Lot 2316
1859-C $5 Liberty. NGC graded AU-58. Light gold toning. A few light old marks on the portrait. A rare C-mint half eagle. Touches of underlying luster supports the high-grade that has been assigned. A pleasing example of the date, not fully struck, but with enough detail in the obverse areas of the design to make it a simple matter to overlook the traditionally weaker reverse features. Choice rims throughout. Only 31,847 struck. Pop 29; 29 finer.
Half eagles were coined at Charlotte Mint every year between 1838 and 1861, the exception being 1845, when the mint was under repair from a catastrophic fire that had nearly destroyed it the year before. The convenience of the half eagle and its more widespread popularity with depositors and foreigners resulted in higher mintage for this denomination than for quarter eagles. The high point was reached in 1847, when 84,151 five-dollar pieces were coined. Mintages rarely went below 10,000 pieces, though 6,879 half eagles were struck in 1861, the final year of operation.
Estimated Value $6,500 - 7,500.
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