1849  C-1  R2-  MS63+.   30% red obverse.  Very glossy.  One of the finest known.  Ex Tony Terranova 11/14/06-Michael Spurlock.

 M&G assessment:  MS63.   Very attractive with 35% of the original mint red remaining.  The obverse has delicate but clear doubling on the date and most of the obverse devices thanks to die bounce.  EDS, the fields smooth and hard.  Exceptionally nice for an 1849.

 1850  C-1  R2-  MS60.   Brown and glossy.  Removed from a PCGS slab graded MS63BN (#9916688, population 27/18).  Ex Heritage FUN online #423:60159-Michael Spurlock.

 M&G assessment:  Concur.  EDS with slightly reflective fields.  A few shallow low spots on both sides from debris on the dies.  Trace of mint color shows through on the reverse.

 1850  C-1  R2-  MS62.   Glossy medium brown with traces of mint red on the reverse.  EDS with slightly reflective fields.  Ex Tom Reynolds-Michael Spurlock.

 M&G assessment:  Concur.

 1851  C-1  R1  MS64+.   Frosty mint red mellowing to light steel brown on the highpoints, 85% of the mint color remaining.  MDS.  A few microscopic ticks on the cheek, all visible only under a strong light.  Removed from a PCGS slab graded MS64RD (#05987406, population 3/0).  Ex Pinnacle Rarities 12/27/06-Michael Spurlock.

 M&G assessment:  MS64.  Frosty and quite attractive.  Much more mint color than normally found on this date.

 1853  C-1  R1  MS63.   Choice.  Satiny and flawless with traces of mint color in a few places.  Softly struck on the coronet over LIB, otherwise perfect.  E-MDS, Manley 1.0.  Removed from an NGC slab graded MS67BN (#1652232-002, population 4/0) and from a PCGS slab graded MS65BN (#60224238, population 33/2).  Ex Heritage internet sale 5/1/05:24011-Michael Spurlock.

 M&G assessment:  Concur.

 1853  C-1  R1  MS63.   Mostly red uncirculated coin.  Small nick on top of obverse rim and a small spot on the bottom obverse rim.  MDS.  Ex Margaret Amato 2/10/07-Michael Spurlock.

 M&G assessment:  MS60.  Uncirculated but dipped.  Fading red turning to bluish steel.

 1854  C-1  R1+  PCGS graded Mint State-64 Red.   Lustrous mint red just starting to mellow to light steel brown on the highpoints, 90% of the red remaining.  Gem except for traces of an old fingerprint over star 1 and between stars 6 & 7.  A very shallow lump shows on the upper part of the upright of the I in UNITED.  Ex Jim McGuigan-Michael Spurlock.

 M&G assessment:  MS65 net MS64 for the fingerprints.

 1855  C-1  R1  MS65.   Choice.  A red gem.  MDS.  Removed from a PCGS slab graded MS65RD (#21011314, population 24/0).  Tied for highest slab grade.  Ex Howard Aubin (eBay) 4/20/06-Michael Spurlock.

 M&G assessment:  Concur.  95% of the bright original mint color remains.  Great eye appeal.

 1856  C-1  R2  MS63+.   Superb cartwheel luster radiates from surfaces rich with mint color.  A bit mellowed in the obverse field, usual accumulation of scattered tiny spots, shallow abrasion under star 9, spot on Liberty’s ear.  A handsome specimen, worthy of a place in a date or type set.  Removed from a PCGS slab graded MS64RD (#4013299, population 8/2).  Ex ANR 6/21/06:523-Michael Spurlock.

 M&G assessment:  MS64.  50% of the mint red remains.  Sharply struck MDS, Manley state 2.0.

 1857  C-1  R2  MS64+.   Lustrous mellowing original mint red with scattered carbon flecks over each side that keep this well defined half cent from gem status.  Struck in the denomination’s final year and from a reduced mintage of just 35,180 pieces, the 1857 has long been a favorite of collectors.  As a choice red survivor, it is also legitimately scarce.  Choice red.  Removed from a PCGS slab graded MS64RD (#04560562, population 14/2).  E-MDS.  Ex Heritage 1/4/06:536-Michael Spurlock.

 M&G assessment:  MS64.  Lustrous mint red mellowing to light steel brown, 80% of the red remaining.  Very nice for an 1857, just a few very tiny carbon specks from gem