Medium die state with some bulging beginning to take form at the centers.

The 1848-C is an available date in the Charlotte quarter eagle series but it is not often found above AU50 and almost never with natural color and surfaces.

This is among the most cosmetically appealing Charlotte quarter eagles of any date which I have seen. The obverse shows exquisite fiery reddish-gold and lilac hues outlining the border and this beautifully contrasts the lighter green-gold center. The reverse tends more to green-gold but has similar flashes of reddish-gold and lilac in the fields. Both sides show a good deal of semi-prooflike reflectiveness and the eye appeal is totally off the charts. If this were a Morgan Dollar, it would command a huge premium based on its marvelous coloration.

Auction records for non-CAC approved 1848-C quarter eagles graded AU53 tend to run in the $2,750-3,250 range but these are for coins with inferior eye appeal and unnatural color.

Collectors of branch mint gold are finally recognizing the fact that individual coins with memorable natural color are very rare and that coins such as this 1848-C quarter eagle deserve to sell for large premiums over typical examples.

CAC has approved two in this grade with three finer.