1
281
bid online at
(800) 978-COIN (2646)
|
Session Four - Tuesday, June 3, 2014 6:00 PM
H
IGH
G
RADE
1872-CC $5 L
IBERTY
1835
1872-CC
.
PCGS graded AU-53
. Nice golden toning. Only
16,980 minted of which merely 92 examples are estimated
to have survived. This die has the mintmark entered mid-
way between the denomination and the eagle. Abundant
luster accompanies the borders and the recessed areas of
the devices but also well out across the obverse and
reverse field. The surfaces are refreshingly free from the
usual abrasions from circulation. The stars as well as Lib-
erty's hair curls and the eagle's neck and fletching are
almost fully brought up, however, the eagle's neck plumage
has less detail. Light die clashmarks are noted below the
eagle's beak and below Liberty's chin. With this few struck,
the majority of the 100 or so extant pieces are in Very Fine
and lower grades.
Pop 7; 9 finer, 6 in 55, 3 in 58
.
(
PCGS # 8326
)
According to CC-mint researcher Rusty Goe "at the turn of
the 21st century, the 1872-CC is the only date in the Carson
City half eagle series that has not had a specimen graded in
Mint State condition by either PCGS or NGC."
Estimated Value .....................................$16,000 - 17,000
Enlargement
1836
1873 Closed 3 NGC graded Proof Details
. Brushed. Only 25
minted. Quite scarce. Well struck with light golden toning. A
very elusive Proof example of the 1873 half eagle, one of just
25 coined. Although cleaned and buffed, this is still an impres-
sively sharp, well made Half Eagle. Until the 1880s, most Proofs
were struck on an old screw press at the mint. This imparted a
strong “squeeze” to the coin from the sharp dies, impressing
even the finest design elements into the planchet. A prized rar-
ity, the Proofs are of the Close 3 variety. Nine to 12 examples
can be traced today.
The Breen encyclopedia notes that the Proof 1873 Half Eagle
differs from the Three Dollar and smaller denominations in that
restrikes at a later date are not believed to have been struck (he
emphasizes with "no hint" of them). If true, the mintage of 25
pieces stands and attrition has reduced the number to an
appreciably smaller pool of survivors.
Estimated Value ..............................................$3,000 - 3,500
1837
1874-S
.
SEGS graded VF-30
. Light marks in the fields. Only
16,000 struck.
Estimated Value ................................................... $500 - 550
1838
1878
.
PCGS graded MS-63.
CAC Approved
. Well struck.
Following the Resumption Act of 1875, which the government
established to return paper money to par against gold coins,
swift progress was made in stabilizing the money markets. By
late 1878, smaller denomination gold coin production had
increased dramatically. January 1, 1879, and bank payout in
gold at 100 cents on the dollar against paper money came back
into play after 14 years of often-times chaotic money markets.
This attractive, frosty 1878 Half Eagle played its part in return-
ing the country to the gold standard. De facto only, an official
gold standard was not put in place until the Gold Standard Act
of 1900 was passed by Congress and signed by President Cleve-
land.
Pop 25; 18 finer at PCGS.
(
PCGS # 8345
)
Estimated Value ..............................................$1,400 - 1,500
1839
1881
.
NGC graded MS-64 PQ.
CAC Approved
. Mostly
untoned and well struck.
Pop 727; 98 finer
. (
PCGS # 8354
)
Estimated Value ..............................................$1,100 - 1,200
