1854 Liberty Head Quarter Eagle

About This Coin

The 1854 Liberty Head Quarter Eagle is a United States Gold Quarter Eagle from the Liberty Head Quarter Eagles 1840-1907 series — 15th of 68 years in the series. In 1854, coins were struck at the San Francisco, Dahlonega, Charlotte, New Orleans, and Philadelphia Mints with a combined mintage of 758,559. This ranks 64th 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 1854-S with only 246 struck is a legendary rarity — one of the rarest regular-issue U.S. coins. Struck in 90% gold, 10% copper, weighing 4.18 grams, 18 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Collectors have identified one known die variety for this date (retained cud). Across its variants, estimated values range from $948 to $605K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $408K in AU50 grade at Stack's Bowers. Designed by Christian Gobrecht.