Lot 1804
1839-C. PCGS graded Genuine, Filed Rims - AU Details. Light gold obverse toning while the reverse shows lovely red and golden toning. Only 17,205 struck. The details on the obverse relief features are boldly struck save for some flat stars, and more than you see with most of the surviving 1839-C half eagles. The reverse stands slightly below this inasmuch as the right side of the eagle from shield down to claw failed to completely strike. All this same, the leaves the viewer wide-mouthed and in awe at the remarkable sharpness found on Liberty's hair and hair bun for such an early Charlotte branch mint gold coin.
Among the earlier dates none are more popular than those struck at the Dahlonega and Charlotte mints, in this era the metal used was being supplied from the regional hills and valleys (interestingly, during the 1850s much gold from California was shipped to these two mints, changing the scenario). In the first year, 1839, the mintmarks were placed on the obverse. The idea lasted but a short time, and beginning in 1840 the reverse was used, the same being true in the silver half dollar series (PCGS # 8192) .
Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,600.
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| Realized $2,938 |
