Liberty Head Quarter Eagles
The series of Liberty Head Quarter Eagles represents the longest running design for the $2.50 denomination. The coins were struck for more than six decades from 1840 until 1907. Specifications for the coin match the preceding the subsequent series, although the number of facilities used to strike the coins was much greater.
On the obverse design is a depiction of Liberty facing left and surrounded by thirteen stars. The date appears below and the word “Liberty” is inscribed on the coronet with hair lightly bound. The reverse features a more ornithologically correct bald eagle, in heraldic form with a shield at its chest and three arrows and an olive branch in its talons. The inscription “United States of America” surround with the denomination “2 1/2 D.” below.
Production for the Liberty Quarter Eagle took place at the Philadelphia Mint, the San Francisco Mint after its establishment in 1854, and the southern mints located at Charlotte, Dahlonega, and New Orleans. All issues were struck in a composition of 90% gold and 10% copper, with net gold content of 0.12094 troy ounces. The coins have a weight of 4.18 grams and diameter of 18 mm. Included in the long running series are several notable rarities like the proof-only 1841 and 1863 issues, and low mintage 1854-S and 1875.
Liberty Head Quarter Eagle Coin Specifications
| Dates: | 1840-1907 |
| Mints: | Philadelphia |
| Charlotte | |
| Dahlonega | |
| New Orleans | |
| San Francisco | |
| Composition: | 90% gold |
| 10% copper | |
| Weight: | 4.18 grams |
| Diameter: | 18 mm |