1875-CC Liberty Head Half Eagle. Winter 1-B. AU-50 (PCGS). Delicate pale silver highlights enliven otherwise honey-gold surfaces on both sides of this wonderfully original example. Pleasingly smooth with appreciable frosty luster in evidence, a touch of high point wear hardly interferes with a generally sharp strike.<p>The wealth of the Comstock Lode began to flow to the Mint in earnest in 1875. Not only was silver being extracted in huge quantities, a sizable amount of gold was also coming out of the famous Consolidated Virginia Mine; fully half of the governments $1.5 million purchase of bullion in mid-1875 was gold. Coining was focused on the double eagle in 1875 rather than the two smaller denominations, as well as large quantities of trade dollars. Care in striking appears to have not been much of a concern for half eagles, resulting in what Doug Winter calls "...one of the worst struck Carson City half eagles." Soft indistinct strikes are the norm in this year, making choice examples especially desirable. Two different obverse and two different reverse dies paired in three different die marriages have been identified. Coiner William Hy Doane delivered 8,145 half eagles in the first half of the year before he turned over the reins to Levi Dague in August. The final batch of 3,683 coins was delivered in December. Even with this almost desultory production run, Carson City still led production in half eagles for the year. These few coins entered circulation and served the monetary needs of the local economy for years.<p>In a series well known for condition rarities, the 1875-CC stands out as one of the most challenging. Mint State examples are extraordinarily elusive for this issue. Estimates vary as to the total number of extant specimens at the circulated level, from as few as 90 to as many as 150. All the experts agree that there are only two confirmed Mint State examples known. For collectors that find the Mint State coins out of reach either due to cost or unavailability -- which are obviously most numismatists in todays market -- the next best thing are the handful of premium quality About Uncirculated survivors. These are rare in their own right, and market offerings are nearly as few as they are for the Uncirculated pieces. Interested parties are urged to pursue this offering with vigor for, once this coin sells, it may be years, if not decades before a similar opportunity presents itself. PCGS# 8337. NGC ID: 25WU. PCGS Population: 7; 13 finer, just one of which is Mint State (MS-61). From the Fairmont Collection - JBR Set.
