1872-CC $1 MS(PCGS#6969)

June 2026 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

2166

Grade

XF45

Price

23,180

Lot Description

An uncommonly original-looking example of this notoriously challenging CC-Mint entry in the Liberty Seated dollar series. Whereas most lightly circulated survivors of the 1872-CC have been dipped, cleaned or are outright impaired due to damage, this piece exhibits an even overlay of deep charcoal-olive patina to smooth-looking surfaces. A touch of underlying glossiness to the texture is noted for accuracy, but this is more than offset by iridescent undertones of antique gold and cobalt blue. As well, there are few marks, and none that warrant individual attention. Detail is universally bold to support the Choice EF assessment. Visually pleasing for the issue, and confirmed as such by rare CAC approval, we expect strong bidder competition for this significant condition rarity. The last PCGS/CAC EF-45 we sold brought $31,200 in our Spring 2024 Auction.<p>The Carson City Mint produced only 3,150 silver dollars in 1872. Repeating a standard scenario for early gold and silver issues from this coinage facility, the 1872-CC dollars were routinely released into local and regional commerce. Probably some were shipped to China, where there was a great appetite for silver metal. Writing in the excellent 2020 reference <em>The Confident Carson City Coin Collector</em>, CC-Mint expert Rusty Goe estimates that 250 to 300 exist today in all grades. A similar estimate by Dick Osburn and Brian Cushing (2018) suggest just 250 surviving pieces in total. The latter acknowledge a small hoard of about 100 examples having been distributed in 2015 through 2017, though in general market appearances for straight-graded EF and AU examples tend to be few and far between. Advanced specialists in Liberty Seated dollars and/or Carson City Mint coinage would be wise to take full advantage of this fleeting opportunity.