Variety-1.  This is the more available of the two varieties for this date and it is easily recognized by the presence of an “earring-like” hole in Liberty’s lobe.

The 1851-C is one of the rarest Charlotte half eagles in higher grades. I rank it as the fifth rarest of 24 issues and I am aware of no more than six in Uncirculated. The best is the Elrod coin, now graded MS64 by NGC.

This fresh, attractive coin displays very pleasing rich natural green-gold color which is “right” for this date. It is well struck and very frosty with no signs of wear on the high spots and minimal contact marks in the fields. There are a few light lines in the left obverse field that limit the grade but, as you can see from the photos, the naked-eye appearance of this coin suggests an MS62.

The only reason this wonderful coin is for sale is that I was recently able to place the Milas NGC MS62 with a half eagle specialist who, in turn, sold me this coin.

Ex Stacks Bowers 2012 ANA: 11703, where it brought $10,350.

This is one of two 1851-C half eagles approved by CAC in any Uncirculated grade; the other is an NGC MS62.