RARE PCGS/CAC AU58 1861-C HALF EAGLE

While not as popular or as historic as its counterpart the 1861-D, the 1861-C half eagle is rare in properly graded AU58 and extremely rare in Uncirculated. It also feels undervalued in AU58 when compared to the 1861-D as the latter is priced at 2x the current level of the 1861-C.

Look at the following numbers from PCGS:

• 1861-C: 13 graded in AU58 with four finer

• 1861-D: 7 graded in AU58 with 13 finer

Clearly, a number of 1861-D half eagles were saved by locals as souvenirs but this was not the case with the 1861-C.

This is among the very best 1861-C half eagles I’ve handled, and I’ve handled EVERY nice one in existence. This one doesn’t have the darker coloration which either of the two Fairmont coins sold in 2022 had. It is, however, completely natural in appearance and a very solid coin for the grade with light rub on the high spots, ample luster and just a few small abrasions seen in the right obverse field.

Note that two PCGS/CAC AU58 Fairmont coins I referenced above brought $36,000 and $40,800 in August and April, respectively.

If you have been looking for a truly great 1861-C for your Charlotte half eagle or Civil War sets, this is the coin you want.

CAC has approved six in this grade with but a single coin higher (MS63).

Ex Heritage 2024 FUN: 4344 where I purchased it for $37,200.

According to my database which goes back over 10+ years, this is the fourth appearance of this date in PCGS/CAC AU58 in the DWN inventory. This includes both appearances of this exact coin.

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