SPECTACULAR 1878-CC HALF DOLLAR

WB-101.

After three years of high production for the half dollar design, mintages dropped noticeably in 1878, the final year which the Carson City mint struck half dollars. This was obviously the result of the introduction of the Morgan Dollar, and there were just 62,000 1878-CC half dollars struck. A case can be made for calling this the rarest of the 10 Carson City half dollar struck, but it is far less rare in high grades than the 1870-CC or 1871-CC.

There are five separate Gems known, all graded MS65. The nicest is likely the Eliasberg coin, now graded MS65 by PCGS, which realized $77,000 in 1997. Two or three are also known in PCGS MS64 of which the Old West Collection piece is clearly the finest. In fact, I think this ultra-PQ coin compares very favorably with at least one or two of the 1878-CC halves in PCGS MS65 holders.

The obverse is extremely frosty and vibrant with splashes of burnt-gold color surrounding a mostly white center; the reverse shows concentric rings of vivid multi-hued iridescence. The strike is very sharp and there are just a few small ticks in the right obverse field. As I stated above, this coin is really high end and it would certainly not look out-of-place in a 65 holder.

There is but a single auction record for this date in PCGS MS64 and it was back in late 2010 when Stack’s sold the former Norweb coin for $32,200. The Gardner I: 30520 coin, graded MS65 by PCGS and approved by CAC, sold for $64,625.

This coin needs to be seen in-hand to be fully appreciated but suffice to say, I am very impressed with it.

From the Old West Collection and obtained via private treaty sale.

Old West Collection of Carson City Half Dollars

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