Incredible High Grade 1871-CC Liberty Seated Dime Rarity
Condition Census Quality
1871-CC Liberty Seated Dime. Fortin-101. Rarity-5+. AU-55 (PCGS).
An appealing mixture of deep sea-green, rose, gold, and dark-olive patina blankets both sides of this satiny Choice AU example. The design elements are crisply struck, showing only traces of weakness on Liberty's head, the mintmark, and the wreath bow. High point wear is minimal, commensurate with the assigned grade, and appearing mostly on the wreath leaves. The mintage of 20,100 pieces for this first year CC-Mint dime was greatly diminished through time and attrition and just 65 to 85 are thought to exist today (per Rusty Goe, 2020). The vast majority of survivors are found in much lower grades than seen here. This date and mintmark combination has always been one of the most sought-after issues in the Liberty Seated dime series, and finding a coin with this degree of eye appeal and technical grade is virtually impossible today. Dozens of specialists seek such an example, but only one will come away with this condition rarity when the hammer falls. Reviewing past offerings confirms that many of the examples known of this issue have significant surface problems. According to Larry Briggs in his Comprehensive Encyclopedia of United States Liberty Seated Quarters, "The Carson City mint was known to shortcut their annealing process and instead of using 90% silver, 10% copper mixture, used pure Comstock silver." This made the coins, especially those of early date issues including the 1871-CC dime, more susceptible to corrosion and related problems. Obviously the present coin was not subject to this type of condition, as its surfaces are superior in their preservation. Strike can be a problem as well, but again this is not a concern with the present example as it shows just a hint of softness. Struck during the second year of the Carson City Mint's brief era of coinage production, this imperial example of a classic rarity is destined to be a highlight of an advanced collection.
PCGS# 4654. NGC ID: 23A5.
PCGS Population: 3; 4 finer (MS-64 finest).
From the Srotag Collection. Earlier from Superior's Pre-Long Beach Elite Coin Auction of May-June 2004, lot 1256; Heritage's New York Signature Auction of June 2005, lot 5368; our (American Numismatic Rarities') Robert Michael Prescott Collection sale, January 2006, lot 275; our (Stack's) Brooklyn Sale, March 2007, lot 547; our sale of the William Porter Collection, June 2013 Baltimore Auction, lot 1177; Jason Feldman PCGS Set Registry Collection; Legend Rare Coin Auctions' Regency Auction 41, October 2020, lot 131.