1873-CC $5 MS62 PCGS....

Description

1873-CC Half Eagle, MS62
Tied for Finest Known
The Harry Bass Specimen
Only Two Mint State Examples Exist

1873-CC $5 MS62 PCGS. Ex: Harry W. Bass, Jr. This coin is among the two finest examples of one of the rarest issues of Carson City gold. This magnificent coin boasts full, frosty mint luster and medium orange-gold and yellow-gold intermixed on each side, with accents of hazel around the date area. A few light marks are present and consistent with the grade, but the surfaces are far above-average for the issue. Slight strike softness on the curls around the face of Liberty is typical, while the reverse has noticeably sharper detail. This coin combines rarity, beauty, and an impressive pedigree in one package, ranking as one of the most important Carson City gold coins of any date. Only 7,416 pieces were struck, of which today probably no more than 55-65 coins survive in all grades.
This coin was unknown to most specialists between 1976, when Harry Bass purchased it, and 1999, when it was sold as part of Bass II, realizing a remarkable price for the time. Only two Mint State specimens are known today (we have updated the Doug Winter Condition Census below), the present MS62 PCGS and one MS62 NGC coin that was formerly in an MS61 PCGS holder. The third through fifth coins are AU55 examples, with perhaps a half-dozen known in all in AU. Garrett and Guth mention this Bass piece specifically as the finest known, adding that Bass' holdings of a half-dozen examples of the 1873-CC five make the issue appear more available than it truly is. In point of fact, the 1873-CC is rare in any grade, with high-grade examples especially elusive. There are an estimated half dozen known in AU grades.
As a piece that is either the finest known (or tied for finest known, at a minimum) example of one of the rarest gold issues from the legendary Carson City Mint--and with the Bass pedigree--this coin signifies a remarkable opportunity for astute bidders.

Mint State Examples Known
The Uncirculated 1873-CC fives known are:

---MS62 PCGS. Ex: 1976 ANA Sale (Stack's, 8/1976), lot 2998; Bass II (Bowers and Merena, 10/1999), lot 1188, realized $66,125; Jay Parrino; Goldbergs (10/2000), lot 915; Legend Numismatics/Summit Rare Coins; Midwestern Collection via Doug Winter. The present example.
--MS62 NGC. Nevada Collection as MS61 PCGS; Charley Tuppen Collection; New York Gold Mart; California dealer; Doug Winter; crossed by Winter to an MS62 NGC holder.(Registry values: P3)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 25WL, PCGS# 8331, Greysheet# 9055)

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