1846-D Quarter Eagle (1846-D $2.50) PCGS AU50. The featured coin is an 1846-D $2.5 Liberty Head quarter eagle graded AU50 by PCGS. With a total mintage of 19,000 examples, the 1846-D is one of the lower mintage dates of the series. This is a very elegant coin that features bright gold surfaces that are free of any major marks. All of the devices on this coin are superbly struck. This is a nicer coin than many AU53 graded examples.

In 1808, Chief Mint Engraver Christian Gobrecht was solicited to create a design for Liberty that would be more befitting than previous designs. By 1838, Gobrecht's Coronet design for the eagle took center stage, and a version of this, in keeping with the Mint's penchant for uniformity, was used on the quarter eagle starting in 1840. Gobrechts design for the Liberty Head quarter eagle featured a large head of Liberty facing left, wearing a wide coronet inscribed with the word LIBERTY . Her hair is pulled back in a bun and held in place by a string of pearls. Thirteen stars are placed around the periphery, representing the original colonies, with the date below.

The reverse is adorned by an eagle originally designed by John Reich. The 1840-1907 version was probably modified by Robert Ball Hughes. The heraldic eagle has its wings spread from rim to rim with the Union shield covering its breast. An olive branch representing the country's peaceful intentions is in the eagle's right claw, with three arrows emphasizing military preparedness in the left. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds the eagle, with the denomination 2 1/2 D. beneath the bird. Liberty Head $2.5 gold quarter eagles were struck from 1840-1907 and are comprised of 90% gold and 10% copper and weigh 4.18 grams.