A wonderfully original and remarkably well preserved example of the extremely challenging 1870-CC half dollar. Warm sandy-mauve patina blankets surfaces that present a smooth and inviting appearance. There is a tremendous amount of detail remaining for an issue that, when offered at all, is apt to be in the lowest circulated grades. The devices are boldly to sharply defined throughout, in fact, and further establish this piece as an important condition rarity from the first year of Carson City Mint operations.The extreme popularity of Carson City Mint coinage as a whole with todays numismatists guarantees pride of place for the 1870-CC half dollar. The premier issue of this denomination struck at the Nevada coinage facility, it is vies with the 1874-CC Arrows and 1878-CC as the rarest. The mintage for the 1870-CC is 54,617 pieces, a respectable total for an early Carson City Mint silver issue, but extremely limited when compared to most of its contemporaries from the Philadelphia and San Francisco mints. (The 1870-S half dollar, for example, was produced to the extent of 1,004,000 pieces.) This issue saw immediate and extensive circulation on the frontier, through which usage virtually the entire mintage was eventually lost. In our August 2012 catalog for the Battle Born Collection, Carson City Mint expert Rusty Goe accounts for only 145 to 165 survivors in all grades, the vast majority of which are heavily worn, many likewise impaired from having seen considerable commercial use. The number of Mint State coins can be counted on two hands, while only slightly less rare are About Uncirculated examples, as here. In addition to its desirability with Carson City Mint aficionados, the 1870-CC enjoys equally strong demand from a legion of specialists in Liberty Seated coinage. It ranks among the top five rarities (as an issue) in this circulation strike half dollar series alongside the 1853-O No Arrows, 1878-S, and the aforementioned 1874-CC Arrows and 1878-CC. Demand from both segments of the numismatic hobby far exceeds the supply of 1870-CC half dollars, particularly in grades above EF. A highly significant offering, we anticipate strong bidder competition and an equally strong realized price from this coins current auction appearance.,,PCGS# 6328. NGC ID: 24K2.,PCGS Population: 5; 10 finer, only four of which are Mint State (MS-64 finest).,
