The ONLY Proof Ike Dollar Mated Pair On A Dime & Nickel Planchet NGC PF65 UNIQUE
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1853-C $5 Liberty Head Half Eagle PCGS MS61 (CAC)
US $26,219
Grade
Add On NONE
Grading service
PCGS
Cert number
53729367
Certification
—
Date
2026-06-09
Category
—
Sub category
—
Dealer
Description
1853-C $5 Liberty Head Half Eagle PCGS MS61 (CAC)
PCGS # 8254
Grading Service PCGS
Grade MS61
Mint Location Charlotte
Year 1853
Designation NONE
Strike Business
Grade Add On NONE
1853-C $5 Liberty Head Half Eagle PCGS MS61 (CAC)
1853-C $5
SKU: 53729367
The 1853-C $5 Liberty Head Half Eagle is a classic gold issue from the Charlotte Mint, a branch mint whose low-mintage gold coins have long been a cornerstone of Southern gold collecting. Struck during the height of the California Gold Rush era, this piece pairs the enduring Liberty Head design with the coveted “C” mintmark, offering both historic depth and true collector demand in Mint State.
This example is certified PCGS MS61 and approved by CAC, a combination that speaks to quality within the grade and strong market confidence. While the 1853-C is considered one of the more obtainable Charlotte half eagles in circulated grades, it becomes genuinely scarce at the top end, with Uncirculated survivors recognized as rare by modern standards.
Key highlights
Date and mint: 1853-C, Charlotte Mint “C” mintmark
Denomination and type: $5 Liberty Head Half Eagle, classic U.S. gold type
Grade and verification: PCGS MS61, CAC approved
PCGS CoinFacts cert/ID: 65571
PCGS population: 8 graded in MS61, with 6 higher
Historical and collector context
Charlotte half eagles are widely collected because they represent a short-lived and distinctly regional chapter of U.S. coinage history. The 1853-C is readily available in Very Fine through Extremely Fine and appears in lower About Uncirculated grades with some frequency, but properly graded AU58 coins are scarce and true Mint State pieces are rare, with only a small number believed to meet today’s strict Uncirculated standards. That scarcity, combined with the Charlotte mintmark’s appeal, makes an MS61 example a meaningful step up for the specialist and an impressive centerpiece for the type collector.
Strike and design quality (issue characteristics)
The 1853-C is typically better struck than the 1852-C.
Obverse: Central detail is generally well defined, with the main softness most often seen in the curls around Liberty’s face; the curl below the ear is notably strong on well-struck pieces. Hair detail, the top of Liberty’s head, and the bun are often sharp. Many stars show fully defined radial lines, and denticles are typically crisp.
Reverse: Usually a touch less bold than the obverse yet still above average for Charlotte half eagles. Feather detail tends to be stronger on the left wing than the right, with wing tips frequently incomplete. Claws and legs can range from fully defined to slightly weak.
An 1853-C Half Eagle in PCGS MS61 with CAC approval offers an exceptional balance of rarity, historical significance, and collector legitimacy—an ideal choice for advanced Charlotte specialists, Liberty Head gold enthusiasts, or anyone seeking a standout example of pre-Civil War U.S. branch mint gold.
PCGS # 8254
Grading Service PCGS
Grade MS61
Mint Location Charlotte
Year 1853
Designation NONE
Strike Business
Grade Add On NONE
1853-C $5 Liberty Head Half Eagle PCGS MS61 (CAC)
1853-C $5
SKU: 53729367
The 1853-C $5 Liberty Head Half Eagle is a classic gold issue from the Charlotte Mint, a branch mint whose low-mintage gold coins have long been a cornerstone of Southern gold collecting. Struck during the height of the California Gold Rush era, this piece pairs the enduring Liberty Head design with the coveted “C” mintmark, offering both historic depth and true collector demand in Mint State.
This example is certified PCGS MS61 and approved by CAC, a combination that speaks to quality within the grade and strong market confidence. While the 1853-C is considered one of the more obtainable Charlotte half eagles in circulated grades, it becomes genuinely scarce at the top end, with Uncirculated survivors recognized as rare by modern standards.
Key highlights
Date and mint: 1853-C, Charlotte Mint “C” mintmark
Denomination and type: $5 Liberty Head Half Eagle, classic U.S. gold type
Grade and verification: PCGS MS61, CAC approved
PCGS CoinFacts cert/ID: 65571
PCGS population: 8 graded in MS61, with 6 higher
Historical and collector context
Charlotte half eagles are widely collected because they represent a short-lived and distinctly regional chapter of U.S. coinage history. The 1853-C is readily available in Very Fine through Extremely Fine and appears in lower About Uncirculated grades with some frequency, but properly graded AU58 coins are scarce and true Mint State pieces are rare, with only a small number believed to meet today’s strict Uncirculated standards. That scarcity, combined with the Charlotte mintmark’s appeal, makes an MS61 example a meaningful step up for the specialist and an impressive centerpiece for the type collector.
Strike and design quality (issue characteristics)
The 1853-C is typically better struck than the 1852-C.
Obverse: Central detail is generally well defined, with the main softness most often seen in the curls around Liberty’s face; the curl below the ear is notably strong on well-struck pieces. Hair detail, the top of Liberty’s head, and the bun are often sharp. Many stars show fully defined radial lines, and denticles are typically crisp.
Reverse: Usually a touch less bold than the obverse yet still above average for Charlotte half eagles. Feather detail tends to be stronger on the left wing than the right, with wing tips frequently incomplete. Claws and legs can range from fully defined to slightly weak.
An 1853-C Half Eagle in PCGS MS61 with CAC approval offers an exceptional balance of rarity, historical significance, and collector legitimacy—an ideal choice for advanced Charlotte specialists, Liberty Head gold enthusiasts, or anyone seeking a standout example of pre-Civil War U.S. branch mint gold.
