1850-C $5 Weak C (1850-C Weak C Half Eagle), PCGS AU55 CAC. This rare, Southern branch mint, lustrous 1850-C Half Eagle is very choice for the grade. Light abrasion and wear, in keeping with the grade, are seen and confirmed by CAC. The coin shows central weakness in addition to having a weak mintmark. Clash marks are seen, especially on the lower reverse. These marks do not detract from the grade or the coins value. In the 1790s gold was accidentally discovered in North Carolina. The first United States Gold Rush took place in the early 1800s in North Carolina and Georgia. In the area around Charlotte, North Carolina almost 100 gold mines were in operation. Second only to farming, prospecting for gold became the main source of employment in North Carolina. The most gold produced in the United States came from North Carolina until 1848, when it was discovered in California.

The gold that was produced at Charlotte had to be refined and standardized so it would have commercial value. Private mints like the Bechtlers and Templeton Reids opened to assay the new gold and convert it to coinage. In order to standardize this coinage and because transportation to Philadelphia was so poor as a result of bandits, unfriendly Indians, and poor roads, a branch mint in Charlotte was opened in 1836.

All Charlotte gold coins are scarce. Much of it is rare, and some is extremely rare because of a combination of low mintages and melting overseas. Many coins that were minted before the Civil War were used to purchase armaments abroad. Much of this coinage was melted in Europe to make coins of the realm. Only a tiny fraction of the C mint coinage survives today. In its population report, PCGS shows 2 Weak C coins in AU55 condition with none better. NGC shows 4 with 8 better. CAC has two, the present coin and one in XF45.