1898 Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin

The 1898 Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coins are widely collected coins that both numismatists and bullion investors enjoy buying for their collections and portfolios. The U.S. Mint struck 24,000 1898 gold coins, only a fraction remain today in the coin market. That means they are much scarcer than even the already low mintage figures would suggest. This is the situation with most pre-1933 U.S. coins, which were melted in large numbers throughout the 20th century, particularly after the United States left the gold standard.

The last decade of the Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin series is known as the less expensive issues, making the gold coin more attractive to investors who enjoy pre-1933 U.S. gold coins. Christian Gobrecht designed the Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin, he also served as the U.S. Mint’s chief engraver in the early 1840s.

Grading the 1898 Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin

Collectors come in many shapes and sizes, but a universal fact is that all of them prefer their coins to be in the best possible condition. You will find that collectors, before buying a particular coin, will carefully analyze every aspect of it to ensure that they are getting their hands on an excellent piece.

Normally, someone who would like to have the condition of a coin judged would send the piece away for grading. Realistically, however, not everyone has the funds and time to send their coins away for grading, so we have provided below a bit of an outline that will hopefully better describe what kind of characteristics coins of specific grades will have.

Uncirculated: A Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin that is graded as being Uncirculated is one that never saw any time exchanging hands. These coins appear to be in perfect condition because they were put into safekeeping shortly after the time they were minted. These coins are the most desirable because of their excellent condition, but are also some of the most expensive for that same exact reason.

Extremely Fine: A coin that is given this grade is one that was circulated for only a very short period of time. Though some light wear and tear may be able to be noticed under close inspection, these coins appear to have been well-preserved. All of the notable imagery and raised aspects of the coin are intact, giving the coin particular appeal to collectors.

Fine: A coin that is graded to be Fine has been through plenty of circulation, but did not incur an exorbitant amount of damage during that time. These coins will show some light wear and tear around the raised aspects of the coin, but that wear will be light in nature. Scratching is also common on these coins, but it will also be light more often than not.

Good: This is the grade given to those coins that have been circulated more than any other. These coins will be complete with heavy wear and visible signs of damage. The damage found on the faces of these coins can vary dramatically, but includes anything from scratching, to chipping, and, on occasion, actual bending of the coin.

Pricing the 1898 Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin

When it comes to determining the price of an 1898 Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin, you really do not need to look too far beyond the condition. Most 1898 Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coins have been damaged, but those that have been well-preserved are going to fetch a significantly higher price than those that have been extremely damaged. Below is a chart aimed at giving you a better idea as to what you might be asked to pay for an 1898 Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin, given its grade.

Liberty Head $2.5 Gold Coin

DATE	GOOD	FINE	EXTREMELY FINE	UNCIRCULATED
1898 Liberty Head $2.5 Gold Coin	N/A	N/A	$340	$350
Source: Red Book