1849 $2 1/2 Liberty PCGS MS62

Introduction

The 1849 $2.50 Liberty Gold Quarter Eagle graded PCGS MS62 is a remarkable survivor from the early years of the Liberty Head Quarter Eagle series. Certified by Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), this Mint State example exhibits strong original luster, well-defined design details, and attractive overall eye appeal. Struck during one of the most transformative periods in American history, the coin represents an important piece of pre-1850 United States gold coinage and an outstanding addition to any classic numismatic collection.

History

The Liberty Head Quarter Eagle was introduced in 1840, replacing the Classic Head design and beginning a series that would remain in production for nearly seventy years. Designed by Chief Engraver Christian Gobrecht, the denomination played an essential role in American commerce during the nation's westward expansion, the California Gold Rush, and the rapid economic growth of the nineteenth century.

The 1849 issue was struck at the Philadelphia Mint during the same historic year Congress authorized the nation's first Gold Dollar and $20 Double Eagle in response to the discovery of gold in California. Although many Quarter Eagles entered circulation, Mint State survivors are significantly scarcer today. A PCGS MS62 example offers collectors an attractive balance of originality, historical importance, and affordability within the Liberty Head series.

Design

The obverse features a left-facing portrait of Liberty wearing a coronet inscribed with LIBERTY. Thirteen stars representing the original colonies surround the portrait, while the date appears below. Christian Gobrecht's elegant depiction of Liberty became one of the defining images of nineteenth-century American gold coinage.

The reverse showcases a heraldic eagle with outstretched wings holding an olive branch and arrows, symbolizing the nation's desire for peace while maintaining the strength to defend itself. The inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and 2½ D. complete the classic reverse design, which remained largely unchanged throughout the Liberty Quarter Eagle series.