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 Replies: 16 / Views: 1,603 |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3098 Posts |
This rare coin is owned by my father-in-law. He is now 97 years old and in a nursing home. The family is working to organize his finances and assets, which includes some gold coins he purchased back in October 1986. The rarest of them is this circulated 1881-CC gold half eagle, which has a mintage of only 13,000+ coins. From the few examples I've been able to find online, it appears as though the eagle's head feathers were weakly struck on this issue. I saw an AU-53 with the head feathers quite worn. I took the photos in the old paper holder, not wanting to remove it since the coin is not mine. You can see when he bought it and what he paid for it. Prices for this jump quite a bit from VF to EF. Opinions are most welcome. Thanks.     Paul Bulgerin
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Instinctively I would grade this mid-high VF, but I have little understanding of the labyrinth of CC gold grading, so I offer this with little confidence.
Edited by Coinfrog
02/10/2022 4:52 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3632 Posts |
There are signs of an old rubbing or surface cleaning, but it looks market acceptable. There is more luster than I would expect in the protected areas for VF-35.
On the obverse, the detail in the hair, in the bun, and in the curls behind the ear suggest EF-40. On the reverse, the wing tips, inner feathers, and shield verticals also suggest EF-40.
This coin sure seems to be right on the line for EF-40. Others may well see it differently, but balancing the soft strike with the luster in the protected areas seems to me to be enough to get it across the line for EF-40.
Very nice coin.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3098 Posts |
fortcollins,
Thank you for your thoughtful analysis of the coin's grade. When the time comes for him, or his family, to decide on what to do with this coin, I think it would be a wise thing to have it graded by PCGS or NGC since it could be quite valuable.
Paul Bulgerin
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6383 Posts |
Quite a lot of wear, apparently more on the reverse (which could be partly strike-related). Obverse shows parallel hairline scratches from some kind of cleaning but eye appeal is still pretty good. At this level of wear it's likely to grade problem-free. VF-35 seems fair.
Definitely needs to be slabbed. PCGS would be my first choice. This is a rare and desirable coin.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3848 Posts |
I think it is close tie between VF-35 and XF-40, but I am leaning toward VF-35 because of the possible wipe/cleaning. CC gold is something you don't see every day!
Suffering from bust half fever. Want to learn how to attribute early half dollars by die variety? Click Here: http://goccf.com/t/434955Shoot me a PM if you are looking to sell bust halves. |
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Moderator
 United States
15402 Posts |
I'm not qualified to offer a grade opinion - defer to the comments by experts such as fortcollins whose stated views resonate well with me. I am qualified to say that this is a rare and desirable coin and I'm pleased that you showed it to us. Fully concur that when this example is brought to the market it should be housed in a top tier TPG holder. Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1048 Posts |
I'm afraid I lean a bit lower toward VF-30. While I cannot be sure without putting it under a scope, I also think it could possibly detail as wiped or cleaned.
Something is not quite right on the reverse. If the grader calls it pocket friction, he'll grade it straight. But even if it does detail, no problem. The market is tolerant of minor surface interventions on low-mintage gold, and any buyer would feel lucky to acquire this. It is an absolutely delicious and very desirable coin, difficult to source.
You can ignore the price guides. Even if details, I think you can safely assume at least a $1000 premium to greysheet value, or more depending on the timing of the sale.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
18649 Posts |
i have her at a solid VF30 and very close to 35. I dont see it pulling XF though. still a nice piece. any way you look at it its a $3-4k piece and worth grading.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4469 Posts |
35/40 It might get a details for a cleaning as there are hairlines.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1479 Posts |
Thank you for sharing this rare coin on the forum nice very nice. Out of my league will defer further comment.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3098 Posts |
Thanks for the responses. It will be up to my father-in-law and my sister-in-law, who is his executor, to decide what to do with the coins.
There is also an 1881 half eagle, an 1851 $1.00 gold piece and a 1912 and 1913 Indian guarter eagle. They are all in circulated condition.
Paul Bulgerin
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
18649 Posts |
Quote:
It will be up to my father-in-law and my sister-in-law I'm sure you input will help them make the best decision especially since you have a collective grade now p.s. I think the coin grades straight |
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Moderator
United States
16677 Posts |
I am at VF30 on this wonderful example of CC gold.
Thank you for sharing!
P.S. PCGS ;-)
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4989 Posts |
I'll say EF-40. Fantastic example.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
36688 Posts |
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Replies: 16 / Views: 1,603 |
Posted 02/09/2022 7:07 pm
