damaged 1853 $2 1/2 Liberty quarter eagle
 

How would you assess the condition of this 1853 quarter eagle...the faces seem to be fairly nice but the rim has some damage. I presume it was attached to a chain or mount at some time. Sorry my quickie scans are not up to TomD's outstanding work!

Re: damaged 1853 $2 1/2 Liberty quarter eagle
 

Looks like some solder is on the reeded edge and that is has been cleaned and lightly polished at some time in it's 150 year plus life span.

Too bad, it looks like it might have been an AU had it not been abused.

Re: damaged 1853 $2 1/2 Liberty quarter eagle
 

Looks like a cleaned ex-jewelry piece, worth roughly melt or slightly over.

I personally try to buy pieces like that for melt value, so long as they're not too damaged or harshly cleaned. I don't know what dealers will pay for them, I guess under melt if I've been able to buy some from them for melt.

For example, APMEX sells "lightly cleaned or polished" (but not damaged by use in jewelry) pieces for a little over melt.

http://www.apmex.com/Product/9122/50..._Polished.aspx

I actually picked up a $2.5 Indian ex-jewelry piece for melt, but don't have a $2.5 Liberty yet... are you selling, by chance?

Re: damaged 1853 $2 1/2 Liberty quarter eagle
 

The coin has MS details but appears to have been used in Jewelry. It also looks to have been cleaned previously. Because of this damage, and the fact that the coin is not a key date, it doesn't have a whole lot of numismatic-added value. Presently, the coin contains approximately $100 worth of gold. I would guess that coin would fetch between $150-$200 on the open market.

Re: damaged 1853 $2 1/2 Liberty quarter eagle
 

Thanks again to all for the replys, I know next to nothing about numismatics so I really appreciate the info.