1857 Liberty Head Quarter Eagle

About This Coin

The 1857 Liberty Head Quarter Eagle is a United States Gold Quarter Eagle from the Liberty Head Quarter Eagles 1840-1907 series. The obverse features Liberty facing left wearing a coronet inscribed LIBERTY, while the reverse displays a heraldic eagle with shield on breast, olive branch and arrows in talons, with a banner reading E PLURIBUS UNUM. Designed by Christian Gobrecht. Struck in 90% gold, 10% copper, weighing 4.18 grams, 18 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. The Liberty Head (Coronet) Quarter Eagle was the longest-running gold coin design in U.S. history, produced for 68 years. It survived the Civil War, western expansion, and the Gilded Age. Southern branch mints in Charlotte, Dahlonega, and New Orleans all produced the coin before the Civil War interrupted their operations. Charlotte (C) and Dahlonega (D) mint marks are collected as separate specialties. The 1854-S (only 246 struck) is a legendary rarity. The 1848 CAL. countermark coins were struck from California Gold Rush bullion.