1848 Liberty Head Quarter Eagle

About This Coin

The 1848 Liberty Head Quarter Eagle is a United States Gold Quarter Eagle from the Liberty Head Quarter Eagles 1840-1907 series — an early issue, 9th of 68 years in the series. In 1848, coins were struck at the Charlotte, Dahlonega, and Philadelphia Mints with a combined mintage of 39,450. This ranks 37th of 68 years by total mintage, above the series median of 36,397. The obverse features Liberty facing left wearing a coronet inscribed LIBERTY and the reverse displays a heraldic eagle with shield on breast, olive branch and arrows in talons, with a banner reading E PLURIBUS UNUM. The 1848 CAL. countermark coins, struck from the first California Gold Rush bullion received at the Philadelphia Mint, are highly prized. Struck in 90% gold, 10% copper, weighing 4.18 grams, 18 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Across its variants, estimated values range from $3.4K to $188K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $552K in MS64 grade at Heritage Auctions. Designed by Christian Gobrecht.