RARE 1873-CC HALF EAGLE

The three rarest Carson City half eagles are the 1870-CC, 1873-CC and the 1878-CC. Of the three, I have handled fewer nice 1873-CC’s and I think a case can be made for calling this the rarest half eagle from this mint. Well under 100 are known and many are seen in very low grades or with damage. There are not many available in the EF grade range and this date is rare and very expensive above EF45.

This coin is very likely a full AU50 based on the amount of remaining luster but it shows a typical lightness of strike which characterizes this issue and it “looks” EF instead. Both the obverse and the reverse lack the serious marks seen on so many 1873-CC half eagles and both sides are covered with intense fiery orange-gold color which adds considerable eye appeal. The only negative about this exceptional coin is a small dig in the right obverse field and this is not overly detracting.

Two comparables have sold at auction since 2013. A PCGS EF45 with scratches noted on the obverse realized $15,275 as Stacks Bowers 5/13: 2480 while an NGC EF45 (which I graded EF40) realized $14,688 as Heritage 3/14: 30330. A very nice, fresh-to-the-market PCGS EF45 sold on EBay in 2015 for $21,000.

This date is almost never offered for sale in higher grades and this piece is the best available quality at under $20,000. An important coin for the advanced specialist.

Ex Heritage 2008 ANA: 1976 where it sold for $14,950.