1847-C Quarter Eagle - 1847-C $2.50 PCGS XF45. This pretty, pre-Civil War, Southern branch mint 1847-C Quarter Eagle comes in an OGH (old green holder). It has traces of mint luster remaining in protected areas. Although the coin clearly grades XF45, it has the look of an AU piece. There is slight wear on the top of Libertys head and the hair below the L in LIBERTY. The top of the coronet also shows light wear. On the reverse a small amount is seen on the upper part of the eagles wings and neck. The surfaces are original; they show abrasion marks in keeping with the grade. The strike is variable weak centers and strong peripheral elements. Most of the stars show details, and the reverse legends are strong. 

In the 1790s gold was accidentally discovered in North Carolina. 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 for gold became the main source of employment in North Carolina. The most gold produced in the United States came from North Carolina until 1848, when it was discovered in California.

The gold that was produced at Charlotte had to be refined and standardized so it would have commercial value. Private mints like the Bechtlers and Templeton Reids opened to assay the new gold and convert it to coinage. In order to standardize this coinage and because transportation to Philadelphia was so poor as a result of bandits, unfriendly Indians, and poor roads, a branch mint in Charlotte was opened in 1836.

Since the 1847-C Quarter Eagle has the highest Charlotte mintage of the series, it makes an excellent type coin for a set of Southern branch gold.