1856-S $2.50 (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head $2 1/2 1840-1907

PCGS MS65

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PCGS MS64

PCGS MS63

PCGS #:: 7781

Designer:: Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 18.00 millimeters

Weight:: 4.18 grams

Mintage:: 72,120

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $85,188 • MS67 • 09-14-2015 • Goldberg Auctioneers

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (3)

Major Varieties

1856-S $2.50
1856-S $2.50, PL

Die Varieties

1856-S $2.50, PL S.S. Central America #2 (with Pinch)

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Price Guide (USD)

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For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - PCGS Graded

For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - NGC Graded

Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts' opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity By Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity By Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
All Grades	175	R-7.2	68 / 147 TIE	68 / 147 TIE
60 or Better	15	R-9.3	78 / 147 TIE	78 / 147 TIE
65 or Better	3	R-9.8	27 / 147 TIE	27 / 147 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	175
60 or Better	15
65 or Better	3

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-7.2
60 or Better	R-9.3
65 or Better	R-9.8

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	68 / 147 TIE
60 or Better	78 / 147 TIE
65 or Better	27 / 147 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	68 / 147 TIE
60 or Better	78 / 147 TIE
65 or Better	27 / 147 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS67 PCGS grade	S.S. Central America - Goldbergs 9/2015:1352, $85,187.50
2	MS65 PCGS grade	Goldbergs 9/2010:2772, $25,300
2	MS65 PCGS grade	Recovered from the wreck of the S.S. Central America - Heritage 1/2018:4980, $33,600
4	MS64 PCGS grade
4	MS64 PCGS grade
4	MS64 PCGS grade
4	MS64 PCGS grade
8	MS63 PCGS grade
8	MS63 PCGS grade
8	MS63 PCGS grade

#1 MS67 PCGS grade

S.S. Central America - Goldbergs 9/2015:1352, $85,187.50

#2 MS65 PCGS grade

Goldbergs 9/2010:2772, $25,300

#2 MS65 PCGS grade

Recovered from the wreck of the S.S. Central America - Heritage 1/2018:4980, $33,600

#4 MS64 PCGS grade

#8 MS63 PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

The 1856-S $2.50 is close in rarity to the 1857-S, but it is almost twice as common as the 1859-S. Approximately two to three dozen Mint State examples are known, most of which grade from MS61 to MS64. The finest example is a PCGS MS67 that was recovered from the wreck of the S.S. Central America -- it is but one of a tiny handful of MS67 Quarter Eagles from the pre-Civil War era. This date usually comes with a nice frosty luster.

The mintmark on the 1856-S Quarter Eagles appears in at least two widely different position. Most often, the mintmark is wedged tightly into the area between the eagle's right talon (viewer's left) and the fletch of the arrow. Other times, it is seen almost touching the upper left serif of the D.

David Akers (1975/88): Moderately scarce as a date (certainly more so than the relatively high mintage figure of 71,120 might indicate) and extremely rare in strictly uncirculated condition. I would be surprised if as many as half a dozen mint state pieces exist. The finest that I have seen was the piece in the 1974 ANA Sale that realized $2500.