SCARCE PCGS/CAC EF40 1872-CC HALF EAGLE

Variety 1-B.

The 1872-CC is a much scarcer date than the 1871-CC and there appear to be fewer than 100 survivors from an original mintage of 16,980. It is scarce in properly graded EF grades, rare in the lower AU range and very rare in the AU55 to AU58 grades

I grade this coin a solid EF45 but it is weakly struck at the centers with a sunken appearance on the central reverse. It is uncleaned with nice natural russet color and both sides show mint luster. This date is notorious for having abraded surfaces and this specific piece is remarkably clean. It would be hard to imagine a nicer EF 1872-CC half eagle than this.

Two PCGS EF45 1872-CC half eagles have sold at auction since 2011 and both are stickered by CAC; one brought $5,463 in 2012 while the other (this piece) realized $5,750 in 2011. A non-CAC NGC EF40 realized $6,325 as Heritage 9/11: 4321.

This date becomes very expensive in AU grades which means that nice EF pieces such as this are always in demand.

CAC has approved 3 in this grade with 11 finer.

Ex Heritage 7/11: 4764 where it brought $5,750.

FROM THE POCAHONTAS COLLECTION OF CARSON CITY HALF EAGLES