United States 1854-C 5 dollars
The year 1854 saw Half Eagle mintages at Charlotte drop significantly, never exceeding 40,000 until its closure in 1861. Appropriately, the 1854 is one of the rarest dates of the 1850's. Like the 1850 & 1853, it also comes with a "Strong" mintmark and "Weak" mintmark variety, and like the 1850 & 1853, the "Strong" mintmark variety is much more popular and commands a premium. Most examples are poorly struck, with weak indistinct hair details on Liberty and the eagle's wings, shield and legs. This example exhibits a typical strike with deep green-gold, crusty surfaces. It shows an interesting die crack that runs diagonally from the reverse rim, to the first "S" in "STATES", through the eagle's left (facing) wing, along the bottom left side of the shield, the eagle's right talon, along the bottom arrow, and through the "C" of "AMERICA" to the rim.
Recorded Mintage: 39,283.
Specification: 21.6 mm diameter, 8.359 g, 0.900 fine gold, .2418 troy oz AGW, reeded edge.
Catalog reference: KM 69.
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