A Golden Piece of American History

1840 $2.50 Liberty Head Gold Quarter Eagle AU55 NGC

A First-Year Issue • Historic U.S. Gold • Limited Survival

Imagine owning a genuine gold coin struck nearly two centuries ago, during an era when America's monetary system was still taking shape. The 1840 Liberty Head Quarter Eagle offers collectors a remarkable combination of historical significance, classic design, and enduring numismatic appeal.

This is more than a gold coin. It is a tangible artifact from the early years of American coinage.

Historic Significance

The year 1840 marked the introduction of Christian Gobrecht's Liberty Head design on the $2.50 gold quarter eagle. This iconic design became one of the longest-running motifs in American gold coinage, remaining in use through 1907.

The obverse features Liberty wearing a coronet inscribed LIBERTY, surrounded by thirteen stars representing the original colonies. The reverse displays the heraldic eagle, shield, olive branch, and arrows—powerful symbols of the young nation's identity.

As a first-year-of-issue example, the 1840 carries special appeal for collectors assembling classic U.S. gold type sets or pursuing early Liberty Head issues.

Mintage and Rarity

• Date: 1840
• Denomination: $2.50 Gold Quarter Eagle
• Mint: Philadelphia
• Original mintage: 18,859 coins
• Composition: 90% gold, 10% copper
• Weight: Approximately 4.18 grams
• Diameter: Approximately 18 mm
• Certification: NGC AU55