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 — 18th of 68 years in the series. In 1857, coins were struck at the New Orleans, San Francisco, Dahlonega, and Philadelphia Mints with a combined mintage of 319,699. This ranks 58th 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. Only Philadelphia and San Francisco struck quarter eagles as Southern branch mint production wound down. 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 $948 to $71K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $141K in PR65 grade at Heritage Auctions. Designed by Christian Gobrecht.