Lot 3830
1852-C $5 Liberty. PCGS graded MS-64. Well struck with semi reflective surfaces. A wonderful "C" mint gold coin. Pop 6; none finer at PCGS. Clean as a whistle for this grade, as one would look forward to from the grade, only a few slight contact marks present; however, what really makes this break free from others is its lovely greenish gold cartwheel luster that rolls around each side. Even the finest, most delicate detail is seen on this coin struck with uncommon exactness for a traditionally weak issue; were it only possibly for all the design to be as sharp as the lettering and outer areas. Any softness is centered on the eagle's neck feathers; the wings, legs, claws and leaves are all nicely detailed (PCGS # 8251) .
The story of the Charlotte Mint begins with the discovery of gold in that part of the country. Colonial-Era America had precious little in the way of domestic mines, leading to a general shortage of metals of all kinds. This situation persisted throughout the Revolution and the early years of the republic. Then, after 1802, as more and more gold discoveries were unearthed, the area grew in both wealth and prestige. By the 1830s, there was agitation on the part of North Carolina's congressional delegation to establish a branch of the United States Mint at Charlotte, the seat of Mecklenburg County to strike into coins the large flow of bullion from the mines. Legislation creating the Charlotte branch of the U. S. Mint was signed into law by President Andrew Jackson on March 3, 1835. Coinage at the new mint was limited to gold, since that metal provided the sole reason for its creation. By the 1850s, the peak of production, even gold from as far away as California's gold fields was being minted into these handsome $5 gold pieces!
Estimated Value $24,000 - 27,000.
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| Realized $29,900 |
