By Doug Winter – RareGoldcoins.com
CoinWeek Content Partner ……
The completion of any set of classic United States gold coinage is an important feat. When the set in question is a complete set of Charlotte gold… well, that’s truly a feat that deserves a blog!
The Revere Collection of Charlotte gold is an impressive set that includes a high-grade example of every single coin struck at the Charlotte Mint, with the exception of the excessively rare 1849-C Open Wreath gold dollar. What’s more impressive is that the coins are mostly Uncirculated.
The first Charlotte coin I sold this collector was about four or five years ago, and I soon learned that the Revere Collection was already around one-third complete. I spoke at length with the collector, helped him focus his goal, selling off some weaker coins (purchased before I had came into the picture) in the process.
Can you guess which coin took me over two years of searching to find, and which I finally found to complete the Revere Collection?
Hint: it isn’t what you think it is (answer below).
I would venture to guess that fewer than dozen complete sets of Charlotte gold have ever been assembled (this, of course, does not include the ultra-rare 1849-C Open Wreath dollar). I have personally assembled six complete sets and have handled two of the five known 1849-C OW dollars.
Highlights of the Revere Collection are as follows:
Gold Dollars:
- 1849-C Closed Wreath, PCGS MS63
- 1852-C, NGC MS65
- 1853-C, PCGS MS64
Quarter Eagles:
- 1846-C, PCGS MS62
- 1848-C, PCGS MS62
- 1855-C, PCGS MS63
Half Eagles:
- 1840-C, PCGS/CAC MS63
- 1860-C, NGC MS64
- 1861-C, NGC MS61
Now, to the Missing Link. Have you ventured a guess as to which C-Mint coin took me so long to find?
The answer is the 1843-C Small Date quarter eagle, and if you guessed this issue, give yourself a pat on the back.
An 1843-C Small Date $2.50 in NGC AU58
The rarity of this date is well-known, and my most recent book on Charlotte gold ranks this as the single-rarest Charlotte quarter eagle from this mint. That said, I used to encounter this date all the time, even in reasonably higher grades. But for some reason, the availability of the 1843-C Small Date has changed over the last three to five years and this was proven by my Epic Quest to locate an acceptable example.
Around a year ago, I saw an NGC AU50 example but it was scrubby and I passed on it. Six months ago, I found a nice old green holder (OGH) PCGS AU58 but it was priced at a number that made no sense given its grade. Finally, one was included in the Gibson II collection I purchased in June 2016. Before listing it on my site, I called the owner of the Revere Collection and gave him the good news.
The Revere Collection might see a little fine tuning here and there but it is finally finished and the owner deserves a hearty congratulations (and a sincere thank you) from Douglas Winter Numismatics.
Would you like to build a set of rare date gold coinage? We would love to work with you and can help you whether you want to focus on Charlotte issues or coins from other mints. Call or email Doug Winter to discuss your goals.
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About Doug Winter
Doug has spent much of his life in the field of numismatics; beginning collecting coins at the age of seven, and by the time he was 10 years old, buying and selling coins at conventions in the New York City area.
In 1989, he founded Douglas Winter Numismatics, and his firm specializes in buying and selling choice and rare United States coins, especially US gold coins and all branch mint material.
Recognized as one of the leading specialized numismatic firms, Doug is an award winning author of over a dozen numismatic books and the recognized expert on US Gold. His knowledge and exceptional eye for properly graded and original coins has made him one of the most respected figures in the numismatic community and a sought after dealer by collectors and investors looking for professional personalized service, a select inventory of impeccable quality and fair and honest pricing. Doug is also a major buyer of all US coins and is always looking to purchase collections both large and small. He can be reached at 214-675-9897.
Doug has been a contributor to the Guidebook of United States Coins (also known as the “Redbook”) since 1983, Walter Breen’s Encyclopedia of United States and Colonial Coins, Q. David Bowers’ Encyclopedia of United States Silver Dollars and Andrew Pollock’s United States Pattern and Related Issues
In addition he has authored 13 books on US Gold coins including:
- Gold Coins of the New Orleans Mint: 1839-1909
- Gold Coins of the Carson City Mint: 1870 – 1893
- Gold Coins of the Charlotte Mint: 1838-1861
- Gold Coins of the Dahlonega Mint 1838-1861
- The United States $3 Gold Pieces 1854-1889
- Carson City Gold Coinage 1870-1893: A Rarity and Condition Census Update
- An Insider’s Guide to Collecting Type One Double Eagles
- The Connoisseur’s Guide to United States Gold Coins
- A Collector’s Guide To Indian Head Quarter Eagles
- The Acadiana Collection of New Orleans Coinage
- Type Three Double Eagles, 1877-1907: A Numismatic History and Analysis
- Gold Coins of the Dahlonega Mint, 1838-1861: A Numismatic History and Analysis
- Type Two Double Eagles, 1866-1876: A Numismatic History and Analysis
Finally Doug is a member of virtually every major numismatic organization, professional trade group and major coin association in the US.
If you are interested in buying or selling classic US coins or if you would like to have the world’s leading expert work with you assembling a set of coins? Contact Doug Winter at (214) 675-9897 or by email at [email protected].
