RARE AND IMPORTANT CONDITION CENSUS 1876-CC $5 ex Bass Collection

An estimated 115-135 1876-CC half eagles are known. In lower-end AU grades, this is a scarce date while nice AU55 and 58 coins are rare. I am aware of just three Uncirculated half eagles. This includes the remarkable PCGS/CAC MS66, ex Clapp, Eliasberg, Nevada, and Bender collections. This coin last sold for $780,000 in the 2022 ANA Sale; a record-smashing price for any CC half eagle.

The appearance of this coin is simply outstanding. It shows oodles of mint frost over lighter golden-yellow surfaces. Even with a 5x loupe, I fail to see any wear whatsoever. The surfaces are very choice for the issue and the overall eye appeal is very solid for the date and grade

You may have noticed a significant increase in the PCGS and NGC population figures for AU58 1876-CC half eagles. It’s my fault, as I submitted this coin at least three times to each service and every single time it came back as an AU58. I firmly believe that this coin should be in a 61 holder, and if I were the new owner of this 1876-CC, I would put it away for a few years and then around 2030, I’d resubmit in the holder (or even raw) as this coin is unlikely to ever grade lower than 58 at either service.

The Stack’s Bowers 4/2022: 5141 was graded AU58, and it was more original and nicer overall, in my opinion. That coin sold for an extremely strong $72,000.

This coin has been off the market since late 1999, and it represents an important opportunity to acquire a Condition Census example of this popular Centennial issue.

Ex Stack’s Bowers 10/1999: 1207 ($26,450), from the Harry Bass Collection.

DWN collects sales tax when appropriate.