1857 2.50 US Gold Quarter Eagle

Edap you HAVE to weigh and measure your coin. And don't forget to use your magnet on it too. Pictures show just so much.:smile

 

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Thanks, Zeke.

It's not attracted to magnet. I still have have look for a digital scale and a caliper.

 

Great! I'd like to help you pick out a coin scale. I bought a Jennings model
JS-150V digital readout coin scale for $17 bucks. Its resolution in grams is 0.1grams. That's fine enough for your 2 1/2 dollar coin. The scale can also measure : carats, ounces, troy ounces, pennyweight, grains, and pounds up to 0.3306 lbs.
It measures 3 in. wide by 5 in. depth and about 1 in. hieght.
Hope this helps.

2 1/2 dollar gold coin: 4.18 grams
18 millmeters in diameter.

 

Nice 2 1/2 great date too!

 

Thank you so much zeke but I have already ordered a digital caliper and a digital scale this morning.

 

I'm not convinced the coin is genuine. Here are several concerns : OBVERSE : chip on rim between stars 12 and 13 possible die tooling mark on edge into denticles between stars 2 and 3 "muddy" denticles between stars 2 and 4 "blobby" letters in LIBERTY REVERSE : blob on rim between tip of eagle's wing and AMERICA - it's possible this is a cud; it's also possible (but less likely) it's some sort of post-mint damage (jewelry mounting, etc) Check the edge. Examine the reeding carefully. They should be very precise and uniform (depth and spacing). Check the denticles on both sides carefully. They, too, should be very precise and uniform. I certainly can't tell from the photo if the coin is genuine or counterfeit. I do have some concerns. Good luck and best wishes !

 

Edap,

Something that I didn't see the others mention (or maybe I just missed it) is that you should not clean the coin. That would only detract from it's value.

-StephenS

 

Edap,

Weight should be 4.18 grams, diameter 18 mm. Unfortunately, there are a lot of fakes out there. For diagnostics, I'd look at http://coinfacts.com/quarter_eagles/liberty_head_quarter_eagles/1857s_quarter_eagle.htm. While this website is out of date, it is still useful. Taking the coin to a reputable dealer is also a good idea. If you are told that the coin is a fake, ask why he/she thinks it is not real. Fake gold coins, if actually made form gold are worth at least the melt value of the gold (about $140). If the dealer believes that it is authentic, ask him/her what grade it might be (but don't rely on a single opinion)/

If the weight, diameter and other diagnostics work out, then submitting the coin for grading is a good idea. Since you are overseas, I'd contact PCGS and find out if they have an authorized dealer in your area that could submit the coin for you.