1871-CC $5 MS(PCGS#8323)

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

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

1274

等级

AU58

价格

295,550

详细说明

Stunning Choice AU 1871-CC Liberty $5 Condition Census 1871-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle. Winter-1-A. AU-58 (PCGS). CAC. The overall bold definition of the design elements as well as the good strike with only hints of softness atop the central elements as is normally found on the early coins from the Carson City Mint. On the reverse are faint traces of clashing around the eagle, displaying most conspicuously between the lower beak and left wing. With prominent satiny surfaces throughout, the devices are framed with luster, allowing the bright orange-gold color to shine through, with subtle light pink and bronze accents. A superb example of the issue with outstanding eye appeal. While the first gold coinage from Carson City coined in their first year of operation in 1870 was little more than symbolic, production in 1871 was stepped up courtesy of bullion deposits totaling $1,003,810, an increase of over 800% from the previous year. One obverse die and two reverse dies were employed to produce the 20,770 half eagles struck in 1871. The Winter 1-A reverse die was first used in 1870, then again in 1873, showing the Carson City Mint's resourcefulness in reusing still serviceable dies. The first batch of 6,100 half eagles were delivered by Coiner Granville Hosmer in January, then delivering the remaining balance of 14,670 pieces in the second half of the year. The use of gold and silver in the West was central to the local economy, especially in the more remote portions of Nevada and neighboring areas. Most of the coins that came off the mint's presses went into immediate use and generally stayed in the region, rather than exported overseas. Because there were for all intents and purposes no numismatists in the region, high grade survivors are more by pure happenstance than by intention. The coins saw heavy commercial use and many show the telltale evidence of the rigors of circulation. By the time interest in mintmark collecting began to pick up in the late 1890s and beyond, these coins had already been in use for more than two decades. Rusty Goe estimated that perhaps only 1% of the total output remains in existence, or roughly 200 pieces. Bowers postulates that even that number might be on the high side. Unblemished examples of the 1871-CC half eagle are scarce and become a particular challenge in the upper AU preservation levels. PCGS has only certified two fully Mint State examples, the highest of which is MS-62. Consequently, there is considerable market pressure on the remaining AU examples, especially those with outstanding eye appeal, as CAC has confirmed here. An exceptional specimen that nears the top of the Condition Census and worthy of a strong bid. Provenance: From the York Collection. Earlier from our March 2017 Baltimore Rarities Night sale, lot 3112. PCGS Population: 7; just 2 finer through MS-62. PCGS# 8323. NGC ID: 25WD. Click here for certification details from PCGS.