1870-CC $5 AU55 PCGS. Variety 1-A....

Description

1870-CC Half Eagle, AU55
First-Year Carson City Rarity
Just Outside the Condition Census

1870-CC $5 AU55 PCGS. Variety 1-A. The 1870-CC date-mintmark combination is one of the most enticing in American coinage, identifying the rare gold and silver coins struck at the Carson City Mint in its first year of operation. Only 7,675 half eagles were produced of this highly sought-after first-year issue, and they circulated heavily in Western commercial channels, as intended. Between their heavy circulation and the complete lack of numismatic interest in these coins at the time, few pieces were saved for posterity. Rusty Goe estimates 75 to 95 pieces exist in all. That includes two coins in Uncirculated, four or five in AU58, and another two or three in Choice AU with the rest in lower grades.

This is the Ashland City coin not seen publicly since 2004, when it resided in an AU58 NGC holder (upgraded from AU55 NGC after a 2003 appearance). Rusty Goe says it "displays the premium-deserving sharply struck details on the typically weak areas" and notes that "collectors should not dismiss it lightly if it becomes available, because the rarity of the 1870-CC half eagles in the upper tiers on the condition census is self-evident."

Now residing in an AU55 PCGS holder, the surfaces are bright golden-yellow with a number of obvious abrasions on Liberty's face and scattered throughout the fields that identify the coin. Struck from an early state of the dies with strong detail over the centers, moreso that usual for the issue. Population: 3 in 55, 5 finer (8/22).
Ex: Ashland City Collection / FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2003), lot 4816; FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2004), lot 3042.(Registry values: P3)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 25WA, PCGS# 8320, Greysheet# 9049)

Weight: 8.36 grams

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Note for clients in the European Union: This lot is considered by the European Union to be “investment gold”. We believe that it meets the criteria established in Article 344(1), point (2) of Council Directive 2006/112/EC and thus should be exempt from import VAT regardless of the selling price. Any questions or concerns about VAT should be addressed to your accountant or local tax authority.

View Certification Details from PCGS