With a mere 246 pieces produced, the 1854-S Liberty Quarter Eagle (Buy on eBay) ranks as one of the lowest mintage regular issue United States coins. This issue also represents one of the first products of the San Francisco Mint, created in direct response to the California gold rush.
Not a single example of the 1854-S Quarter Eagle was known until the first specimen was discovered in 1910. Since the initial discovery, additional specimens have been located, resulting in approximately one dozen pieces known to exist. Apparently, after the small mintage was produced, all pieces quietly entered circulation where they remained for many years. This is supported by the fact that all known specimens are in circulated grades.
The finest known 1854-S Quarter Eagle is the example from the Harry W. Bass collection graded PCGS AU-50, which sold for $384,000 in 2020.
Coin Specifications
- Designer: Christian Gobrecht
- Composition: 90% Gold, 10% Copper
- Weight: 4.18 grams
- Diameter: 18 mm
- Edge: Reeded
