1851-C $2.5 (1851-C Quarter Eagle) NGC MS61. Booming with luster, this 1851-C Quarter Eagle appears to be among the best produced coins of this issue. Overall, all Charlotte Mint quarter eagles come in various degrees of striking sharpness, and this issue is no exception. Yet, as we find here, with intensive searching the specialist will be able to seek a better-than-average coin, which are often locked into collections for a longer period of time. As such, this offering should not be considered to be that of a common coin, and should be viewed with interest by many collectors of these fascinating gold coins.

The Charlotte Mint turned out a total of 14,923 pieces during 1851, a reasonable number within the context of the series and Mint. Many pieces circulated heavily during the 1850s, when the gold market was heavily influenced by the large discoveries in California. Prior to 1854, most of the gold coming out of those mines found its way to the mother Mint in Philadelphia, but some no doubt got to North-Carolina. The opposite way, during many miles of travel some Charlotte Mint issues no doubt circulated for a long period, including in far-away places like California. The luster of this coin attracts the eye immediately, as it is full and flashy. When studied further, the strike appears to be near-complete with only some small weakness in the centers. As can be expected for the grade some marks are noted in the fields, but they are not overly distracting. One interesting feature of this issue is found in the mintmark, which appears to be hidden under the branch of the eagle. However, it no doubt is one of the scarce Charlotte gold coins, which have become increasingly popular during the last decade, especially so in high grade as found here.

In its population report, NGC shows that this coin is tied for second best with 9 others in MS61 with 3 better.