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Sale 44
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Lot 2187
1870-CC Liberty Seated Half Dollar. PCGS graded AU-50. Encased in PCGS holder 60096988. Light even toning on both sides. Very popular first year "CC" mint coin. Although essentially untouched by cleaning or any signs that it was ever tarnished, the smooth, light to medium gray surfaces show a few small marks that a collector can use as identifiers since this is among the finest specimens on the market today. There is a small mark near the elbow that crosses the staff holding the liberty cap. Another equally small mark is in the field a short distance from Liberty's leg. On the reverse, there is a small darkish area of toning at the 4 o'clock position near three of the dentils. The strike is excellent for this mint. That is seen in the full, clear motto IN GOD WE TRUST on the scroll above the eagle (this area is often a problem spot on With Motto dates). All in all a sensational coin for the advanced seated Liberty half dollar collector. Pop 4; 5 finer; 2 in 53; 1 in 55; 1 in 62. (PCGS # 6328) .
For a detailed account of the Carson Mint in Nevada, collectors will want to acquire a copy of Rusty Goe's "The Mint on Carson Street". In his reflections on the year 1870, the year the mint opened for business, Goe has this to say: "On February 10, 1870 the stars seems to be properly aligned and Carson City was ready for the first coins ever bearing the "CC" mintmark to be delivered. The 2,303 silver dollars set in motion the timeless love affair rooted in the operations oat the Carson City Mint. Two months later, the half dollar became the second silver denomination struck at that legendary institution. Ten days later, on April 20, 1870, quarters were produced, thus rounding out Carson City's inaugural year offering of silver coins."
Goe goes on to observe that "approximately 100 years after the 1870-CC half dollars were minted, numismatists established that no more than 40 pieces existed. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, information about a hoard of double that size came to light. When the time came, numismatic researcher Randall E. Wiley confirmed the existence of a 90 coin hoard. Wiley examined this significant hoard in 1986, attributing varieties and assigning grades. No fewer than 55 pieces graded AG to VG, 23 were F to VF, and nine received the XF rating. Only three coins qualified for the highest grade in the lot, that being About Uncirculated (AU)." This is significant for prospective bidders of the lovely About Uncirculated specimen offered in this lot!
Estimated Value $35,000 - 39,000.
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| Realized $42,550 |
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