1875-CC $5 Liberty Head Half Eagle PCGS VF30 (CAC)

This is a challenging, rare issue from the famed Carson City Mint, one that has been a perennial collector favorite. It has been estimated that there are only 125 to 150 pieces that exist today. Rusty Goe reports that as the production of Carson City double eagles increased, the other gold denominations were struck in smaller quantities. The mintage of Carson City half eagles in 1875, at 11,828 examples, was just about half of the previous year's total.

All of those coins were put into circulation in the Old West. In addition to double eagle coinage taking precedence, the mintage of silver coins was significantly increased at all the national mints in anticipation of specie resumption that was scheduled to begin in January 1879. PCGS has graded 11 as VF30 with 58 finer. Collectors Universe gives this issue a price of $7,500.00 in VF30. In CAC, there are 2 in VF30 with 13 finer. CAC prices the 1875-CC $5 at $7,500.00 in VF30.

Portrait of Christian Gobrecht, who designed and engraved the beautiful Liberty head design on the $5 gold piece. Image: Wikimedia Commons.