Lot 1826
1859-C. PCGS graded MS-62. Only 31,847 minted. Lovely golden toning. The warm golden hue is rich with color, orange to peach tinged and more evident on the obverse where it nearly encompasses the entire surface. On the reverse, the color hugs the edge, yielding but grudgingly to the more typical reddish tint of standard 90% gold 10% copper "coin gold." Adding to those results, a word about strike: this piece has all but needle-sharp devices on the obverse, with gorgeous detail on the stars, the date digits, Liberty’s hair but especially the coronet. Fully struck in most obverse areas as this is, some unconvincing roundness here and there is "standard issue" for the reverse, including a softly impressed eagle and shield. However, these minor drawbacks are compensated by outstanding surface quality. The surface is free of most marks in a gold Type which tended to be heavily abraded, even on the few surviving Mint States. (The identical reverse die was used in Charlotte in the following year, 1860, with the same comments regarding the reverse die being appropriate for half eagles of that date as well.) Pop 1; 3 finer, 2 in 63, 1 in 66 (PCGS # 8281) .
Estimated Value $11,000 - 12,000.
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| Realized $7,344 |
