1873 Liberty Head Double Eagle

About This Coin

The 1873 Liberty Head Double Eagle is a United States Gold Double Eagle from the Liberty Head Double Eagles 1849-1907 series — 25th of 59 years in the series. In 1873, coins were struck at the Carson City, Philadelphia, and San Francisco Mints with a combined mintage of 5.5 million. This ranks 56th 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 Coinage Act of 1873 reformed U.S. monetary policy, reinforcing the gold standard. Struck in 90% gold, 10% copper, weighing 33.4 grams, 34 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Collectors have identified 2 known die varieties for this date, including doubled die obverse, doubled die reverse. Across its variants, estimated values range from $4.9K to $190K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $138K in MS63 grade at Goldberg Auctioneers. Designed by James Barton Longacre.