The 1853-C is a surprising challenge for both production quality and preservation. Only 11,515 pieces were struck but just about 150 are thought to survive for today's collectors. Of this population, merely 15 or so are in Mint State grades, or around 10%. Even among the Uncirculated survivors, most are found in grades of MS-62 and lower. In his reference Gold Coins of the Charlotte Mint, 1838-1861, specialist Doug Winter opens his commentary on the strike of this issue with, "This is the worst struck Type One gold dollar from the Charlotte Mint." Indeed, many show remarkable weakness at the central reverse and elsewhere. The strike on these coins can be so bad that Doug Winter further comments, "…I have not seen very many that had a fully legible 18."

The example to the left was sold by Stack's Bowers Galleries in the August 2021 Global Showcase Auction, where it realized $38,400.