Old Green Holder.

The 1860-C is the second to last half eagle made at this mint before it was closed by the outbrak of the Civil War. A total of 14,813 were struck; almost the exact same number of half eagles that were made at the Dahlonega mint in 1860. The 1860-C is scarce in all grades and it is very rare in Uncirculated with just nine or ten known. The finest that I am aware of is an NGC MS64 with CAC approval that sold for $46,000 as Lot 11705 in Stack’s Bowers 2012 ANS auction.

The term “fresh” is overused in numimatics but this coin is f-r-e-s-h with no previous auction appearances. I purchased it from a collector who, in turn, bought it from a coin shop who had put it away many years ago. By today’s standards I grade this coin an MS62 and it might even grade as high as MS63 were it not for a reeding mark on the lower portion of Liberty’s jaw. Overlooking this mark, the coin is superb with rich, natural orange-gold color and remarkable frosty luster. It has never been cleaned, dipped or processed and it can serve as a poster child for originality in a series in which originality is so infrequently seen these days.

There has never been a PCGS MS61 example of this date sold at auction. The last NGC MS61 to sell was Bowers and Merena 6/03: 2125 which brought $13,800.

This coin would be perfect for the type collector who is seeking a single, high grade Charlotte half eagle for a set that features choice, original pieces. It would also fit well in even the finest specialized collection of Charlotte half eagle.

CAC has approved just this one example in MS61 with two finer (MS63 and MS64).