Vitae

• Half Eagle 1838 - 1861
• Liberty Head 1839 - 1861
• Diameter: 22.5 millimeters
• Fineness: .900
• Weight: 129 grains
• Designer: Christian Gobrecht
• Edge: Reeded
• Coiner: John R. Bolton

More half eagles were coined at Charlotte in 1847 than in any other year. As one might expect, the 1847-C is the most common Charlotte half eagle in terms of the total number known. This, coupled with the fact that the 1847-C is generally a well struck and carefully made issue, make it an ideal date for the type collector seeking a single high grade coin from this mint. As many as 200 are known with slightly over 80% grading Extremely Fine or below. Approximately 30-32 About Uncirculated coins exist along with another four or five in Mint State. This date is comparably easy to locate in lower grades but the collector seeking a problem-free, original specimen grading About Uncirculated-55 or better will have a more difficult time than anticipated.

Condition Census

1. Martin Paul, ex David Akers Numismatic Auctions' John Jay Pittman collection, Part One (10/97): 982, Sotheby's King Farouk sale (3/54): 251, Col. E.H.R. Green collection. Mint State-64. This coin sold for $44,000 and was identifiable by a small carbon spot on the cheek of Liberty.
2. Paul Dingler collection, ex Elrod collection, Superior 2/92: 2656, Hugh Sconyers, Winthrop Carner, 1991 private treaty sale at the Central States Numismatic Society convention via David Akers. Graded MS-63 by PCGS. The plate coin in this book.
3. New York Gold Mart (Ron Karp), ex Stack's/RARCOA/Akers Numisma 11/95: 1461 (at $18,150), Winthrop Carner, Stack's Milas sale (5/95): 468 (at $27,500). Graded MS-63 by NGC.
4. Charlotte Mint Museum collection. MS-62 or thereabouts.
5. (tie) Doug Winter/Lee Minshull inventory, 1/98, ex Delaware Valley Rare Coin Company, graded MS-61 by NGC (and)The example graded MS-61 by PCGS. The location and pedigree of this coin are unknown to the author (and) Private collection, ex Lee Minshull, 5/97. Graded MS-62 by NGC.