Lot 4422
1839-C $5 Liberty. NGC graded MS-63. In NGC holder 1846102-002. Only 17,205 coins struck. Unusually sharp strike in natural slightly greenish-color light gold. Splendid with frosty mint luster. The 1839-C Half Eagle is a stand-alone type from the issues of 1840-1865 in the Liberty half eagle series. And it does not take an eagle eye to see the difference, there are many details from Gobrecht's first hub which are plainly evident, while others are not quite so pronounced as the differences since on his 1838-39 eagles. What's more, 1839-C five has the feature of being the only Coronet half eagle with mintmark on obverse.
The usual grade that is offered is Extremely Fine, although a dozen or more About Uncirculated examples are believed to be in collections. When it comes to Mint State coins, the number known dwindles rapidly. This handsome MS63 sets at the high end of the popular Condition Census listing, a subjective yet no less important ranking of surviving specimens. The coin has soft, frosty luster and exhibits light yellow-gold color (Charlotte gold often tests positive for a high silver content with other trace elements in addition to the 90% gold, hence the color-shift). The details on the main relief features are boldly struck on either side. This leaves the viewer wide-mouthed and in awe of the remarkable sharpness found on Liberty's hair and hair bun, on the eagle's feathers and shield, and elsewhere. Identifying marks, while few, can serve as future provenance links: one on Liberty's cheek by the lips, another above the eagle's head at right, a third below O of OF, are three that can be used. Light field abrasions elsewhere fit into the MS63 parameters. To sum it up, this coin has exceptional quality and a well recognized rarity in this grade. These are the NGC census numbers: Pop 2; none finer at NGC (PCGS # 8192) .
Estimated Value $50,000 - 55,000.
Ohringer Family Trust Holdings.
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| Realized $55,200 |
