1873-CC 50C NO ARROWS

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Incredibly Rare Gem Uncirculated 1873-CC No Arrows Half Dollar

1873-CC 50C No Arrows MS 66 PCGS. The 1873-CC No Arrows is the first of two half dollars produced at the Carson City Mint this year. Federal records state that 122,500 coins were produced, a total that is similar to that of the 1871-CC (153,950 coins). While the latter issue owes its rarity to widespread circulation, most 1873-CC No Arrows never found their way into the channels of commerce. The passage of the Mint Act of February 12, 1873 forced the Carson City Mint to melt most of these coins, with the bullion being used to produce 1873-CC With Arrows halves.
Today, the 1873-CC No Arrows is an elusive coin in all grades. In fact, Randy Wiley and Bill Bugert (1993) rank the 1873-CC No Arrows as the seventh rarest issue out of the 122 dates in the Seated half dollar series. Most survivors fall into the Good-Very Fine grade range, and it is unlikely that more than six Mint State coins are extant. The rarity of this issue in Mint State is such that John Jay Pittman's representative was graded VG by Akers (5/98), and the Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection (Bowers & Merena, 4/97) offered an AU coin as lot 2023. On the other hand, the Garrett Collection did contain a Mint State 1873-CC No Arrows half dollar, and that is the Gem that we are proud to offer here.
The extraordinary technical quality of this coin suggests that it may have been preserved by the Assay Commission, the "benefactors" who unknowingly provided today's collectors with high quality examples of such rarities as the 1873-CC No Arrows Seated quarter and the 1873-CC No Arrows Seated dime. Coruscant mint frost swirls around both sides and the champagne-gold patina, while light, is an added boon to the overall eye appeal. The striking definition is basically full and there is not even a single abrasion that would cast doubt upon the assigned grade. A single, faint planchet streak (as produced) in the field above Liberty's ankle is the only worthwhile pedigree marker. NGC and PCGS combined report three coins in MS 66 (including resubmissions?) and none are finer (7/00).
Ex: Garrett I (Bowers & Ruddy, 11/79), lot 354, where it realized $30,000; April 1999 Central States Numismatic Society Signature Sale--The Waldo E. Bolen, Jr. Collection of 1873-CC Coinage (Heritage, 4/99), lot 5924, where it realized $69,000.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 24KC, PCGS# 6338, GSID# 6363)

Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Weight: 12.44 grams
ASW: 0.35996oz
Mintage: 122,500

View Certification Details from PCGS

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