2½ Dollars "Coronet Head - Quarter Eagle" (1843) — United States

Overview

A standard business strike gold 2½ Dollars "Coronet Head - Quarter Eagle" coin of the United States, minted in 1843 (small date variety) at the United States Mint of New Orleans. Engineered by Christian Gobrecht, it features a coronet head of Liberty on the obverse and an eagle with arrows and olive branch on the reverse. Struck with a reeded edge and coin alignment. This issue had a mintage of 288,002 pieces.

Specifications

Country

United States

Year

1843

Composition

Gold (.900) (.100 copper)

Weight

4.18 g

Diameter

18 mm

Mint

United States Mint of New Orleans

Mintmark

O

Shape

Round

Technique

Milled

References

KM# 72, PCGS# 1817, 7717-7732, etc.

Issuer

United States

Design details

Collector insights

• Design heritage: Christian Gobrecht is credited as the designer for the Standard circulation coins series. Designer attribution helps distinguish this issue from later restrikes or unofficial copies that reuse only the motif.
• Struck at: United States Mint of New Orleans (mintmark O). Confirm the mintmark on your example before comparing prices — same-year issues from different mints often trade at very different levels.
• Mintage vs. survival: A moderate mintage of 288,002. Grade rarity is usually the driver of value here — mid-grade circulated pieces are common, but original-surface uncirculated coins can command a strong premium.
• Gold issue: Gold (.900) (.100 copper) — bullion demand competes with numismatic demand. Weight and fineness (not just face value) drive the melt-value floor.
• Catalogue reference: Listed as KM# 72, PCGS# 1817, 7717-7732, etc.. Use this reference code when cross-checking auction archives, dealer inventories, and standard printed catalogues.

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