1857-C Half Eagle - 1857-C $5 NGC AU53 CAC. This well struck, pre-Civil War, Southern branch mint 1857-C Half Eagle has muted mint luster remaining within its devices. Aside from Stars 1 and 13, there are full details in the centers of the stars, Libertys hair, the eagles neck, and the area to the lower left of the shield giving the coin a medallic strike. Just a touch of wear on the highest points keeps this piece from a Mint State grade. It has the look of an AU58 piece. Part of the reason for this look is the excellent quality of the surfaces. They are original and clean for the grade with no notable individual abrasion marks. The grade is confirmed by the CAC sticker, which indicates that the piece is of premium quality and well within the range of the assigned grade.

When Mint Engraver William Kneass was unable to resume his duties after a debilitating stroke, Christian Gobrecht was asked to do his work, which included making a new half eagle that would be uniform with the eagle. The Liberty Head half eagle with no motto was minted from 1839 to 1866.

Gobrechts design shows a left facing profile of Liberty wearing a LIBERTY inscribed coronet. Her hair is tied in the back and there are two loose curls that hang down her neck. Around the head are thirteen six-pointed stars, and the date is below the truncation. At the periphery of the coin are dentils. The coin also has a reeded edge. The reverse shows a heraldic eagle similar to the one on the Classic Head eagle. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds the eagle, except for its wing tips, in an arc. The denomination is below, separated with dots, and written as FIVE D.

Charlotte gold is highly sought after by collectors and investors as well as those interested in collections with a Civil War connection. In its population report, as of September 2012, CAC has confirmed 2 in AU53 condition with 5 better.