1843-C United States 2 1/2 Dollar Value

A 1843-C United States 2 1/2 Dollar is worth roughly $406 to $4,386 depending on its condition. Its intrinsic melt value stands at $406 based on spot prices from 2026-06-01 Certified examples in top grades can run far higher.

Public domain image (struck or printed before 1926). Click to enlarge.

Melt estimated at the US 0.900 gold standard.

1843-C United States 2 1/2 Dollar value by grade

1843-C United States 2 1/2 Dollar value by grade
GradeEstimated value
Melt value floor(metal content, 2026-06-01)$406.15
Good (G-4)$406 to $487
Very Good (VG-8)$406 to $502
Fine (F-12)$406 to $526
Very Fine (VF-20)$406 to $560
Extremely Fine (XF-40)$449 to $634
About Uncirculated (AU-50)$552 to $780
Mint State (MS-60)$760 to $1,072
Choice Unc (MS-63)$1,208 to $1,706
Gem Unc (MS-65)$3,107 to $4,386

Estimated retail range, updated 2026-06-13. Estimates are modeled from mintage rarity and metal content, not auction records. Actual sale prices vary with certification, eye appeal and market timing.

How much is a 1843-C United States 2 1/2 Dollar worth today?

Start with $406 for a heavily circulated 1843-C United States 2 1/2 Dollar and work upward. Lightly circulated 1843 examples occupy the middle of the range, while true gems approach $4,386. If your coin has no wear on the high points, it deserves a closer look or a professional opinion.

1843-C United States 2 1/2 Dollar specifications

Series
United States Coinage
Year
1843
Mint mark
C
Mintage
Not recorded
Composition
Gold
Weight
4.19 g
Diameter
18.17 mm
Gold content
0.12124 troy oz

Where is the mint mark on a 1843 United States Coinage?

On a 1843-C United States 2 1/2 Dollar, the "C" mint mark of the Charlotte Mint sits in the standard position for this series. A loupe helps: on worn examples the letter can fade into the surrounding devices.

What makes the 1843-C United States 2 1/2 Dollar valuable

Documented examples of the 1843-C United States 2 1/2 Dollar in our reference database anchor what we know about this issue. Mintage records are incomplete, so collector demand and surviving population drive its market.

Each 1843-C United States 2 1/2 Dollar holds 0.1212 troy ounces of gold, worth $406 at current spot prices. Gold content dominates the value of common dates and underwrites every numismatic premium above it.

Few series carry the following that supports the 1843-C United States 2 1/2 Dollar. Documented United States coin types preserved in museum collections, with measured specifications for each date, denomination and mint. A coin that thousands of collectors are actively assembling into sets never lacks for a market.

1843-C United States 2 1/2 Dollar inscriptions & design

Obverse

LIBERTY / 1843

Liberty bust left surrounded by 13 stars

Reverse

• UNITED STATES OF AMERICA • / 2 1/2 D. / C

Heraldic eagle

Measured 1843-C United States 2 1/2 Dollar specimens

1 physically measured 1843-C United States 2 1/2 Dollar example in our reference database. Real measured weights and die axes let you authenticate a coin against the 4.19 g, 18.17 mm minting standard.

Measured 1843-C United States 2 1/2 Dollar specimens
SpecimenWeightDiameterDie axisReferences
1843-C United States 2 1/2 Dollar #14.19 g18.17 mm6 hFriedberg.USA.116, Breen.6168

Specifications compiled from documented museum specimens. See our data & methodology page.

Summary: the 1843-C United States 2 1/2 Dollar is valued between $406 and $4,386 as of 2026-06-13. Estimates combine mintage rarity, key-date status and metal content; they are editorial guidance, not an offer to buy.