1861-C $5 MS61 NGC. Variety 30-K. A rare and historic coin, with an original mintage of only 6,879 pieces. It has been asserted that 887 coins were struck after the Confederacy took control of the Charlotte Mint on April 20. These coins allegedly show die cracks through the tops of AMERI, and are struck from rusted dies, but such assertions are said to be unproven by Douglas Winter, a leading authority in the field of United States gold coins. On this piece there is a die crack from the reverse rim through the tops of ME. This is a well struck example whose only weakness is on the curls on Liberty's neck and the eagle's wing tips, and on the lower left (facing) obverse stars. A few small abrasions are peppered across each side, with the most notable ones being seen on the lower part of Liberty's neck and cheek, and in the upper reverse field. An important, Mint State representative of this always sought-out issue.
The 1861-C half eagle is rare in Mint State. As of August 2005, only eight Uncirculated specimens have been certified by NGC and PCGS combined. Examples above MS63 are unknown. Population: 4 in 61, 1 finer (8/05).(#8289) (Registry values: P6)