1855-C $5 MS(PCGS#8262)

August 2011 Chicago ANA World's Fair of Money Auction

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

9419

Grade

AU53

Price

3,163

Lot Description

1855-C Liberty Half Eagle. Winter Variety 1 (23-J), the only known dies. AU-53 (PCGS). A median rarity in the Charlotte Mint half eagle series, the 1855-C has an extant population of only 175-225 coins from a mintage of 39,789 pieces (this estimate per Doug Winter, <em>Gold Coins of the Charlotte Mint: 1838-1861</em>, 2008 edition). A touch of softness to the obverse periphery and central reverse aside, the present example is quite boldly defined, especially since there is also light rub to the highpoints. Scattered abrasions include a few tiny nicks to the devices and in the fields, although there are still no individually mentionable distractions. Even rose-orange color throughout. Similar in overall rarity to the 1859-C, the 1855-C is more challenging to collect than such other Charlotte Mint fives as the 1843-C, 1853-C and 1857-C.