1856-C Liberty Head Half Eagle. Winter-1, the only known dies. AU-50 (PCGS).
Virtually full, soft mint frost blends with rich pinkish-honey color on this lovely 1856-C half eagle. Both the technical quality and eye appeal are superior for the assigned grade. The strike is sharp, with uncommon boldness of detail. Impressively smooth, this coin will please even the most discerning collectors. An underrated issue among Southern gold coins, the 1856-C is rarer than a mintage of 28,457 pieces might imply, with no more than 250 to 300 survivors in all grades. According to Doug Winter in the 2008 edition to the book Gold Coins of the Charlotte Mint: 1838-1861, Mint State survivors number only about six or seven individual coins. This minimally circulated example - very scarce in its own right - is an attractive alternative worthy of the strongest bids.
PCGS# 8267. NGC ID: 25UW.
From the Fairmont Collection - Rhone Set.

Estimate: $3000