Description:
Offered here is an 1873 Liberty Head Quarter Eagle ($2.50 gold coin), certified AU58 by NGC and bearing the “Closed 3” date variety. This beautiful near-Mint State example exhibits satiny luster, sharp detail, and only the slightest trace of rub on the high points. As one of the final 19th-century gold coin issues prior to the Gold Depression of the 1870s, it stands as both a low-mintage survivor and a popular variety among Liberty gold specialists.
Specifications:
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Denomination: $2.50 Quarter Eagle
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Year of Issue: 1873
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Variety: Closed 3 (date digits nearly touching)
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Mint: Philadelphia (no mintmark)
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Designer: Christian Gobrecht
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Composition: 90% Gold, 10% Copper
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Fineness: .900
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Diameter: 18 mm
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Weight: 4.18 grams (0.12094 oz actual gold weight)
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Grade: AU58
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Certification: NGC
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Holder: NGC-certified slab
Highlights:
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Certified AU58 by NGC – just a hair below Mint State
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Scarce Closed 3 variety, with digits closely spaced in the date
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Features Christian Gobrecht’s classic Liberty Head design
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Obverse: Liberty with coronet and 13 stars; Reverse: Heraldic eagle
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Struck in 90% gold, containing over 0.12 oz actual gold weight
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A beautiful and historic U.S. gold coin from the post-Civil War era
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Excellent choice for gold type sets or Liberty Head quarter eagle series
Historical Note:
In 1873, two distinct date styles were used for U.S. coinage: Closed 3 and Open 3. The “Closed 3” variety—where the 3 digit appears nearly closed or touching—was used early in the year and is recognized today as a collectible variety in multiple denominations.
The Liberty Head Quarter Eagle, designed by Christian Gobrecht, was struck from 1840 to 1907, and 1873 marks a significant turning point in U.S. gold history, coinciding with the Coinage Act of 1873 which ended the production of silver dollars and shifted U.S. monetary policy.
This AU58 example offers rich eye appeal and certified authenticity at the cusp of Mint State, perfect for the collector who appreciates both technical grade and historic depth.
Looking for more Liberty Head varieties or U.S. gold by date? Contact us — we carry a curated selection of certified pre-1933 gold.
