1858 $5 MS(PCGS#8276)

The November 2010 Baltimore Auction

Auctioneer

Bowers & Merena

Lot Number

5102

Grade

AU53

Price

2,883

Lot Description

1856-C Liberty Half Eagle. Winter Variety 1 (24-J), the only known dies. AU-53 (NGC). A rich-looking piece, both sides exhibit an even endowment of vivid reddish-khaki color. The surfaces are a tad scuffy from time spent in circulation, although there are no individually distracting abrasions to report. Bold-to-sharp in detail, with some of the original, slightly grainy luster shining forth from the fields at more direct angles. An underrated issue among Charlotte Mint Fives, the 1856-C ranks ninth in absolute rarity among the 24 issues in this popular and widely collected Southern gold series.