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The United States utilized a two-cent coin for just ten years, from 1864 to 1873.
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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.
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:
376910
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
Variety:
HM-1
Coin Date:
1838
Denomination:
$2 1/2
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
47,030
Coinage Type:
Gold Quarter Eagle
Coinage Years:
1834-1839
Composition:
90% gold; 10% silver & copper
PCGS #:
764781
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Coin Value History
1838 $2 1/2 HM-1 MS
Value By Grade
1838 $2 1/2 HM-1 MS
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
Sort by
Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS67 |
|
$390,000 | $1,234 |
| MS67 | - | $330,000 | $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 |
| G4 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
Classic Head Quarter Eagle $2 1/2 Classic Head, 1834-1839 MS [Type]
![Classic Head Quarter Eagle $2 1/2 Classic Head, 1834-1839 MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ctc/catalog/1836-2-50-obv.jpeg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $620 – $325,000
1834 $2 1/2 Classic Head MS
Worth: $620 – $95,000
1835 $2 1/2 MS
Worth: $620 – $65,000
1836 $2 1/2 Block 8 MS
Worth: $620 – $110,000
1836 $2 1/2 Script 8 MS
Worth: $620 – $110,000
1837 $2 1/2 MS
Worth: $685 – $66,000
1838 $2 1/2 MS
Worth: $620 – $325,000
1838-C $2 1/2 MS
Worth: $4,800 – $120,000
1839 $2 1/2 MS
Worth: $620 – $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
1838 $2 1/2 HM-1, R.3, AU53 PCGS. PCGS Population: 24 in 53, 94 finer (10/25). CDN: $1,550 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU53. Mi...
$1,842
1838 $2 1/2 HM-1, R.3, AU58 NGC. NGC Census: 58 in 58, 73 finer (12/25). CDN: $2,250 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU58. Mintage ...
$2,135
1838 $2 1/2 HM-1, R.3, AU55 NGC. CAC. ...
$3,294
1838 $2 1/2 HM-1, R.3, XF45 PCGS. PCGS Population: (39/140 and 0/3+). Mintage 47,030....
$960
1838 $2 1/2 HM-1, R.3, VF30 PCGS. PCGS Population: (0/0 and 0/1+). Mintage 47,030....
$720
1838 $2 1/2 HM-1, R.3, MS64 PCGS....
$13,800
1838 $2 1/2 HM-1, R.3, MS61 PCGS. CAC. ...
$4,080
1838 $2 1/2 HM-1, R.3, AU50 NGC. NGC Census: (27/220). PCGS Population: (0/0). AU50. Mintage 47,030. ...
$1,560
1838 $2 1/2 HM-1, R.3, MS63 PCGS. CAC. ...
$12,600
1838 $2 1/2 HM-1, R.3, AU53 PCGS. PCGS Population: (0/0). Mintage 47,030....
$2,640
1838 $2 1/2 HM-1, R.3, AU58 PCGS. CAC....
$4,200
1838 $2 1/2 HM-1, R.3, AU55 NGC. NGC Census: (63/127). Mintage 47,030....
$1,620
1838 $2 1/2 HM-1, R.3, XF45 PCGS. Mintage 47,030....
$900
1838 $2 1/2 HM-1, R.3, MS64 NGC. ...
$8,100
1838 $2 1/2 HM-1, R.3, MS61 NGC. Ex: "Col." E.H.R. Green. Only one die pair was employed to coin the 47,030 Classic Head qu...
$3,000
1838 $2 1/2 HM-1, R.3, AU50 NGC. NGC Census: (0/0). PCGS Population: (0/0). AU50. Mintage 47,030. ...
$1,140
1838 $2 1/2 HM-1, R.3, MS63 NGC. ...
$8,400
1838 $2 1/2 HM-1, R.3, AU53 NGC. ...
$1,680
1838 $2 1/2 HM-1, R.3, AU55 NGC. NGC Census: (63/127). Mintage 47,030....
$1,800
1838 $2 1/2 HM-1, R.3, MS61 NGC. The 1838 Classic Head quarter eagle claims a mintage of 47,030 pieces and a single die var...
$3,000
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
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CAC approved and CACG encapsulated coins fared well in public sales during the month of July 2026.
8/18/2026
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Wednesday, June 3, 2026