1858-C Quarter Eagle NGC AU58 CAC. With a mintage of 9,056 piece, the 1858 quarter eagle struck at the Charlotte Mint can not be considered common at all. Yet, examples are fairly available, mostly in EF grades. Breen, in his encyclopedia, called this issue prohibitively rare in uncirculated grades. In recent times, a limited number of uncirculated coins have been graded (an estimated 10, as per Douglas Winter in his book on Charlotte gold), but these sell for a much higher cost. As a result, this is a perfect coin for the collector seeking an affordable quarter eagle struck at the Charlotte.

The full mintage of this issue was struck from a single die pair. This die pair has a notable large C mintmark on the reverse, which was also used to strike 1856-C quarter eagles. It is possible that this mintmark was actually intended for half eagles. Other characteristics of this issue include weakly struck centers, and are usually lacking much eye-appeal. Finding truly original pieces is hard, but this is one of those original pieces.

Stickered by CAC for exceptional quality, this coin is totally original. As often with gold coins of this era, the natural coloration shows a darker gold-green color. Sharper struck than most pieces of this issue, only the slightest rub on the highest points keep it out of a Mint state holder. A wonderful and affordable coin that has a big price jump in the next Mint state grades. On the reverse, a die crack, as struck runs down from the second S in STATES which only adds to the originality of this piece.