1873-CC $1 Liberty Seated Silver Dollar PCGS AU-55

1873-CC Liberty Seated Dollar in PCGS Old Green Holder (Gen. 3.0, 1990-1993)

Described by Q. David Bowers as “the most famous and rarest” Carson City Mint Liberty Seated dollar, the 1873-CC is a numismatic treasure. PCGS has graded only 8 coins at AU55, with just 6 finer, and Collectors Universe values this issue at $145,000 in AU55.

Minted in 1873, the same year the U.S. Trade dollar debuted, the 1873-CC had a reported mintage of 2,300 coins (1,000 in January, 1,300 in March, per Bowers). NGC Coin Explorer estimates only 100 survive today. Historian R.W. Julian suggests that the 2,300 coins were likely struck for a silver depositor but may have been melted if not claimed, with the bullion possibly recoined into Trade dollars. If released, Julian posits they were primarily intended for export to China, as Trade dollars contained 378 grains of fine silver compared to the Seated dollar’s 371.25 grains, offering greater value in Asian markets.

Ex. Heritage, The Collection of Donald E. Bently, sold for the benefit of the Bently Foundation. March 20, 2014, Lot #30121, we in was described, in part, as "Typically sharply struck, as were many Carson City Seated dollars, this example displays minor weakness on the highest points of Liberty's head and on some of the obverse star centrils. The obverse displays natural silver-gray toning, with a few areas of deeper grayish-tan and specks of olive-russet patina. The reverse exhibits a primary coating of brilliant-gray that yields to gold-tan color over the high points. A reasonable number of trivial marks and wispy hairlines are noted, for the grade, while a couple of individually noteworthy abrasions reside in the obverse field, just to the right of Liberty between the elbow and knee. Population: 7 in 55, 5 finer (2/14)."