1860 Liberty Head Eagle

About This Coin

The 1860 Liberty Head Eagle is a United States Gold Eagle from the Liberty Head Eagles 1838-1907 series — 23rd of 70 years in the series. In 1860, coins were struck at the San Francisco, Philadelphia, and New Orleans Mints with a combined mintage of 31,205. This ranks 17th of 70 years by total mintage, below the series median of 197,849. 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. Last New Orleans eagles before the Civil War. San Francisco production was strong. Struck in gold, weighing 16.7 grams, 26.8 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Produced 4 years before the celebrated 1864 key date. Across its variants, estimated values range from $2.5K to $81K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $259K in PR65 grade at Kagin's. Designed by Christian Gobrecht.