1872-CC $5 MS(PCGS#8326)

August 2018 ANA U.S. Coins Auction Philadelphia, PA

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

1275

等级

AU58

价格

238,082

详细说明

Condition Census 1872-CC Half Eagle The Nevada Collection-Battle Born Specimen 1872-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle. AU-58 (PCGS). Likely the finest known example this rare and conditionally challenging issue, this is the second time in six years that your cataloger (JLA) has had the opportunity to handle this, perhaps the most famous and desirable of all 1872-CC half eagles. This is not a well produced issue and this coin is the most sharply struck survivor known. Both sides exhibit excellent delineation to the finer elements of the design in most areas, with the troublesome central high points revealing an uncommon boldness of detail. Of particular note is the definition to the hair curls above and below Liberty's ear on the obverse, as well as the eagle's neck feathers in the center of the reverse. Soft, satiny luster mingles nicely with warm khaki-orange patina, both sides presenting a uniform appearance. A short, sharp clash mark at Liberty's throat from the eagle's wing on the reverse is noted, as struck and readily evident on many 1872-CC half eagles. There are few distracting abrasions, although we mention several light, wispy hairlines. A series of tiny marks in the left obverse field before Liberty's nose and forehead are valuable for provenance purposes. The 1872-CC (16,980 coins struck) is much rarer than the 1871-CC in all grades and is tied with the 1873-CC as the second rarest Carson City Mint half eagle in high grades after the 1878-CC. Unlike the 1870-CC, 1871-CC and 1873-CC, the 1872-CC is unknown in Mint State. At the top of the Condition Census for this very challenging issue, therefore, is a trio of AU-58s certified by PCGS. We have only been able to positive identify two of these grading events as representing different coins: 1 - PCGS AU-58.Ex our (Stack's) Public Auction Sale of May 1989, lot 394; Doug Winter and Lee Minshull, September 1998; Nevada Collection; our sale of the Battle Born Collection of Carson City Mint Coinage, August 2012, lot 11003. The present example, and the plate coin for the issue on page 30 of the 2001 book Gold Coins of the Carson City Mintby Douglas Winter and James L. Halperin. 2 - PCGS AU-58.Ex our (Bowers and Merena's) Denver ANA Auction, August 2006, lot 4241. A trio of AU-58s are also listed at NGC, at least one of which might represent an early submission of one of the PCGS coins delineated above. Estimates on the number of 1872-CC half eagles extant in all grades vary among numismatic experts. Carson City Mint expert Rusty Goe provided an estimate of 125 to 150 coins in his cataloging for this coin when offered as part of our August 2012 Battle Born Collection sale. Q. David Bowers says 60 to 90 pieces, while the experts at PCGS CoinFactsstates less specifically "less than 100 known." Rare in any event, especially so in the finest circulated grades, the inclusion of any 1872-CC half eagle is the sign of a significant numismatic cabinet. Provenance: From the York Collection. Earlier ex our (Stack's) Public Auction Sale of May 1989, lot 394; Doug Winter and Lee Minshull, September 1998; Nevada Collection; our sale of the Battle Born Collection of Carson City Mint Coinage, August 2012, lot 11003. The plate coin for the issue on page 30 of the 2001 book Gold Coins of the Carson City Mintby Douglas Winter and James L. Halperin. PCGS Population: just 3; 0 finer. PCGS# 8326. NGC ID: 25WG. Click here for certification details from PCGS.