | N/A | $610 | $800 |
| 1854 – C | N/A | $3,250 | $12,500 |
| 1854 – D | N/A | $8,000 | $32,500 |
| 1854 – O | N/A | $725 | $2,250 |
| 1854 – S | $375,000 | $375,000 | N/A |
| 1855 | N/A | $630 | $800 |
| 1855 – C | $3,750 | $4,500 | $20,000 |
| 1855 – D | $10,000 | $14,500 | $32,500 |
| 1856 | N/A | $725 | $900 |
| 1856 – C | N/A | $3,500 | $12,500 |
| 1856 – D | N/A | $25,000 | $100,000 |
| 1856 – O | N/A | $1,250 | $10,000 |
| 1856 – S | N/A | $800 | $4,00 |
| 1857 | N/A | $625 | $750 |
| 1857 – D | N/A | $3,500 | $15,000 |
| 1857 – O | N/A | $900 | $5,000 |
| 1857 – S | N/A | $800 | $4,500 |
| 1858 | $600 | $635 | $1,500 |
| 1858 – C | N/A | $2,750 | $8,000 |
| 1859 | N/A | $650 | $1,750 |
| 1859 – D | N/A | $3,500 | $25,000 |
| 1859 – S | N/A | $1,250 | $6,000 |
| 1860 | N/A | $750 | $1,900 |
| 1860 – C | $2,500 | $3,250 | $15,000 |
| 1860 – S | N/A | $900 | $4,500 |
| 1861 | N/A | $585 | $950 |
| 1861 – S | $800 | $1,500 | $17,000 |
| 1862 | N/A | $800 | $4,500 |
| 1862 – S | $2,500 | $3,750 | $22,500 |
| 1863 – S | $1,700 | $3,500 | $15,000 |
| 1864 | N/A | $45,000 | $150,000 |
| 1865 | $6,000 | $12,500 | $100,000 |
| 1865 – S | $700 | $2,200 | $5,500 |
| 1866 | $1,500 | $5,500 | $17,500 |
| 1866 – S | $375 | $750 | $10,000 |
| 1867 | N/A | $1,250 | $7,500 |
| 1867 – S | $450 | $900 | $5,500 |
| 1868 | N/A | $850 | $3,000 |
| 1868 – S | $500 | $760 | $4,000 |
| 1869 | N/A | $800 | $3,500 |
| 1869 – S | $400 | $900 | $3,000 |
| 1870 | N/A | $750 | $5,000 |
| 1870 – S | 600 | $800 | $5,000 |
| 1871 | N/A | $750 | $2,250 |
| 1871 – S | N/A | $750 | $2,500 |
| 1872 | N/A | $1,600 | $6,000 |
| 1872 – S | $500 | $1,250 | $5,500 |
| 1873 (Closed 3) | N/A | $585 | $725 |
| 1873 (Open 3) | N/A | $585 | $725 |
| 1873 – S | $400 | $650 | $1,750 |
| 1874 | N/A | $800 | $2,500 |
| 1875 | N/A | $13,000 | $37,500 |
| 1875 – S | $300 | $750 | $4,000 |
| 1876 | N/A | $900 | $3,500 |
| 1876 – S | N/A | $800 | $3000 |
| 1877 | N/A | $1,250 | $3,750 |
| 1877 – S | N/A | $585 | $750 |
| 1878 | N/A | $585 | $635 |
| 1878 – S | N/A | $585 | $775 |
| 1879 | N/A | $585 | $700 |
| 1879 – S | $540 | $585 | $2,000 |
| 1880 | N/A | $725 | $1,750 |
| 1881 | $2,500 | $4,500 | $12,500 |
| 1882 | N/A | $675 | $1,500 |
| 1883 | N/A | $1,750 | $7,000 |
| 1884 | N/A | $700 | $2,500 |
| 1885 | N/A | $3,000 | $7,000 |
| 1886 | N/A | $585 | $1,500 |
| 1887 | N/A | $635 | $1,100 |
| 1888 | N/A | $585 | $725 |
| 1889 | N/A | $585 | $850 |
| 1890 | N/A | $585 | $850 |
| 1891 | N/A | $585 | $750 |
| 1892 | N/A | $585 | $1,500 |
| 1893 | N/A | $585 | $675 |
| 1894 | N/A | $585 | $900 |
| 1895 | N/A | $585 | $850 |
| 1896 | N/A | $585 | $635 |
| 1897 | N/A | $585 | $635 |
| 1898 | N/A | $585 | $635 |
| 1899 | N/A | $585 | $635 |
| 1900 | N/A | $585 | $635 |
| 1901 | N/A | $585 | $635 |
| 1902 | N/A | $585 | $635 |
| 1903 | N/A | $585 | $635 |
| 1904 | N/A | $585 | $635 |
| 1905 | N/A | $585 | $635 |
| 1906 | N/A | $585 | $635 |
| 1907 | N/A | $585 | $635 |
Summary
If you’re years deep in your coin-collecting journey or just a beginner, we believe this Liberty $2.5 price guide will be highly beneficial to you if you’re set to buy or sell one of these coins. In case of any queries, please feel free to ask. We’d love to help our fellow coin enthusiasts!
