1881-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle. Winter 1-A, the only known dies. AU-55 (PCGS). This gorgeous deep orange-honey example exhibits subtle pinkish-rose highlights under a light. Nearly full striking detail and abundant satin luster confirm a very short time in active commerce for this carefully preserved Choice AU 1881-CC.<p>Among the rarest of the Carson City Mint half eagles and the rarest of those from the 1880s, only 13,886 coins were struck for the 1881-CC as compared to the more than 5.7 million struck at Philadelphia that year. A single pair of dies was employed for the entire run, managing to turn out 5,640 half eagles before the facility was shut down on April 1. When the doors reopened in November, mint personnel coined an additional 8,246 examples of the denomination before the end of the year. The survival rate is a bit better than in previous years, but not by much. Scarcely more than a hundred or so are thought to remain (Rusty Goe, 2020, states 115 to 150 pieces), almost all of which are in lower degrees of preservation, generally clustered in and around the VF and EF mark. Even the scarce AU survivors are generally known for less than stellar luster and surfaces. Examples with remarkable eye appeal, such as is offered here, are very challenging to locate and are seldom available. An opportunity such as this should not be passed on lightly. From the Fairmont Collection-Hendricks Set.
