1853-C $5.00 NGC AU50

This example has the exact look that I really like on a Southern branch mint coin: dark, deep russet and green-gold splashes with plenty of dirt seen in the protected areas. There isn't any luster to speak of but this is primarily on account on the depth of the color. There is a small hairline in the left obverse field and a tiny rim mark at 4:00 that appears to be of mint origin. Good value at less than $3,000.

1853-C $1.00 PCGS EF45 CAC

Affordable, collector-grade gold dollars from Charlotte are hard to find for two reasons: they generally didn't circulate enough to be worn down to the EF grade range and their small size meant that their chance to survive this long in circulation was far less than, say, a half eagle. This is a wholesome, original example with nice even green-gold color that shows some light orange accents in the fields. A small rough patch in the upper left obverse field appears to be mint-made. Only two PCGS EF45 examples of this issue have appeared at auction since 2006.

CAC has approved just one in this grade with six better. From the RYK Collection.

1853-C $5.00 NGC AU55

I bought this coin at the recent Denver ANA show from a dealer who imports coins from Europe. I was surprised to see it in his inventory and so few Charlotte coins seem to have been sent to Europe and when I asked him how often he brought Charlotte and Dahlonega gold coins back to the States he replied "very infrequently; maybe just a few times a year." This delightfully crusty example has deep, dark green-gold color with plenty of dirt in the recesses. There are a few scuffs in the fields but this pierce has very acceptable surfaces for the grade and the color is far, far above-average. This is a nice choice for the collector who wants a single high quality Charlotte half eagle for his set.