1874-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle. Winter 2-D. AU-58 (PCGS). CAC. Plenty of bold to sharp striking detail remains to tempt the advanced CC-Mint gold collector, the surfaces also with outstanding original color in dominant olive-orange. Glints of reddish-rose iridescence further enhance the appearance as the coin rotates under a light. Frosty in texture with an impressively smooth appearance overall.<p>With a total of 21,198 pieces struck, Carson City produced more half eagles in 1874 than at either Philadelphia (with only 3,488 coins) or at San Francisco (with 16,000 coins). Carson Citys output was almost exclusively used locally where the denomination served yeomans duty in daily commercial activity, rather than in international trade like many of the coins produced at Philadelphia and even San Francisco. Despite this, there is a very high attrition rate among Carson City half eagles, with at most around 1% remaining. The 1874-CC half eagle is the most accessible of the denomination from this decade with as many as 200 to 250 extant specimens (per Rusty Goe, 2020). As with most issues from this storied Nevada facility, by far the vast majority of these coins are in the VF or EF grade levels. The coin offered here retains an uncommon amount of sharp detail for this highly desirable issue which, when combined with richly original surfaces, confirms it as one of the finest obtainable in todays highly competitive numismatic market. PCGS# 8334. NGC ID: 25WP. PCGS Population: 9; 5 finer (MS-63+ finest).<p>CAC Population: 5; 1. From the Fairmont Collection - JBR Set.
