1867-S Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Quarter Eagle – Key Date U.S. Gold Coin from San Francisco Mint, NGC XF
The 1867-S $2.50 Liberty Gold Quarter Eagle is a standout rarity in the world of 19th-century U.S. gold coinage. Minted during the post–Civil War era at the historic San Francisco Mint, this low-mintage coin is recognized as a key date in the Liberty Head Quarter Eagle series. Certified by NGC as Extremely Fine (XF), this example offers collectors a scarce opportunity to secure a genuine piece of Western U.S. monetary history.
You can explore the 1867-S $2.50 Liberty Gold Quarter Eagle – NGC XF here.
🏛️ The Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin Series
The Liberty Head Quarter Eagle was produced from 1840 to 1907, making it one of the longest-running U.S. gold coin types. Designed by Christian Gobrecht, the $2.50 Liberty features a portrait of Lady Liberty on the obverse and an American eagle with shield on the reverse.
What sets the 1867-S issue apart is its extremely limited mintage and challenging survival rate. Only 8,000 coins were struck at the San Francisco Mint that year—a remarkably low number compared to other years in the series. Very few of these coins survived in collectible condition, especially with strong details and pleasing surfaces.
📌 Coin Specifications
- Country: United States
- Year: 1867
- Mint: San Francisco (S mintmark)
- Denomination: $2.50 (Quarter Eagle)
- Design: Liberty Head (Coronet)
- Composition: 90% Gold
- Weight: 4.18 grams
- Diameter: 18 mm
- Obverse: Liberty wearing coronet, 13 stars, and date
- Reverse: Heraldic eagle with shield and denomination
- Grade: NGC XF (Extremely Fine Details)
💎 Why the 1867-S $2.50 Liberty Gold Quarter Eagle Is a Key Date
The 1867-S $2.50 Liberty Gold Quarter Eagle is widely recognized as one of the toughest dates in the entire series. Low original mintage and heavy circulation in the western U.S. economy led to a steep attrition rate. Most surviving examples are heavily worn or damaged, making any certified XF example a significant find.
This coin reflects a period when gold was actively used in commerce in California and the American West. Coins from the San Francisco Mint, especially in the 1860s, often show unique striking characteristics and were handled roughly due to high demand and constant circulation.
Owning this key date coin not only fills a critical slot in a Liberty Head set—it also connects collectors to an era of westward expansion and early American gold commerce.
🌍 Collector and Investor Appeal
The 1867-S issue appeals to a variety of collector groups:
- U.S. gold coin type collectors
- Liberty Head Quarter Eagle set builders
- Key date specialists
- Collectors of San Francisco Mint issues
- Investors in rare early American gold
Due to its rarity, this coin is expensive and highly desirable, especially in certified and problem-free grades. NGC’s certification ensures authenticity, grade consistency, and long-term preservation.
📈 Long-Term Value
This coin’s combination of rarity, historical value, and San Francisco origin make it a strong candidate for long-term appreciation. As more collectors pursue complete gold type sets, key date coins like the 1867-S $2.50 Liberty will continue to rise in importance.
Very few pieces are available in XF or better, and most examples are held tightly in private collections. When one surfaces with solid detail and certification, it tends to disappear quickly.
🔚 Final Thoughts
The 1867-S $2.50 Liberty Gold Quarter Eagle is a powerful artifact from the American West. It represents a unique moment in U.S. history when gold coins were circulating daily in San Francisco and the surrounding frontier. With its low mintage, high rarity, and strong collector interest, this coin is essential for serious students of U.S. gold.
🔗 Click here to view or acquire the 1867-S $2.50 Liberty Gold Quarter Eagle – NGC XF