The 1846-C Liberty Half Eagle (Buy on eBay) had a mintage of 12,995 coins. The majority ended up in circulation, and very few examples are known to exist in higher grades. Even in lower grades this is a very difficult coin to find, especially with problem-free surfaces, as most will feature cleaning or damage.
Charlotte gold coins, like gold coins from the other Southern Branch Mints, have become increasingly popular during the last couple of years, resulting in a broader collector base. With the true rarity of some of these issues now more fully understood, high quality, problem-free examples with a sharp strike sell for considerably more money than the average coin found at today’s auction.
It has been estimated that the total surviving population of 1846-C Liberty Head Half Eagles is around 50 to 60 examples. Around a dozen examples have been certified by PCGS or NGC in uncirculated grades, with a single example in gem condition.
Coin Specifications
- Designer: Christian Gobrecht
- Composition: 90% Gold, 10% Copper
- Weight: 8.359 grams
- Diameter: 21.6 mm
- Edge: Reeded
