Lot 2314
1859-C $5 Liberty. NGC graded MS-61. In NGC holder 1784511-006. Well struck and quite lustrous. Golden sunset toning. A very attractive example. A remarkable 1859-C at this grade level. Lustrous golden surfaces exhibit deep peach gold vibrancy and iridescence in all areas. A few stray marks are present. The reverse strike is typically incomplete in most places for this date, and high-grade specimens are mainly judged by the quality of the obverse, which happens to be desirably bold. From a mintage for the date of 31,847 pieces almost the entire issue made it out the bank door and into cash trays. Most of the survivors from that mintage circulated to Very Fine or, at best, Extremely Fine grade. Douglas Winter calls the date Rarity-7 in AU preservation, indicating that fewer than a dozen are known. The present coin will attract wide attention.
(The reverse of virtually every known 1859-C half eagle is struck weakly. Many of the known impressions from the die also show evidence of die rust. This same reverse die was used in Charlotte in the following year, 1860, with the same comments regarding the reverse die being appropriate for half eagles of that date as well.) Pop 6; 2 finer 1 in 62; 1 in 63. (PCGS # 8281) .
Estimated Value $10,000 - 12,000.
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