Many people invest their hard-earned money in stocks, real estate, art collections, stamps and other collectibles, insurance plans, jewelry, and so on. There are many options you should research before deciding to invest. Some are risky since the value of your money with it will fluctuate a lot, while others are relatively stable.

But what do you think about investing money in good money? By money I mean coins, and by coins, I don’t mean the regular change you get in the supermarket, I mean coins such as gold quarters and bullion.

If you want to do a long-term investment then you should seriously think about gold quarters, but since I don’t like to push people and talk empty talks, with this article I will prove to you why you should choose this type of investment.

So are you ready to expand your options,  learn something new, and find out how much is a gold quarter worth? Time is money so let’s get going!

All You Need To Know About The Gold Quarter In One Place

Anyone who is an amateur in this field can easily mix up a real gold quarter with a gold-plated quarter. I’m sure you already realize that the gold-plated quarter is a cheap replica of the real and rare gold quarter. Let’s talk about that a bit more down below.

What are gold quarters?

The gold coins first appeared in the 1700s, but somehow they weren’t taken very seriously until the 1990s. Even though the U.S Mint did produce gold coins in the 18th century, such as the 1903 Louisiana Purchase Expo dollar or the 1916 McKinley Memorial dollar, the interest for them raised in the past few decades.

A gold coin is a very valuable coin that contains a large quantity of gold. They are mainly made with 99.99% 24k fine gold and featured different amounts of gold depending on the denomination and size. The gold quarters are usually made with .25 ounces of gold, but they are worth much more than their face value.

However, you must be aware that there are two types of golden quarters – genuine gold quarters and quarter-eagles. Quarter-eagles are also made from fine gold but they contain a larger quantity of it, so they are more valuable.

The gold quarter coins nowadays are rarely released in official circulation since they are mostly collectible items, but there is one exceptional case. The Standing Liberty Centennial Gold Coin was issued in 2016 as a commemoration coin and exactly 91,752 pieces were released in circulation.

During the past few years, the gold coins value has drastically raised! They experienced a value growth of over 60% in just four years! For example, the above-mentioned Standing Liberty Centennial Gold Coin was estimated to be $289 while its price today is $485!

Of course, keep in mind that the price of gold does not experience such a high jump all the time, but when they do it is significant growth.

What are gold-plated quarters?

I have a piece of bad news for all of you who may make a mistake in the late 90s and bought some of these coins after seeing an ad on the TV. All I can say is that they are actually worthless, but at least they can have an aesthetic purpose in your home.

The thing is that these quarter-plated coins are regular coins plated with a small amount of gold or in some cases platinum. This layer is thinner than a piece of human hair, and it is about 0.003 of an inch thick. Moreover, you can never sell them nor you can sue the company who sold you them for a higher price than their worth since these coins are legal.

The List Of Most Valuable Gold Quarter Coins

A lot of golden coins were produced from the 1700s until today. As usual, mostly those that are very old are very rare and valuable.

Back in the day, people didn’t try to fraud you with fake gold as much as they do now. Most coins from that time have around 90% of gold in content and just small amounts of silver or copper.

Keep in mind that those coins were in actual use so most of them will have light or heavy marks on them. Of course, there are specimens that were never in use but be very cautious with those coins. If they are too perfect they might be replicas. In case you came across some of these gold coins make sure you bring them to a certified gold expert that can help you determine if is it real.

Name Mintage Metal composition Diameter and weight Varieties Year Estimated value for uncirculated coins
1808 Capped Bust Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle 2,710 92% gold

8% silver and copper

20 mm

4.37 grams

Yes 1808 $2,350,000
1796 Turban Head Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle: No Stars On Obverse 963 92% gold

8% silver and copper

20 mm

4.37 grams

Yes 1796 $2,160,000
1796 Turban Head Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle: With Stars On Obverse 432 92% gold

8% silver and copper

20 mm

4.37 grams

Yes 1796 $1,380,000
1798 Turban Head Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle 1094 92% gold

8% silver and copper

20 mm

4.37 grams

Yes 1798 $763,750
1807 Capped Bust Right $2.50

Quarter Eagle

6,812 92% gold
8% silver and copper
20 mm

4.37 grams

Yes 1807 $587,500
1821 Capped Head Left Quarter Eagle 6,448 92% gold

8% silver and copper

18.5 mm

4.37 grams

Yes 1821 $558,125
1854 S Coronet Head Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle 246 90% gold

10% copper

18 mm

4.18 grams

Yes 1854 $551,147
1804 Turban Head Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle: 13 Star Reverse N/A 92% gold

8% silver and copper

20 mm

4.37 grams

Yes. The coin with 13 stars is rare and valuable, while the one with 14 stars is not. 1804 $505,250
1825 Capped Head Left Quarter Eagle 4,434 92% gold

8% silver and copper

18.5 mm

4.37 grams

Yes 1825 $499,375
1848 Coronet Head Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle: Cal 1389 90% gold

10% copper

18 mm

4.18 grams

Yes. The variety from 1864 does not have CAL mark above the eagle and it is less valuable 1848 $402,500
1854-S Liberty Head Quarter Eagle 346 90% gold

10% copper

18 mm

4.18 grams

Yes 1854 $384,000
1805 Capped Bust Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle 1,781 92% gold

8% silver and copper

20 mm

4.37 grams

Yes 1805 $381,875
1838 Classic Head Quarter Eagle. McCloskey-1. 47,030 90% gold 10% copper 17.5 mm

4.18 grams

Yes 1838 $235,000
1841 Coronet Head Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle 15 90% gold

10% copper

18 mm

4.18 grams

Yes 1841 $219,477
1802 Capped Bust Right Quarter Eagle 3,035 92% gold

8% copper

20 mm

4.37 grams

Yes 1802 $211,500
1911 D Indian Head Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle 55,680 90% gold

10% copper

18 mm

4.18 grams

Yes 1911 $204,000

You can buy this coin on eBay and the price largely varies the most expensive one is selling for $38,602

1806 Turban Head Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle: 6 Over 5 – 7 Stars Left – 6 Stars Right 480 92% gold

8% silver and copper

20 mm

4.37 grams

Yes. There are two varieties of this exact coin. One has an 1806 date overlay over 1805. Another variety has an 1806 overlay 1804 date. 1806 $199,750
1797 Turban Head Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle 427 92% gold

8% silver and copper

20 mm

4.37 grams

Yes 1797 $171,289
1839-D Classic Head Quarter Eagle. HM-1, Winter 1-B 13,674 90% gold

10% copper

17.5 mm

4.18 grams

Yes 1839 $168,000
1804 Capped Bust Right Quarter Eagle. 14 Star Reverse 2,827 92% gold

8% silver and copper

20 mm

4.37 grams

Yes. This coin has 14 stars above the eagle while most other has 13 stars. 1804 $164,500
1827 Capped Head Left Quarter Eagle 2,800 92% gold

8% silver and copper

20mm

4.37 grams

Yes 1827 $152,750
1856 D Coronet Head Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle 874 90% gold

10% copper

18 mm

4.18 grams

Yes 1856 $144,000
1840-D Liberty Head Gold $2.50

Quarter Eagle

3,532 90% gold

10% copper

18 mm

4.18 grams

Yes 1840 $144,000
1859-D Liberty Head  Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle 2,244 90% gold

10% copper

18 mm

4.18 grams

Yes 1859 $132,000
1798 Wide Date Turban Head Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle

 

1,094 92% gold

8% silver and copper

20 mm

4.37 grams

Yes 1798 $129,250
1838-C Classic Head Quarter Eagle. HM-1, Winter-1, the only known dies 7,880 90% gold

10% copper

18.2 mm

4.18 grams

Yes 1838 $120,000
1839-O Classic Head Quarter Eagle. HM-1, Winter-1 17,781 90% gold

10% copper

18.2 mm

4.18 grams

Yes 1839 $120,000
1845-O Liberty Head Quarter Eagle. Winter-1, the only known dies 4,000 90% gold

10% copper

18 mm

4.18 grams

Yes 1845 $117,000
1841 Liberty Head Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle 20 90% gold

10% copper

18 mm

4.18 grams

Yes 1841 $105,800
1914 Indian Head Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle 240,000 90% gold

10% copper

18 mm

4.18 grams

Yes 1914 $103,500
1806/4 Capped Bust Right Quarter Eagle. 8 x 5 Stars 1,136 92% gold

8% silver and copper

20 mm

4.37 grams

Yes 1806 $94,000
1824/1

Capped Head Left Quarter Eagle

 

2,600 92% gold

8% silver and copper

18.5 mm

4.37 grams

Yes 1824 $91,062
1864 Coronet Head Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle 2,784 90% gold

10% copper

18 mm

4.18 grams

Yes 1864 $89,934
1834 Capped Bust Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle 4,000 92% gold

8% silver and copper

18.2 mm

4.37 grams

Yes 1834 $84,591
1854 D Coronet Head Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle 1760 90% gold

10% copper

18 mm

4.18 grams

Yes 1854 $79,416

 

You can find the 1854 C variety for $8,955

1826 Capped Bust Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle: 6 Over 6 760 92% gold

8% silver and copper

18.5 mm

4.37 grams

Yes. What makes this coin edition special is the minting error. All 1826 coins have the number 6 overdating the number 6. 1826 $79,411
1798 Turban Head Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle 1094 92% gold

8% silver and copper

20 mm

4.37 grams

Yes 1798 $79,400
1849 C Coronet Head Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle 10,220 90% gold

10% copper

18 mm

4.18 grams

Yes 1849 $72,528
1865 Coronet Head Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle 1,545 90% gold

10% copper

18 mm

4.18 grams

Yes 1865 $60,606
1841 D Coronet Head Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle 4,164 90% gold

10% copper

18 mm

4.18 grams

Yes 1841 $60,598
1845 O Coronet Head Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle 4,000 90% gold

10% copper

18 mm

4.18 grams

Yes 1845 $59,393
1839 C Classic Head Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagle

No Motto On Reverse

18,140 90% gold

10% copper

18.2 mm

4.18 grams

Yes. This coin can be easily recognized from other similar versions of this coin since it does not have the motto on the back side of the coin. 1839 $59,391

How Can You Identify Real Gold From Fake Gold?

I mentioned how inexperienced people can have a very hard time recognizing fake gold no matter if we talk about coins, jewelry, bars, or any other item. Luckily, there are a few tips and tricks that can help you determine if your item is real or fake.

Here is the comprehensive list of things you should do when investing in gold:

  • Test the size and weight – If we talk about the coins the thing you can do on your own is to test the size and the weight of the particular model. The great news is that you can find official measurements for almost all kinds of coins on the internet. Gold is one of the densest metals we know and use. I can freely say that it is hard to replicate its weight and structure, so if your gold item is too light then you came across the replica.
  • Check for the marks – When you are buying golden coins, bullions or bars check for the minting marks and the year. In case you are buying golden jewelry make sure you look for the mark that labels the gold cartage.
  • The ping test – All precious metals produce a long and high-pitched ringing sound when they struck a metal base. You will easily recognize this sound.
  • Magnet test – It sounds easy, and it is easy. You can do this at home, or on the spot when you are purchasing. Gold does not have magnetic properties compared to other materials. So if you try to pick the item with the magnet and if it does not stick then your gold is real and pure. But bear in mind that not all items are made from 999.9 pure gold, some have other metals in the mixture that might stick to the magnet. So the best you can do is to conduct some other test alongside the magnet test.
  • Ceramic test – I’m sure most people didn’t know about this test. All you need is your gold items and an unglazed piece of ceramic. Try to draw over it by applying light pressure and see what happens. If the trace is golden then it’s real gold if the trace is black then it’s fake.
  • Nitric Acid test – This test should be done in a safe environment and by professionals since you can damage your gold item. The gold is resistant to oxidation and corrosion so if it’s pure it won’t get damaged by nitric acid. Different strengths of nitric acid are used for different carats. In this case, if the gold doesn’t react it is at least pure as the carat rating suggests, and maybe even more. You can try a similar test at home using bleach and vinegar, if the item changes color then it’s not real gold.

Where Should I Buy Gold Coins?

If you are serious about investing your money in valuable gold coins then you should do it properly and prioritize your safety. You can’t simply hop in the car or on the internet and hit the first place that advertises gold coins.

Before any purchase, you need to do thorough research and find reputable dealers, auction houses, gold coin companies, or online sellers. After that make sure you select a few ones that you like the most and check the prices. You will be surprised how the price tag can vary!

Here is the list of the best places where you should look for gold coins:

You can also try your luck on the websites like Live Auctioneers, eBay, and Etsy but you must be aware that this kind of trading is always risky, even though you can find golden coins there for much cheaper prices than with the official dealers. Check the numismatic clubs and communities for all additional information and advice you need.

The best advice I can give you now is to hire a broker or an expert who works with gold coins if you decide to make this investment.

FAQ

How can you spot the difference between real gold coins and gold-plated coins?

In most cases, the replicas are so good that you can’t spot them with the bear eye. However, you can do a test. As you learned, gold is a non-ferrous metal. Gold-plated coins are made from various metals and are only coated with a thin layer of gold. That means when you conduct the magnet test on them they will immediately stick to the magnet.

How can I sell my gold coins?

In case you want to sell your gold coin there are three different things you can do. Sell your coins at auction, in person at a reputable dealer, or online. Make sure you never sell your golden coin to people who buy gold for melting.

Golden coins are in most cases much more expensive than the price you would get for the weight of gold.

What year of gold quarters are worth keeping?

Early-era gold eagle quarters, from 1796 to the 1890s are all scarce and very valuable. The most valuable are the ones that weren’t in circulation even though those are very rare. But don’t despair the circulated gold coins can fetch you a very nice amount of money as well.

What is the highest price of gold?

Gold was always valuable, but in the past few years, thanks to the COVID-19 outbreak the value of this precious metal jumped significantly.

Just before the outbreak in the middle of 2020, the price of gold broke the $2,000 price tag. On March 8, 2022, the price tag was even higher, $2074. Today the price is more stable, and it goes around $1,800.

What is the most valuable golden coin?

The most valuable golden coin is the rare Double Eagle minted in 1933. It features a Liberty on one side and the eagles with spread wings on the other side. The face value of this coin is $20 and it was never been used in circulation so it is in perfect condition.

I’m sure most of you didn’t expect to hear this price tag but this coin was sold at Sotheby’s auction for $18.9 million!

Are there any cons to investing in gold coins?

The first thing I must mention is that increase in value is gradual and very slow. Many people want to invest in gold coins due to their retirement period will come. But you need to know that for individual retirement accounts, no ownership of gold IRAs is allowed.

The last there is always a high chance of being defrauded if you are buying your gold coins from a random dealer just because the price was too good to let it go. I can’t emphasize enough how the coin market is full of very credible replicas!

Also Read:

Is It Worthy To Invest In Golden Quarters?

Investing in gold is the best thing you can do in today’s economy which is very unstable. As you probably noticed, from the early day everything was around gold, people fight over gold, they used it to buy their freedom, economical independence, and status in society.

Nowadays, we don’t need to fight over it, but we still need to pay large amounts of money to get it. Luckily, the price of gold is always on the rise, and even when it happens to crash, it crashes a little, unlike the stock market for example. In some way investing in gold coins protects you from inflation since their value is directly linked to the price of gold.

Also, the demand for gold will only increase with time so this kind of investment is a sure thing. All you need to worry about is finding a reputable dealer or a broker who will help you invest your money properly and get “the best bang for the buck”.

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