Lot 2322
1861-C $5 Liberty. NGC graded AU-58. Mostly untoned. Struck at a time of great uncertainty in the country, the Southern States had seceded from the Union in late 1860 and early 1861, just about the time this lovely, lustrous 1861 Charlotte Mint half eagle was put into circulation. The rarity of it is that this particular coin did not stay in circulation very long (unlike most of its issue). Some farsighted individual retrieved it before it circulated very heavily. That, or it went into a money pouch during those stress-filled years and lay hidden for a long time before finally resurfacing. The grade by NGC tells the story of the high quality: plenty of residual luster is in the fields and throughout the devices; with only a few scattered marks (including a little nick on the back of Liberty's neck adjacent to the "lovelock" curl). A few stars on the left are weak, as are the eagle's neck feathers. But for the most part the depth of detail is clearly ahead of most others. So, too, is the aesthetic appeal, for the eye delights in all of its features. Certain to make headlines when the price realized is published. Only 6879 minted. Pop 12; 6 finer; 5 in 61; 1 in 63.
Estimated Value $9,000 - 10,000.
|
| |
| Realized $10,350 |
