1848-C $5 MS64 NGC. While this date is among the more ...

Description

Choice Mint State 1848-C Half Eagle, Possibly Finest Known

1848-C $5 MS64 NGC. While this date is among the more readily available Charlotte Mint half eagles, very few have survived in high grade. The mintage for this issue totaled 64,472 coins, the fifth highest production of any issue in the history of the Charlotte Mint. Only the 1847, 1849, 1852, and 1853 Charlotte half eagles had higher mintages. Although Doug Winter suggested a total survival of approximately 150 coins, he recorded just three or four Mint State examples in the second edition of Charlotte Mint Gold Coins. Since that time, the unrecorded Bass Collection coin appeared on the market with a grade of MS64 by PCGS. Another 16 to 18 AU coins were also mentioned, after which all remaining survivors show moderate to extensive wear or damage, or both.
This is a lovely example with rich green-gold coloration with considerable orange overtones. The fields exhibit numerous fine die finishing lines that impart a reflective, almost prooflike appearance. Although not fully struck, the design elements are rather well detailed, and slightly finer than the typical specimen. Winter stated that "the area below BERT in LIBERTY is especially weak and it typically shows no individual definition in the curls." This example, while weak in this area, does exhibit some hair definition. The surfaces are very lightly abraded, as one would expect for the grade. There are not large "hits" and the only pedigree marker of note is a vertical string of three tiny nicks in the reverse field just above the arrowheads.
There is some confusion regarding the pedigree of this coin. The NGC holder identified this from the Elrod Collection, and Doug Winter records the Elrod coin as pedigreed to the Eliasberg Collection. This Elrod coin was also plated in the first edition of Winter's reference, with this coin matching that plate. The confusing part of this pedigree involves an attempt to match this coin to the Eliasberg plate. There are pedigree markers visible on the Eliasberg plate that do not match this coin, and vice-versa. We would like very much to include the Eliasberg name in the pedigree of this coin; however, we cannot do so in the absence of additional documentation.(#8237) (Registry values: P4)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 25TT, PCGS# 8237, Greysheet# 8988)

Weight: 8.36 grams

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Note for clients in the European Union: This lot is considered by the European Union to be “investment gold”. We believe that it meets the criteria established in Article 344(1), point (2) of Council Directive 2006/112/EC and thus should be exempt from import VAT regardless of the selling price. Any questions or concerns about VAT should be addressed to your accountant or local tax authority.

View Certification Details from NGC