1871-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle. VF-30 (PCGS).A handsome and inviting mid-grade example of this rarer entry in the Carson City mint half eagle series. Bold khaki-gold patina dominates the in hand appearance, although both sides are further enhanced by blushes of light reddish-rose iridescence. Well balanced for the grade with plenty of bolder detail remaining in the more protected areas of the design.While the first gold coinage from Carson City coined in the facilitys first year of operation in 1870 was little more than symbolic, production in 1871 was stepped up courtesy of bullion deposits totaling $1,003,810, an increase of more than 800% from the previous year. One obverse die and two reverse dies were employed to produce the 20,770 half eagles struck in 1871. The Winter 1-A reverse die was first used in 1870, then again in 1873, showing the Carson City Mints resourcefulness in reusing still serviceable dies. The first batch of 6,100 half eagles were delivered by Coiner Granville Hosmer in January, then delivering the remaining balance of 14,670 pieces in the second half of the year. The use of gold and silver in the West was central to the local economy, especially in the more remote portions of Nevada and neighboring areas. Most of the coins that came off the mints presses went into immediate use and generally stayed in the region, rather than being exported overseas. Because there were for all intents and purposes no numismatists in the region, survivors exist more by pure happenstance than by intention. The coins saw heavy commercial use and many show the telltale evidence of the rigors of circulation. By the time interest in mintmark collecting began to pick up in the late 1890s and beyond, these coins had already been in use for more than two decades. Carson City Mint export Rusty Goe estimates that perhaps only 1% of the total output remains in existence, or roughly 200 pieces. Our own Q. David Bowers postulates that even that number might be on the high side. Unblemished examples of the 1871-CC half eagle are scarce in all grades, which fact speaks volumes about the significance of the present offering for the astute Carson City Mint gold collector.From the Drummer Collection.
