1852-C Half Eagle (1852-C $5) NGC MS61. This creamy mint state 1852-C Half Eagle has subdued luster smoldering within its devices. Light surface abrasion keeps the coin from a higher mint state grade. For the sake of accuracy, a small scratch is noted across the top of the shield. Except for the curl below the ear, the strike is strong on the obverse, a little less so on the reverse. The design shows Christian Gobrechts Liberty Head Coronet motif. Liberty, in profile, faces left surrounded by thirteen stars with the date below. She wears a Coronet inscribed LIBERTY, and her hair is tied with beads. Near the edge of the coin are dentils, which are on both sides. The reverse depicts a heraldic eagle facing left. In its talons it holds the olive branch and arrows, symbols of peace and preparedness. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA are in an arc around the eagle, interrupted by its wing tips. The denomination FIVE D. separated by dots is below. The mintmark, C for Charlotte, appears above the V.

The first gold rush in the United States took place in the South. Gold was discovered on Cherokee land in the early 1800s, and miners soon arrived to get rich extracting dust and oar. Unfortunately, at that time, there were only private individuals who did refining; consequently, the quality of the coins or ingots was variable. The alternative was to ship the raw gold to Philadelphia, which was a long and dangerous trip. To ameliorate this situation, the government established branch mints in the South at Dahlonega, Georgia and in North Carolina at Charlotte.

All Charlotte gold coins are scarce. They are highly sought after by collectors and investors. In its population report NGC shows 217 coins in all grades for this date.