Whitman Expo
The United States utilized a two-cent coin for just ten years, from 1864 to 1873.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Go check them out!
Often called America's first commemorative coin, the 1848 "CAL." reverse brought attention to the early (and prolific) mining of gold in California.
Obverse Description
Christian Gobrecht's portrait of Liberty is surrounded by 13 stars with the date centered at the bottom.
Reverse Description
Heraldic eagle holding arrows and branch in its claws is centered in the design with the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA * @ 2 1/2 D. around the periphery. Mintmark (if any) is located under the eagle's claws.
Catalog Information
GSID:
8270
Designer:
Christian Gobrecht
Obverse Designer:
Christian Gobrecht
Obverse Lettering:
LIBERTY, 1848
Reverse Designer:
Christian Gobrecht
Reverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CAL., 2 1/2 D.
Fineness:
0.9
Weight (gr):
4.18 gr
Weight (oz):
0.1344 oz
Precious Metal Weight:
0.121 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
18
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Reeded
Variety:
CAL.
Coin Date:
1848
Denomination:
$2 1/2
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
1,389
Coinage Type:
Gold Quarter Eagle
Coinage Years:
1839-1907
Composition:
90% gold; 10% silver & copper
PCGS #:
7749
Send Catalog Feedback
To: editor@greysheet.com
Subject: I would like to contribute catalog info to CDN for 1848 $2 1/2 CAL. MS
Body: Referring page: http://beta.greysheet.com/prices/item/1848-cal-two-and-a-half-dollar-liberty-united-states-gold/gsid/8270 GSID: 8270 Title: 1848 $2 1/2 CAL. MS
Subscribe to View
View more data, info, and visualizations. Get access to retail and wholesale pricing as well as auction data.
Coin Value History
1848 $2 1/2 CAL. MS
Value By Grade
1848 $2 1/2 CAL. MS
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
Sort by
Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS68 |
|
$1,080,000 | $1,234 |
| MS68 | - | $660,000 | $1,234 |
| MS67 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS67 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS66 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS66 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
Liberty Gold Quarter Eagle $2 1/2 1840-1907 MS [Type]
![Liberty Gold Quarter Eagle $2 1/2 1840-1907 MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/Ctc/CatalogEntry/auctions_stacksbowers_com_lots_view_3_lyaf8-0.20200710200900176.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $592 – $26,000
1840 $2 1/2 MS
Worth: $802 – $44,000
1840-C $2 1/2 MS
Worth: $1,800 – $30,000
1840-D $2 1/2 MS
Worth: $4,250 – $144,000
1840-O $2 1/2 MS
Worth: $632 – $42,500
1841 $2 1/2 MS
Worth: $125,000 – $336,000
1841-C $2 1/2 MS
Worth: $2,000 – $62,400
1841-D $2 1/2 MS
Worth: $3,600 – $86,400
1842 $2 1/2 MS
Worth: $2,000 – $50,000
1842-C $2 1/2 MS
Worth: $2,300 – $120,000
1842-D $2 1/2 MS
Worth: $2,400 – $54,000
1842-O $2 1/2 MS
Worth: $602 – $48,000
1843 $2 1/2 MS
Worth: $592 – $20,000
1843-C $2 1/2 Large Date MS
Worth: $1,300 – $42,000
1843-C $2 1/2 Small Date MS
Worth: $2,250 – $39,000
1848 $2 1/2 CAL. MS62 PCGS. ...
$146,400
1848 Liberty Head Quarter Eagle. CAL. AU Details--Cleaned (NGC).
$33,600
1848 $2 1/2 CAL. XF45 PCGS. ...
$64,050
1848 Liberty Head Quarter Eagle. CAL. AU-50 (PCGS).
$66,000
1848 $2 1/2 CAL. AU53 NGC....
$50,400
1848 Liberty Head Quarter Eagle. CAL. MS-64 (PCGS). CMQ.
$288,000
1848 $2 1/2 CAL. AU55 NGC....
$48,000
1848 $2 1/2 CAL. MS61 PCGS....
$81,000
1848 $2 1/2 CAL. VF25 PCGS. ...
$42,000
1848 $2 1/2 CAL. VG8 PCGS. CAC. ...
$38,400
1848 $2 1/2 CAL. XF40 NGC. ...
$33,614
1848 $2 1/2 CAL. MS68★ NGC. ...
$300,000
1848 Liberty Head Quarter Eagle. CAL. VF-35 (PCGS). CAC.
$43,200
1848 $2 1/2 CAL. VF30 PCGS. ...
$35,250
1848 Liberty Quarter Eagle. CAL. AU-58 (NGC).
$55,812
1848 $2 1/2 CAL. -- Ex-Jewelry -- Genuine ANACS. ...
$18,800
1848 $2 1/2 CAL. VG10 PCGS. CAC. ...
$25,415
1848 $2 1/2 CAL. MS63 PCGS. ...
$103,500
1848 $2 1/2 CAL. Good 6 PCGS. ...
$16,675
$149,500
Greysheet News
Right for its Time: The Short Life of the 2 Cent Coin
8/19/2026
Loring-Levin Collection Consigned to Heritage's January 2027 FUN U.S. Coins Auction
Denis W. Loring was among Early American Coppers' Charter Members.
8/19/2026
CAC Coins Bring Premiums in July 2026
CAC approved and CACG encapsulated coins fared well in public sales during the month of July 2026.
8/18/2026
Events
Heritage Auctions: US Currency Tuesday Select Auction
Location: Heritage Auctions
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Heritage Auctions: World Paper Money Tuesday Select Auction
Location: Heritage Auctions
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Heritage Auctions: US Coins Tuesday & Wednesday Select Auction
Location: Heritage Auctions
Wednesday, June 3, 2026