1857-C $5 Liberty Gold Half Eagle MS-63 PCGS

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In 1857, the southern branch mint in Charlotte, North Carolina, produced a limited run of just 31,360 gold half eagles. Bearing the distinctive 'C' mintmark, these five-dollar gold pieces were struck from a composition of 90 percent gold, containing 0.2419 troy ounces of the precious metal. Today, finding any survivor from this mid-nineteenth-century southern coinage is a notable event for numismatic enthusiasts. This particular specimen is exceptionally rare for its state of preservation, having been certified in Mint State 63 (MS-63). For a coin intended for daily commerce in the pre-Civil War era, remaining in such an uncirculated state is highly unusual. The obverse features the classic Liberty head design dated 1857, representing a fascinating era of American gold coinage minted right near the region where the nation's first gold rush occurred.