1839-C $5 MS(PCGS#8192)

February 2026 Showcase Auction - The James A. Stack, Sr. Collection Part II

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

23016

Grade

AU50

Price

25,200

Lot Description

Attractive golden-olive surfaces with subtle pinkish-rose and wheat-gold highlights eident as the coin rotates under a light. The amount of detail present is noteworthy for an issue that is usually seen well worn, and also with a poor quality of strike. This piece is soft in isolated areas, notably around the obverse periphery, above Liberty's brow and at the eagle's talons. Otherwise, however, we note universally sharp definition throughout. Frosty in texture with appreciable luster for the grade.<p>One of the scarcest Charlotte Mint half eagles, the 1839-C is also eagerly sought by specialists as the first Liberty Head issue from this Southern coinage facility and the only one to display the C mintmark on the obverse above the date. As well, Liberty's portrait has an appreciably different design on half eagles of this date than on coins dated 1840 and later. This issue ranks within the top 10 for rarity in the Charlotte Mint half eagle series (per Doug Winter, <em>Gold Coins of the Charlotte Mint: 1838-1861</em>, 2008), and survivors are particularly elusive in grades above VF. This is only our third offering for a problem free AU since 2014 - a testament to the condition rarity of this Charlotte Mint highlight from the phenomenal James A. Stack, Sr. Collection.