Lot 3506
1854-C $2.50 Liberty. NGC graded MS-60. A great rarity in high grades, especially so in Mint State as seen here. Charlotte struck just 7,295 of these, virtually all of which circulated into much lower grades than seen here. We note the surfaces are a bright yellow gold color, and we see none of the haze or toning over the luster. As to the strike, this one really shines, noted expert Doug Winter wrote in his reference on the series that "Weak strikes are the rule for this date. The obverse is often blurry on the hair around Liberty's ear. The reverse is always weaker than the obverse; the center and eagle's claws are invariably very weak…." We note that the hair around Liberty's ear is fairly well struck, especially so given the date, and the reverse shows the expected softness on the eagle's thigh, claws and areas around the shield. In addition, we note a small die crack from the rim to the fraction bar on the reverse with minor collar cuds below on the extreme edge. The obverse die shows light clash marks from Liberty's nose and in front of her neck. Virtually no identifying marks on this one, there is a very short and shallow scratch left of the lower serif of the first S in STATES, and a minor tick on the post and lower serif of the F in OF, in NGC holder #289463-009. An American classic, NGC has graded only this coin as MS-60, with 4 above as MS-61, and 6 above that as MS-62, with none higher. PCGS has graded one in each MS-61 and 62, also with none higher. Rare and seldom offered in mint state grades.
Estimated Value $10,000 - 12,000.
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| Realized $7,763 |
