1859 $2.50 New Reverse (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head $2 1/2 1840-1907

PCGS MS66

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PCGS MS64

PCGS #:: 7788

Designer:: Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 18.00 millimeters

Weight:: 4.18 grams

Mintage:: 39,364

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $21,850 • MS67 • 01-09-1998 • Heritage Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (2)

Major Varieties

1859 $2.50 New Reverse
1859 $2.50 Old Reverse

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Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts' opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity By Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity By Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
All Grades	150	R-7.5	58 / 147 TIE	58 / 147 TIE
60 or Better	30	R-8.9	95 / 147 TIE	95 / 147 TIE
65 or Better	5	R-9.7	36 / 147 TIE	36 / 147 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	150
60 or Better	30
65 or Better	5

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-7.5
60 or Better	R-8.9
65 or Better	R-9.7

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	58 / 147 TIE
60 or Better	95 / 147 TIE
65 or Better	36 / 147 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	58 / 147 TIE
60 or Better	95 / 147 TIE
65 or Better	36 / 147 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS66 PCGS grade
1	MS66 PCGS grade
1	MS66 estimated grade	Heritage 1/1998:7580, $21,850
4	MS65 PCGS grade
5	MS64 PCGS grade
5	MS64 estimated grade
5	MS64 estimated grade
8	MS63 PCGS grade
8	MS63 PCGS grade
8	MS63 PCGS grade

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

#1 MS66 estimated grade

Heritage 1/1998:7580, $21,850

#4 MS65 PCGS grade

#5 MS64 PCGS grade

#5 MS64 estimated grade

#8 MS63 PCGS grade

David Akers (1975/88): The 1859 has the lowest mintage of any Philadelphia Mint quarter eagle of the 1850's. It is moderately scarce in all grades and really quite rare in choice uncirculated condition. In 1859, reverse dies were prepared from a new hub. The letters are smaller and more widely spaced than they are on the issues from 1840 to 1958 and the arrowheads are noticeably smaller. There are also differences in the shape of the claws, olive branch, and wing tips. This "new" design was used until the Liberty Head type was discontinued in 1907. A very interesting uniface die trial of this new reverse exists and was sold in Lester Merkin's October 1973 sale.

Gordon Wrubel: Quickfinder Notes: There is a very simple way to distinguish the New Reverse from the Old Reverse. Just look at the "O" in "OF". The New Reverse has a ROUND "O" and the Old Reverse has an OVAL "O". The branch mint issues from Dahlonega and San Francisco ( none were issued by the Charlotte Mint in 1859), all use the Old Reverse die. While very scarce, the 1861 New Reverse has has about twice as many survivors as the Old Reverse.