1857-C Half Eagle (1857-C $5) NGC MS60. This Charlotte Mint 1857-C half eagle has even gold on both sides. Mint luster shows on the top of Libertys head and hair. For the reverse, the luster is evident on the top of the eagles wings and head, as well as most of its feathers and shield.

There are two tiny ticks in the obverse field in front of Libertys neck and a few in the reverse field above the eagles head. The strike is full and sharp. All of Libertys hair details are clear, and on the reverse the azure and gules (horizontal and vertical lines in the shield) are intact and fully visible. This sharp strike is unusual for this date and mint mark, which is usually found weak in the centers of both the obverse and reverse. The coin is very rare in AU and extremely so in uncirculated condition.

Christian Gobrechts Coronet Heads, No Motto half eagles were minted from 1839 to 1866, when the motto IN GOD WE TRUST was added. The Motto Added coins lasted until 1908, when they were replaced by an entirely new design, Bella Lyon Pratts Indian Head design. The first type of the No Motto design had the mint mark on the obverse above the date. Type II, such as the present coin, placed the mint mark above the denomination just under (and sometimes on) the eagle.