252
|
$2.50 Gold
R
ARE
1855-C $2.50 L
IBERTY
Enlargement
1695
1855-C
.
NGC graded MS-61
. Mostly untoned, but with
some delicate medium gold-orange color in the lustrous
areas most notable around the devices. Traditional strike
for 1855-C, with some lightness as expected on (mainly)
the reverse. Both sides come lustrous. The reverse displays
much luster in protected areas under the eagle’s wings and
across most of the bottom of the reverse. Only 3,677 exam-
ples were struck of the 1855-C, with not a single piece
known to have been saved by a numismatist at the time.
The Mint Cabinet, instituted in June 1838, collected coins
only by date without paying any attention at all to mint-
marks, although occasionally a mintmarked would come to
hand by accident or as a presentation piece (such as for an
1854-S $20 with Proof finish, among other examples). The
collecting of Charlotte and Dahlonega Mint gold coins took
a leap forward after the publication in 1893 of A Treatise on
Mint Marks, by Augustus G. Heaton. However, it was not
until the early 1930s that there was growing movement to
acquire these branch mint gold pieces, by which time most
examples in bank reserves and elsewhere were very worn.
Today the average grades for Charlotte and Dahlonega
coins are VF and EF, with an occasional AU, but not often
higher.
To remind bidders, Charlotte gold coins of any date are vir-
tually unobtainable in a true Mint State grade. Further, of
lustrous specimens -- AU upward -- very few coins with any
numerical designation have the "life," the zing, the beauty
of this MS61 specimen. Here is another treasure for the
connoisseur and specialist .Only 3,677 minted.
Pop 5; 8
finer, 4 in 62, 2 in 63, 1 in 64, 1 in 65
. (
PCGS # 7775
)
Estimated Value .....................................$17,000 - 18,000
