Exact date on front of your coin makes it worth $552,000 – but the material adds ‘impressive’ value

A UNIQUE coin worth far more than its face value sold for $552,000 at auction thanks to two key details.

The Quarter Eagle coin is considered highly desirable by collectors due to its material and the history behind its date.

During the California Gold Rush that began in 1848, the first samples of California gold were presented to President James K. Polk.

Under his orders, gold deposit was sent to the Philadelphia Mint where just 1,389 Quarter Eagle coins were produced.

The Quarter Eagle coins are composed of 90% gold and 10% copper.

In a time-consuming process that took five weeks, all 1,389 Quarter Eagle coins were hand-stamped with CAL on the reverse to signify the gold used was from California.

The imprint position varies coin by coin, alluding to the manual nature of the process.

Also on the reverse is an eagle with a shield on its chest, holding an olive branch and arrows in its talons.

The coins feature a classic Liberty Head design on the obverse with 13 stars surrounding Liberty's profile.

HISTORIC GEM

An Eagle is a historical US gold coin worth $10, while a Quarter Eagle coin has a face value of $2.50.

However, these coins are worth much more than that because of their rich ties to American history.

One of these coins - an 1848 CAL Quarter Eagle - sold for a whopping $552,000 in September 2022 through Heritage Auctions.

It has "impressive credentials when compared to other elite coins within the US gold series," according to the auction site.

"It is considered the first true commemorative coin issued by the US Mint, and ranks among the most highly sought issues within the lengthy and popular quarter eagle series."

The "iconic" coin has a secure spot on the list of the 100 Greatest US Coins.

The coin sold at auction was graded as MS64, or Mint State 64, meaning it was uncirculated.

The grading means the coin likely featured minor imperfections such as light scratches or marks.

How coins are graded

Coins are graded on a scale of one to 70, with one being the poorest grade, and 70 being the most pristine example.

Numbers 60 to 70 are generally the most sought-after by collectors and are known as Mint State coins.

Pieces that fetch thousands at auction are commonly found in MS67, MS68, and MS69 conditions.

An MS-70 is near-impossible to find among older coins.

The coin has partly prooflike fields and bright, frosty edges.

The lightly frosted designs create a strong contrast with the vibrant green-gold background.

Several Quarter Eagle coins have auctioned for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

For example, some have sold for $402,500, $345,000, and $300,000.

Check out these other rare coins worth thousands.

A silver coin is worth $78,000 thanks to its date and the state on the back.

Plus, a detail on the front of your penny could make it worth $37,200 – and the Secret Service once thought it was counterfeit.