1855-C Half Eagle (1855-C $5) NGC MS62. Subdued mint luster outlines the devices of this lovely, mint state 1855-C Half Eagle. Very light abrasion and wear on the highest points, keep this coin from a higher mint state grade. Except for slight weakness on the arrows, the strike is strong, especially on the obverse. An unusual aspect of this particular date is the way the fives in the date slant up to the right. The 1855-C half eagle is often seen as a seawater uncirculated coin. This means that the coins were salvaged and show etching as a result of being underwater for some time. A number of such coins were salvaged in 1972. However, the present coin shows no sign of having been in a shipwreck.

Designed by Christian Gobrecht, this half eagle motif was first struck in 1839. The design continued in use until 1908, when it was replaced by Pratts Indian Head design. In 1866 the motto IN GOD WE TRUST was added to all coins that could accommodate it, including the half eagle. Because of this change, the 1855 is a Type 1 coin for this design.

On the obverse Liberty is seen in profile facing left. Two curls fall down her neck, but the rest of her hair is tied with beads. On her head she wears a LIBERTY inscribed coronet. Thirteen six-pointed stars are above her head, and the date is below. Dentils are around the periphery on both sides of the coin. The heraldic eagle on the reverse looks to the left. Its wings are uplifted as it holds symbols of peace and preparedness in each talon. The olive branch is in the right talon, and the arrows are in the left. The Union shield is seen in the center of the eagles breast. In an arc above the eagle, is the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, which is interrupted by the tips of the wings. The denomination, written as FIVE D. is below, separated by dots. The mintmark, C, is below the juncture of the olive branch and arrow above the E.

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 became the main source of employment in North Carolina. The most gold produced in the United States came from the South until 1848, when it was discovered in California.

The Charlotte Mint produced coins from 1838 to 1861 except for 1845, when a fire burned the building down. Only gold coins were minted in Charlotte. It was taken over by the Confederacy during the Civil War but was subsequently lost back to the Union.

All Charlotte gold is rare and eagerly sought by investors and collectors. The original mintage of the 1855-C was 39,788. In its population report NGC shows 4 in MS62 with 3 better.