1872 Liberty Head Quarter Eagle

About This Coin

The 1872 Liberty Head Quarter Eagle is a United States Gold Quarter Eagle from the Liberty Head Quarter Eagles 1840-1907 series — 33rd of 68 years in the series. In 1872, coins were struck at the Philadelphia and San Francisco Mints with a combined mintage of 21,030. This ranks 24th of 68 years by total mintage, below the series median of 36,397. The obverse features Liberty facing left wearing a coronet inscribed LIBERTY and the reverse displays a heraldic eagle with shield on breast, olive branch and arrows in talons, with a banner reading E PLURIBUS UNUM. A low-mintage year; gold coins circulated primarily in the West where they were preferred over greenbacks. Struck in 90% gold, 10% copper, weighing 4.18 grams, 18 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Produced 9 years before the celebrated 1881 key date. Across its variants, estimated values range from $948 to $19K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $39K in PR65 grade at David Akers. Designed by Christian Gobrecht.