1870-CC $5 AU53 PCGS. Variety 1-A....

Description

1870-CC Liberty Half Eagle, AU53
Low-Mintage, First-Year Issue
Rarely Seen Any Finer

1870-CC $5 AU53 PCGS. Variety 1-A. Ex: Rian's Bequest. After many difficulties, the Carson City Mint began coinage operations in 1870 and a small mintage of 7,675 Liberty half eagles was accomplished. The coins circulated widely in the regional economy, suffering much wear and attrition over the years. Accordingly, the 1870-CC Liberty half eagle is seldom encountered today, and high-grade examples are particularly elusive. PCGS CoinFacts estimates the surviving population at 75-100 examples in all grades, which coincides well with Rusty Goe's assessment of 75-95 examples still extant. Most examples seen are in the VF-XF grade range. The issue is rare in all AU grades and only two coins have been certified in Mint State, an MS61 specimen at PCGS and an MS62 example at NGC (10/21). In his 2020 reference, The Confident Carson City Coin Collector, Rusty Goe estimated only 4-5 examples survive in AU53, but population data has been somewhat inflated by resubmissions and crossovers.

Only one die pair was used to strike all the coins, but two die states are known for the issue. The first die state shows sharp definition on the central devices, with fine detail on Liberty's curls around her face and the eagle's neck and shield on the reverse. The second die state exhibits considerable weakness in these areas. It is likely that this lack of detail resulted from improper spacing of the dies or incorrect pressure settings on the coin press, rather than actual wear, as the mintage was quite small. Only about 25% of survivors show the sharp strike that characterizes the first die state.

Rusty Goe calls the present coin "The highest quality specimen in this (AU53) class." This coin is from an early die state, with strongly impressed central devices. This piece exhibits just a touch of actual wear on the design elements and the strike is far above average for the issue. The attractive orange-gold surfaces are lightly abraded, with only scattered small marks and light scratches evident. Overall visual appeal is outstanding for this popular branch mint rarity. This coin is pictured on PCGS CoinFacts. Population: 5 in 53, 7 finer (10/21).
Ex: Dallas Signature (Heritage, 4/2017), lot 15940.
From The Rian's Bequest Collection. (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.

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