1847 $2.50 AU58 Certification #84991701, PCGS #7744

Owner's Comments

Mintage 29,814, 35th Anniversary Holder

Expert Comments

Charles Morgan

The Philadelphia Mint and all three branch Mints struck Liberty Head Quarter Eagles in 1847. Production figures varied significantly:

  • Output was up slightly at the Philadelphia and Charlotte Mints.
  • Mintage was down by about 18% at Dahlonega.
  • Production surged at New Orleans, nearly doubling year-to-year, an increase primarily due to the mobilization of troops engaged in the Mexican-American War.

On paper, it would seem that the 1847-C Liberty Head Quarter Eagle (#7745) would be the scarcest of the four issues. However, the PCGS grading data offers a counter-narrative: The 1847-D (#7746) often trades at even higher premiums than the Charlotte coin despite having nearly double the reported census data. Given that the 1847-P has the lowest grading census, a central question remains: Why does the Philadelphia Mint issue consistently sell for less?

Collectible Die Variety

A popular collectible variety of the 1847 Liberty Head Quarter Eagle displays repunched digits in the "18" of the date. First documented in a 1951 New Netherlands auction, the most visible doubling occurs at the base of the "1," which contacts the denticles. 

 

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PCGS #
7744
Designer
Christian Gobrecht
Edge
Reeded
Diameter
18.00 millimeters
Weight
4.18 grams
Mintage
29814
Metal
90% Gold, 10% Copper
Pop Higher
19
Pop Lower
78
Region
The United States of America
Price Guide
PCGS Population
Auctions - PCGS Graded
Auctions - NGC Graded

Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades
65 or Better 125 R-7.7 48 / 147 TIE 48 / 147 TIE
All Grades 12 R-9.5 57 / 147 TIE 57 / 147 TIE
60 or Better 0 R-10.1 1 / 147 1 / 147
65 or Better 125
All Grades 12
60 or Better 0
65 or Better R-7.7
All Grades R-9.5
60 or Better R-10.1
65 or Better 48 / 147 TIE
All Grades 57 / 147 TIE
60 or Better 1 / 147
65 or Better 48 / 147 TIE
All Grades 57 / 147 TIE
60 or Better 1 / 147

Condition Census Learn More

Pos Grade Thumbnail Pedigree and History
1 PCGS MS64
2 PCGS MS63

As PCGS MS62 #05912247. Heritage, December 18, 2007, Lot 11948 - $5,175; Heritage, September 28, 2007, Lot 3211 - $4,887.50. As PCGS MS62 #11522951. Heritage, June 27, 2008, Lot 1820 - $4,743.75; Heritage April 30, 2010, Lot 3452 - $4,600; Heritage, January 6, 2012, Lot 6112 - $4,600. As PCGS MS63 #25205024. Heritage, June 15, 2018, Lot 5023 - $14,493.60. Diagonal cut on eye brow. Thin vertical scratch to the left of the ear. Horizontal tick from tip of star 1 towards neck. Two thin diagonal scratches below the jaw.

3 PCGS MS62+

"The R.L. Miles Collection," Stack's, October 1968, Lot 137. As PCGS MS62 #3459315. "The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection,"  Bowers and Merena, October 1999, Lot 395 - $7,475; Heritage, July 29, 2002, Lot 8950 - $3,565"The Charleston Collection," American Numismatic Rarities, September 18, 2005, Lot 1101 - $6,900. As PCGS MS62+. "The Early Aurum Collection," Heritage, May 5, 2023, Lot 5032 - $6,300. Repunched 18. Lustrous, almost PL surfaces. Frosty devices.  Die crack through arrow fletching and stem to the numerator.

3 PCGS MS62+ PCGS MS62+

As ICG MS63. Stack's, September 13, 2003, Lot 447 - $4,140; "The Steve Studor Collection," Stack's Bowers, March 26, 2021, Lot 5672 - $3,840. As PCGS MS62+ #42163206. "OldGoldIsMoney" (PCGS Set Registry). Thin cut to the left of star 2. On the reverse, Spot between 4 and 7 of the date. On the reverse, there is a small spot above the branch. Eagle’s right leg weak.

5 PCGS MS62 PCGS MS62

Green spot within the counter of 4. Scattered toning on the reverse. dark toning at the tip of the top arrow.

#1 PCGS MS64
#2 PCGS MS63

As PCGS MS62 #05912247. Heritage, December 18, 2007, Lot 11948 - $5,175; Heritage, September 28, 2007, Lot 3211 - $4,887.50. As PCGS MS62 #11522951. Heritage, June 27, 2008, Lot 1820 - $4,743.75; Heritage April 30, 2010, Lot 3452 - $4,600; Heritage, January 6, 2012, Lot 6112 - $4,600. As PCGS MS63 #25205024. Heritage, June 15, 2018, Lot 5023 - $14,493.60. Diagonal cut on eye brow. Thin vertical scratch to the left of the ear. Horizontal tick from tip of star 1 towards neck. Two thin diagonal scratches below the jaw.

#3 PCGS MS62+

"The R.L. Miles Collection," Stack's, October 1968, Lot 137. As PCGS MS62 #3459315. "The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection,"  Bowers and Merena, October 1999, Lot 395 - $7,475; Heritage, July 29, 2002, Lot 8950 - $3,565"The Charleston Collection," American Numismatic Rarities, September 18, 2005, Lot 1101 - $6,900. As PCGS MS62+. "The Early Aurum Collection," Heritage, May 5, 2023, Lot 5032 - $6,300. Repunched 18. Lustrous, almost PL surfaces. Frosty devices.  Die crack through arrow fletching and stem to the numerator.

PCGS MS62+ #3 PCGS MS62+

As ICG MS63. Stack's, September 13, 2003, Lot 447 - $4,140; "The Steve Studor Collection," Stack's Bowers, March 26, 2021, Lot 5672 - $3,840. As PCGS MS62+ #42163206. "OldGoldIsMoney" (PCGS Set Registry). Thin cut to the left of star 2. On the reverse, Spot between 4 and 7 of the date. On the reverse, there is a small spot above the branch. Eagle’s right leg weak.

PCGS MS62 #5 PCGS MS62

Green spot within the counter of 4. Scattered toning on the reverse. dark toning at the tip of the top arrow.