The 1883 Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coins produced less than 2,000 coins, all at the Philadelphia mint. As with all pre-1933 coins they are much scarcer today due to melting, a fate that most gold coins would face during the 20th century. The 1883 Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coins were designed by Christian Gobrecht. He served as the U.S. Mint’s chief engraver and is also well noted as the designer of Seated Liberty coinage, which ran from the late 1830s through 1891.
The 1883 Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coins are over a century year old, and due to its age these coins may have some age-related wear and tear on their surfaces. Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coins can, however, still be found in brilliant, uncirculated condition. Such coins look fresh off the mint’s presses, and coins in this condition may be more valuable.
When collectors are considering the purchase of a coin as old as the 1883 Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin, their primary concern almost always lies with the condition in which the coin is in. Because these coins are so old and have been circulated quite a bit, they are often in poor condition.
Officially having a coin’s condition judged is something known as grading, and is a process typically reserved for completion by a professional company. Understanding that not everyone can afford to have their coins graded, we have provided some basic specifications below.
Uncirculated: As the name of the grade insinuates, these coins were never circulated and never exchanged hands on the open market. Because they were so well-preserved through the years, these coins have retained all of their imagery and even some of the shine from the luster that was applied at the time of minting. Naturally, these are the most sought after pieces in the eyes of collectors.
Extremely Fine: This is the grade given to Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coins that are in decent overall condition. Though they have been circulated a bit, these coins have retained much of their texture and imagery, and really don’t take on the look of a coin that is over 100 years old. All in all, these pieces have been fairly well-preserved.
Fine: A coin that is graded to be Fine is one that saw a good amount of time in circulation and shows it too. The texture of this coin will have been worn down due to the exchanging of hands over the years, but the major features will still be able to be seen quite easily with the naked eye.
Good: This is the grade given to those coins that were heavily damaged during their time in circulation. These are the coins that stayed in circulation for multiple decades and, as a result, have suffered considerable wear. On these small coins, the imagery and inscriptions will be quite difficult to make out and the coin will generally appear old and used.
When it comes to determining a price for the 1883 Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin, it is safe to say that the condition it is in means everything. Because these coins are so old and no others are being found, the price you will pay will directly coincide with its condition. Below is a chart aimed at giving you a better idea as to what the 1883 Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin is valued at given its grade.
Liberty Head $2.5 Gold Coin
DATE | GOOD | FINE | EXTREMELY FINE | UNCIRCULATED |
---|---|---|---|---|
1883 Liberty Head $2.5 Gold Coin | N/A | N/A | $450 | $900 | Source: Red Book |