1861-C Liberty Head Half Eagle. Winter-1, the only known dies. Die State II. AU-53 (NGC). Offered is a superior quality survivor of a rare and historic Southern gold issue. Overall full striking detail and vivid olive-orange and reddish-gold patina provide outstanding visual appeal. There are no singularly distracting abrasions, a rare attribute in a lightly circulated C-Mint gold coin. The Charlotte Mint half eagle series passed into history in 1861 with a mintage of just 6,879 pieces. Of this total, 887 pieces are believed to have been struck in May of that year under the authority of the Confederate States of America. A middle die state example, the present coin was likely struck while the facility remained under federal control, although there is no way of knowing for sure. The 1861-C is the eighth rarest of 24 dates in the Charlotte Mint half eagle series, there being only 200 or so coins extant in all grades. This About Uncirculated example is finer than most and has much to offer advanced Southern gold enthusiasts. From David Lawrences sale of the Richmond Collection, Part I, July 2004, lot 1408. From David Lawrences sale of the Richmond Collection, Part I, July 2004, lot 1408.
