Fewer than 100 examples of this date are known and most are in the VF-EF range. In the lower AU grades, the 1872-CC is very scarce and it is a rarity in properly graded AU55 to AU58. This date remains unknown in Uncirculated and it is the only CC half eagle which can make this claim.

This fresh-to-the-market example is the best 1872-CC half eagle that I have owned in close to a decade. It is bright and very frosty with nearly enough body to make a compelling case to grade it AU58. The obverse shows some minor friction in the fields and there are a few light marks at the edge of Liberty’s mouth; the reverse is extremely choice and grades at east AU58–if not better–on its own.

The last PCGS AU55 1872-CC half eagle to sell at auction went cheaply at $21,850 as Heritage 11/11: 4316. There are auction records as high as $28,750 for an 1872-CC in PCGS AU55 (Heritage 4/06: 1890) and a non-CAC NGC AU58 just brought $28,200 as Heritage 3/14: 30329.

After a period of neglect, Carson City half eagles have become avidly collected once again and this Condition Census example represents the chance for a specialist to own a virtually unimprovable 1872-CC.

CAC has approved three in this grade with two finer (both AU58).