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1840-C $5 AU58 NGC. Variety 2-B, Die State I. In this

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1840-C $5 AU58 NGC. Variety 2-B, Die State I. In this
<B>1840-C<$5> AU58 NGC.</B></I> Variety 2-B, Die State I. In this early die state, the reverse crack from the rim to the I in AMERICA, thence to the middle arrow, has not yet formed. This issue is always extremely popular, for several reasons: It is the first Charlotte Mint issue to have the mintmark on the reverse. It is a design subtype, with a subtly modified portrait of Liberty. It is extremely rare in all grades, and is among the rarest C-mint half eagles. Winter's <I>Gold Coins of the Charlotte Mint 1838-1861</B></I> ranks this issue as third in high-grade rarity among half eagles, behind only the 1842-C Small Date and the 1838-C. This piece shows a typical strike for the issue, so that the lowest hair curl appears separated from the hair above, and weakness appears on the hair below the coronet and on the eagle. This coin's special attribute, however, is its brilliant luster and, of course, a notable lack of all but minuscule rub on the highpoints. The lovely greenish-gold surfaces show no singularly mentionable distractions. Winter calls the issue "very rare in About Uncirculated" and an "extreme rarity in full Mint State." The current population date bear that assertion out, as both NGC and PCGS together have graded nine specimens in AU58, with five coins finer (7/06).