1886 Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Quarter Eagle Coin

1886 Liberty Head $2.50 quarter eagle gold coins are popular collectibles that numismatists enjoy pursuing. While the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia made some 4,000 of these coins, far fewer exist today, meaning they’re relatively scarce. This is the case with most pre-1933 U.S. coins, which were melted in great numbers during the 20th century, and especially after the nation left the gold standard.

The approximate value of 1886 Liberty Head $2.50 gold quarter eagle coins in a grade of Very Fine-20 is $656 , while uncirculated pieces sell for around $1,250 and up. 1886 quarter eagles are made from a standard “coin gold” composition of 90 percent gold and 10 percent copper and weigh 4.18 grams, and they contain 0.1202 ounces of gold. These quarter eagles have a diameter of 18 millimeters, which makes them about the same size as a modern U.S. dime. While these gold coins are small, they are quite popular with those who invest in bullion coins.

1886 quarter eagle gold coins were designed by engraver Christian Gobrecht, who also served as the U.S. Mint’s chief engraver in the early 1840s. He is perhaps most well known for having designed Seated Liberty silver coinage, which was produced from the late 1830s through 1891.