VERY RARE PCGS MS61 1870-CC

WB-101, Die Pair WB-4.

Of the three silver denominations which were produced in 1870, the first year of operations for the Carson City mint, the 1870-CC is the second most available (after the silver dollar) with an estimated 200+ known. Most of the known coins are very well worn with Extremely Fine being the grade point at which this issue becomes difficult to locate. In Uncirculated, the 1870-CC half dollar is very rare with no more than three or four known. The finest is the Hawn/Pryor/Battle Born coin which has gradeflated to PCGS MS64 but which began its Grading Journey as a PCGS MS61. The second finest is the Queller/Gardner coin which is graded MS63 by PCGS and which last sold for $129,250 in October 2014 (as PCGS MS62). The present coin offers strong claims to being the third finest and it is the only 1870-CC half dollar graded MS61 by PCGS.

This well-defined example is mostly untoned with some slight peripheral color at 1:00-3:00 on the obverse border and from 3:00 to 6:00 on the reverse. It is frosty with some slightly semi-PL reflectivity. There are some scuffs noted on both sides as well as some light hairlines (not from cleaning) but these are expected for the assigned grade. Some light friction can be seen on the thighs and breasts of Liberty (again, as expected for the assigned grade). The eye appeal is excellent mostly due to the overall vibrancy.

This exact coin is the only PCGS MS61 1870-CC half dollar ever sold at auction; see below for more information. As mentioned above, The Queller/Gardner coin brought $129,250 in the Heritage October 2014 sale.

With the PCGS MS64 off the market in the Hansen Collection, and the PCGS MS63 likely not available in the foreseeable future, the advanced collector of Carson City half dollars is left with very limited options when it comes to Uncirculated 1870-CCs.

This is clearly the highlight of the Old West Collection, and it marks the first time DWN has ever offered an Uncirculated example of this celebrated issue.

From the Old West Collection and bought privately from Northern Nevada Rare Coins.

Old West Collection of Carson City Half Dollars

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