1871-CC Liberty Gold Half Eagle ($5)

The 1871-CC Liberty Half Eagle represents a true rarity from the Old West, struck during just the second year of the Carson City Mint's operation. With a minuscule mintage of only 20,770 pieces, these coins saw heavy circulation in Nevada's booming mining economy, making high-grade survivors exceptionally scarce.

This AU50 example displays impressive quality for a coin that saw light circulation in the rough-and-tumble Western frontier. The surfaces retain significant original luster in the protected areas, with a pleasing honey-gold color throughout. Light wear appears on the high points, but the overall eye appeal remains strong with well-defined details and remarkably clean fields for a CC-mint gold piece.