1881 $2.50 (Regular Strike)

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

PCGS MS63+

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PCGS MS63

PCGS MS62

PCGS #:: 7833

Designer:: Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 18.00 millimeters

Weight:: 4.18 grams

Mintage:: 640

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $45,600 • MS63+ • 11-08-2017 • Stack's Bowers

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Major Varieties

1881 $2.50
1881 $2.50, PL

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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	100	R-8.0	32 / 147 TIE	32 / 147 TIE
60 or Better	20	R-9.1	87 / 147 TIE	87 / 147 TIE
65 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 147	1 / 147

Survival Estimate
All Grades	100
60 or Better	20
65 or Better

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-8.0
60 or Better	R-9.1
65 or Better	R-10.1

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	32 / 147 TIE
60 or Better	87 / 147 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 147

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	32 / 147 TIE
60 or Better	87 / 147 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 147

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS63+ PCGS grade	Jerome Kern Collection - B. Max Mehl 6/1950:70 - Stack's/Bowers 11/2017:10140, $45,600
2	MS63 estimated grade
3	MS62 PCGS grade	Heritage 5/2009:1542, $12,650
3	MS62 PCGS grade	Bowers & Merena 8/2010:1580, $12,650 - Stack's/Bowers 8/2011:7620, $11,212.50
3	MS62 PCGS grade
3	MS62 PCGS grade
3	MS62 PCGS grade
8	MS61 PCGS grade
8	MS61 PCGS grade
8	MS61 PCGS grade

#1 MS63+ PCGS grade

Jerome Kern Collection - B. Max Mehl 6/1950:70 - Stack's/Bowers 11/2017:10140, $45,600

#2 MS63 estimated grade

#3 MS62 PCGS grade

Heritage 5/2009:1542, $12,650

#3 MS62 PCGS grade

Bowers & Merena 8/2010:1580, $12,650 - Stack's/Bowers 8/2011:7620, $11,212.50

#3 MS62 PCGS grade

#8 MS61 PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

The 1881 Quarter Eagle is one of the rarest and most popular dates in the series. Our experts estimate that fewer than 100 examples are still in existence. As a result, this date is also one of the most expensive Liberty Head Quarter Eagles.

Years ago, David Akers wrote that he was unaware of any full Mint State 1881 Quarter Eagles. In subsequent years, a number of low-end Mint State examples have shown up on the Population Reports, mostly in MS61 and MS62. A standout 1881 Quarter Eagle is the PCGS MS63+ that was once called a Proof in B. Max Mehl's sale of the Jerome Kern collection way back in 1950.

Because there are so many Prooflike 1881 Quarter Eagles, certification is a must to determine if a particular coin is Proof or Mint State.

David Akers (1975/88): A very popular and rare date with one of the lowest mintages in the entire series. In fact, the 1881 has the third lowest regular mintage of any Liberty Head quarter eagle. The 1881 quarter eagle is significantly more rare than the more popular $3 gold piece of the same date, particularly in high grade. I have never seen a full mint state 1881 and even most of the "AU" pieces I've seen were really impaired proofs, rather than high grade circulation strikes. In my experience, business strikes in all grades are more rare than proofs or impaired proofs, and are very underrated.