RARE AU58 1856-C HALF EAGLE WITH CAC APPROVAL

This is an underappreciated date which is really scarce in properly graded AU55 to AU58, especially with natural color and choice surfaces.

The present example is choice and attractive with deep, even russet color on the obverse and reverse which suggests it has never been cleaned or lightened. The obverse is free of marks and very choice; a small series of marks on the reverse can be seen beneath TATE in STATES. The strike is far above average and the surfaces do not show the mint-made defects seen on a number of 1856-C half eagles.

No AU58 with CAC approval has ever sold at auction. The Newman V: 3292, graded AU58+ by NGC and approved by CAC, sold for $10,575 in late 2014 and later sold for $8,225 in its January 2016 re-appearance.

This piece is the nicest AU58 1856-C half eagle that I’ve handled in some time and it is a practical alternative to a nice Uncirculated example which, if available, might cost in excess of $12,500-15,000.

CAC has approved three in this grade with just one finer (MS63).