1848-C $5 MS(PCGS#8237)

February 2026 Showcase Auction - The James A. Stack, Sr. Collection Part II

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

23017

Grade

AU53

Price

9,600

Lot Description

A coin that delivers rare premium About Uncirculated quality and exceptionally strong eye appeal for a conditionally challenged Southern gold issue. Luster quality is superior for both the issue and assigned grade, the texture softly frosted with decided semi-reflective tendencies in the fields. Attractive medium honey color accented by subtle olive-orange highlights. Actual wear is minimal, the strike expectably soft in isolated areas given the issuing mint, but overall detail is sufficiently bold with many features sharp.<p>The 1848-C half eagle is a scarcer Charlotte Mint issue that is much more elusive than a mintage of 64,472 pieces might imply. This is especially true in About Uncirculated and Mint State grades, at which levels examples are rare. Of the 250 to 350 coins believed extant (per Doug Winter, 2008), in fact, most grade VF with occasional forays into the EF range. Very scarce to rare any finer, and seldom offering such strong quality and eye appeal at the certified AU-53 level, this PCGS/CAC example is thoroughly PQ and represents the finest realistically obtainable in an 1848-C half eagle under most market conditions.