1859 Liberty Head Quarter Eagle

About This Coin

The 1859 Liberty Head Quarter Eagle is a United States Gold Quarter Eagle from the Liberty Head Quarter Eagles 1840-1907 series — 20th of 68 years in the series. In 1859, coins were struck at the Philadelphia, Dahlonega, and San Francisco Mints with a combined mintage of 135,616. This ranks 49th 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. Small mintages at Philadelphia and San Francisco; the denomination was declining in commercial importance. 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 $50K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $132K in MS62 grade at Stack's Bowers. Designed by Christian Gobrecht.