248
|
$2.50 Gold
T
IED
F
OR
F
INEST
1847-C $2.50 L
IBERTY
Enlargement
1682
1847-C
.
PCGS graded MS-64.
CAC Approved
. Lovely even gold toning on both sides. Tied for the finest at PCGS. Only 23,226 minted.
This Choice MS64 example is well struck, with supremely beautiful bright, pleasing lime-gold color and shimmering luster. The fields have a
satin-like rather than a prooflike sheen as seen on some other 1847-C quarter eagles; this is especially prevalent in the near gem quality
fields, which is facilitated by the presence of very few marks of any sort. On Liberty's cheek and neck with see a wonderful smooth, blemish-
free finish. This issue had the highest mintage of any Charlotte Mint quarter eagle, It is one of the most available, therefore. Mint State survi-
vors, while occasionally offered, are scarce in all grades, per the PCGS census:
Pop 6; none finer at PCGS
. (
PCGS # 7745
)
Historic note: Now known as The Mint Museum of Art, the structure which once housed the United States Branch Mint at Charlotte, North Car-
olina has been relocated since its days in government service. Lying in the way of a proposed expansion to the city's post office, the venerable
building was slated for demolition in 1932. Coming to its defense was the Charlotte Woman's Club. At the prompting of the chairman of its art
department, Mary Myers Dwelle, a campaign was undertaken to raise funds for the rebuilding of the old mint structure at another site.
The story of the Charlotte Mint begins with the discovery of gold in that part of the country in the 1790s, which, over time, touched off the
nation's first gold rush, and the addition of so many miners only increased the rate at which gold discoveries were being made. Things
reached a fever pitch during the 1820s and '30s. Soon, a private mint was established in Rutherfordton, North Carolina by the Bechtler family.
As the area grew in both wealth and prestige, there was soon agitation on the part of North Carolina's congressional delegation to establish a
branch of the United States Mint at Charlotte, the seat of Mecklenburg County. Though not specifically stated, it was expected that such a
mint would put the Bechtlers out of business. Legislation creating the Charlotte branch of the U.S. Mint was signed into law by President
Andrew Jackson on March 3, 1835. Coinage at the new mint, which opened in 1838, was limited to gold, since that metal provided the sole
reason for its creation.
Estimated Value ............................................................................................................................................................$17,000 - 18,000
Enlargement
1683
1847-C
.
PCGS graded AU-58
. Lovely rich golden toning.
Only 23,226 minted. A single die variety for this issue. The
1847-C, being a plentiful Charlotte quarter eagle, possibly
owing to a small hoard that existed at one time, is a good
choice for a first-time buyer who wants to own one of these leg-
endary Southern branch mint gold pieces. The light to medium-
gold surfaces of this near-Mint State example earn the grade
with well-struck devices and exceptionally choice, smooth sur-
faces. Whereas most survivors have anything from a few scat-
tered marks to so many that one might suppose the whole
Russian army marched over them, there are absolutely no
detractions on this remarkable (and quite beautiful) AU58.
Pop
17; 26 finer, 7 in 61, 7 in 62, 6 in 63, 6 in 64
. (
PCGS #
7745
)
Estimated Value ..............................................$2,900 - 3,000
U
NC
1848-D $2.50 L
IBERTY
Enlargement
1684
1848-D
.
PCGS graded MS-61
. Only 13,771 minted.
Mostly brilliant although lightly toned in a few areas, this
coin basically semi-prooflike gold in appearance with ultra
sharp Liberty, very sharp eagle and shield, and outstanding
stars on the obverse as well. The few wispy abrasions and
hairlines indicate the grade but in now way do they detract
from the overall pleasing eye appeal of this handsome
1848-D Quarter Eagle. This issue is usually seen in lower
grades.
Date logotype far left with 1 just grazing the neck trunca-
tion, base of 1 close to but not touching dentil. Reverse
with D mintmark high, and about 50% of the interior cov-
ered by the arrow feather which extends diagonally under
it. The mintmark was added as a last step in making the die
and therefore overlaps the device from an eagle-branch-
arrows punch.
Pop 7; 13 finer, 7 in 62, 6 in 63
. (
PCGS
# 7751
)
Estimated Value ........................................ $8,000 - 8,500
