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Demand for early copper and Colonial-era numismatic treasures drives strong results in Heritage Auctions' July 13 Early Copper & Colonial U.S. Coins Showcase Auction
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Obverse Description
Liberty is seen with a formal, or classic, hair style, facing left with 13 stars around the periphery and the date centered at the bottom. Mint mark is positioned above the date.
Reverse Description
An eagle with wings fully spread with a ribbon above its head bearing the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. The words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the periphery with "2 1/2 D." written as a fraction appears at the bottom.
Catalog Information
GSID:
8257
Designer:
William Kneass
Obverse Designer:
William Kneass
Obverse Lettering:
LIBERTY, 1838
Reverse Designer:
William Kneass
Reverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, 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:
18.2
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Reeded
Coin Date:
1838-C
Denomination:
$2 1/2
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
Charlotte
Mint Mark:
C
Mintage:
7,880
Coinage Type:
Gold Quarter Eagle
Coinage Years:
1834-1839
Composition:
90% gold; 10% silver & copper
PCGS #:
7697
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Coin Value History
1838-C $2 1/2 MS
Value By Grade
1838-C $2 1/2 MS
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
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Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS64 |
|
$144,000 | $1,234 |
| MS64 | - | $108,000 | $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 |
1838-C Classic Head Quarter Eagle. HM-1, Winter-1. Rarity-4. AU-55 (PCGS). CAC.
$29,280
1838-C $2 1/2 HM-1, R.4, AU58 NGC....
$17,400
1838-C $2 1/2 XF40 PCGS. Gold CAC. Variety 1. HM-1, R.4....
$15,600
1838-C $2 1/2 HM-1, R.4, XF45 PCGS....
$8,700
1838-C Classic Head Quarter Eagle. HM-1, Winter-1, the only known dies. Rarity-4. AU-50 (PCGS). CAC. CMQ.
$13,200
1838-C Classic Head Quarter Eagle. HM-1, Winter-1, the only known dies. Rarity-4. MS-64 (PCGS). CAC.
$120,000
1838-C $2 1/2 HM-1, R.4, Fine 15 PCGS. A collector-grade example of the first Charlotte issue in the quarter eagle series, ...
$5,040
1838-C $2 1/2 HM-1, R.4, MS63 NGC. ...
$55,200
1838-C Classic Head Quarter Eagle. HM-1, Winter-1, the only known dies. Rarity-4. AU Details--Repaired (PCGS).
$3,840
1838-C $2 1/2 AU53 PCGS. Breen-6147, Variety 20, R.3. ...
$8,401
$3,680
1838-C $2 1/2 MS61 PCGS. Variety 1. ...
$25,300
1838-C $2 1/2 MS62 PCGS. ...
$23,001
1838-C $2 1/2 --Cleaned--ANACS. VF Details, Net Fine 12. ...
$2,530
1838-C $2 1/2 --Improperly Cleaned--NCS. Unc Details. ...
$4,600
1838-C $2 1/2 VF20 PCGS. Variety 1-A. Only one die pair was used to strike the 1838-C, and it is noteworthy for the obverse...
$4,600
$2,185
$1,035
1838-C $2 1/2 HM-1, R.4, AU55 NGC....
$20,400
1838-C $2 1/2 HM-1, R.4, AU58 PCGS....
$20,400
Classic Head Quarter Eagle $2 1/2 Classic Head, 1834-1839 MS [Type]
Worth: $558 – $325,000
1834 $2 1/2 Classic Head MS
Worth: $558 – $95,000
1835 $2 1/2 MS
Worth: $558 – $65,000
1836 $2 1/2 Block 8 MS
Worth: $558 – $110,000
1836 $2 1/2 Script 8 MS
Worth: $558 – $110,000
1837 $2 1/2 MS
Worth: $623 – $66,000
1838 $2 1/2 MS
Worth: $558 – $325,000
1839 $2 1/2 MS
Worth: $558 – $55,000
1839-C $2 1/2 MS
Worth: $3,200 – $85,000
1839-D $2 1/2 MS
Worth: $2,600 – $163,200
1839-O $2 1/2 MS
Worth: $1,375 – $155,000
Greysheet News
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7/15/2026
Best of the Mint Program Kicks Off
In continuing celebration of the nation's 250th anniversary in 2026, the United States Mint will embark on a "Best of the Mint" program.
7/13/2026
Events
Midlands Coin Club Coin, Currency and Collectibles Show - SC
Location: Medallion Center
Friday, May 1, 2026
