The 1883-CC is the second scarcest CC half eagle from the 1880′s after the 1881-CC. Of the 12,598 struck, there are a few hundred known with most in the VF-EF range. Properly graded AU53 to AU55 examples are rare and this date is almost never seen in Uncirculated.

This coin has an interesting back story. It was purchased by me from a supplier who bought it in Europe where it had been marketed as a “common” date half eagle. This is an unusual date to find in Europe as most of the CC half eagles there are the common issues from the 1890′s. The color is exceptional with deep, even rich green-gold hues on both sides and the strike is razor sharp with boldly defined centers. The eye appeal is better than on any 1883-CC half eagle which I have seen in some time.

There has been just one APR for an AU53 1883-CC half eagle since the summer of 2011. Heritage 1/13: 7242, an NGC graded coin without CAC approval, sold for $4,406 in Heritage’s 1/13 auction. A total of nine AU’s have sold at auction since the beginning of 1993.

This is a very hard coin to find with original color and surfaces and the present example is among the nicest I have handled in some time.

CAC has approved just this one coin in AU53 with seven approved in grades higher.’