Liberty Head $2.50 gold quarter eagle (1840–1907) melt value
The Liberty Head quarter eagle is a US $2.50 gold coin made from 1840 to 1907. It is 90% gold and holds about one-eighth of a troy ounce of pure gold. Like other pre-1933 US gold, it often sells above its melt value, and early dates, branch-mint coins and coins in top condition can be worth much more, so ask a coin dealer for a collector price before selling it for its gold. Here's what the gold inside is worth at today's live price.
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How do I know if my liberty head $2.50 gold quarter eagle is gold?
The front shows Liberty facing left, wearing a coronet with the word LIBERTY, surrounded by 13 stars. The back shows an eagle with a shield on its chest and the denomination "2 1/2 D." at the bottom. It is small: 18 mm across, about the size of a dime, and weighs about 4.18 grams. Branch-mint coins have a small C (Charlotte), D (Dahlonega), O (New Orleans) or S (San Francisco) mint mark on the back, below the eagle and above the denomination; Philadelphia coins have none. The 1841 and 1854-S are great rarities, and coins with "CAL." stamped above the eagle (1848) are very valuable. Dates from 1902 to 1907 are the most plentiful. It was replaced in 1908 by the Indian Head quarter eagle.
Why does a dealer pay less than melt value?
Dealers need room to cover refining, shipping and resale costs, so most pay a percentage of melt value for common-date coins.
Is it legal to melt coins?
US rules prohibit melting one-cent and five-cent coins. That rule does not cover dimes, quarters, half dollars, dollars or bullion coins. Most people sell coins whole to a dealer rather than melting them.