1857 Liberty Head Double Eagle

About This Coin

The 1857 Liberty Head Double Eagle is a United States Gold Double Eagle from the Liberty Head Double Eagles 1849-1907 series — an early issue, 9th of 59 years in the series. In 1857, coins were struck at the Philadelphia, San Francisco, and New Orleans Mints with a combined mintage of 1.4 million. This ranks 30th of 58 years by total mintage, above the series median of 1.4 million. 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 surrounded by a glory of rays. The SS Central America sank carrying thousands of 1857-S double eagles, many recovered in pristine condition beginning in 1988. Struck in 90% gold, 10% copper, weighing 33.4 grams, 34 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Across its variants, estimated values range from $5.0K to $341K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $173K in MS62 grade at Heritage Auctions. Designed by James Barton Longacre.