United States 1859-C 5 dollars
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The mint began using a much smaller date logo, as opposed to 1858, which was used until its closure 2 years later. All 1859-C Half Eagles have a very mushy, almost "blurry" reverse strike, which was due to an improperly annealed and most likely rusty reverse die. As a result, the eagle, olive branch, and arrows appear very weak, even though the rims and reverse lettering are usually quite strong. To make matters worse, this same reverse die was employed in 1860 with the same result!
Recorded mintage: 31,847.
Specification: 21.6 mm diameter, 8.359 g, 0.900 fine gold, .2418 troy oz AGW, reeded edge.
- Alexander, David T., Coin World Comprehensive Catalog & Encyclopedia of United States Coins, Sidney, OH: Amos Press, 1995.
- Breen, Walter H., Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U. S. and Colonial Coins, New York: Doubleday, 1987.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Yeoman, R. S., and Kenneth Bressett (ed.), A Guide Book of United States Coins, 65th Ed., Atlanta, GA: Whitman Publishing, 2011.
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