Coin
2½ Dollars "Coronet Head - Quarter Eagle" (1851) — United States
United States • 1851 • KM# 72, PCGS# 1817, 7717-7732, etc.
Overview
A gold 2½ Dollars coin of the United States from 1851, minted with the O mintmark at the New Orleans Mint. Designed by Christian Gobrecht, it was produced with a mintage of 148,000 pieces in .900 fine gold.
Specifications
- Country
- United States
- Year
- 1851
- 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
Obverse
A coronet head left with the date below and 13 stars around the rim representing the original 13 colonies Script: Latin Lettering: LIBERTY 1907 Engraver: Christian Gobrecht
Reverse
Eagle with arrows and olive branch in talons Script: Latin Lettering: ·UNITED STATES OF AMERICA· 2½ D. Engraver: Christian Gobrecht
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 148,000. 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.
Related pieces
More from United States
Other 2½ Dollars "Coronet Head - Quarter Eagle" issues
- 1907 2½ Dollars "Coronet Head - Quarter Eagle" — United States
- 1907 2½ Dollars "Coronet Head - Quarter Eagle" — United States
- 1906 2½ Dollars "Coronet Head - Quarter Eagle" — United States
- 1906 2½ Dollars "Coronet Head - Quarter Eagle" — United States
- 1905 2½ Dollars "Coronet Head - Quarter Eagle" — United States
- 1905 2½ Dollars "Coronet Head - Quarter Eagle" — United States
Explore more
Browse more items in the full catalog or view United States in the country guide.