GTG: An Important to Me 1873-CC Liberty Seated Half Dollar with Arrows (Grade Revealed)

Options
Davidk7
Davidk7 Posts: 675 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited April 11, 2025 3:57PM in U.S. Coin Forum

I just got the grade back from PCGS, but I would rather share the importance of this coin before that, so we will play GTG. The grade will be revealed 24 hours after the initial post.

I bought this coin raw last summer at a small coin shop in Richmond, Virginia. I was in Richmond visiting my family, specifically my grandfather, who had been going through cancer and recently had taken a turn for the worse. He was the one who originally got me into collecting, first with Wheat Pennies and State Quarters, and while he remained a very casual collector, it was his initial interest in coins that got me interested, as I would consider him one of the biggest role models in my life. While visiting I browsed the websites of local coin shops and I came across this coin and I thought it was pretty nice for the price, so I went with my grandfather to the shop and we bought it. Without my grandfather, I never would be where I am today, working as a Professional Numismatist for a dealer (thanks @PeakRarities!), as well as a collector, a custodian of history and knowledge, but most importantly having the opportunity to meet everyone who I am glad to consider a friend in Numismatics. Unfortunately, this was the last coin I was able to purchase with my grandfather as he passed away this past November.

Numismatics reminds me every day of my grandfather, and how if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be here on these forums posting, gaining a massive amount of knowledge through reading books, interacting with people, and being able to work with coins every day. I decided to submit this coin and get it slabbed, so it could be preserved in a slab forever, as a memento that I will never sell.

I collect Capped Bust Half Dollars by die variety, and occasionally other coins in a box of 20 style set, and this is one that will never leave the box! As I sit here finishing up my paragraph, the photograph on my desk of my grandfather and I serves as a reminder of my humble beginnings in coins and how I got to this exact moment. Thank you guys for reading, and here are the TV's, so guess away!


Grade: VG10

Collector of Capped Bust Halves, SLQ's, Commems, and random cool stuff! @davidv_numismatics on Instagram

Comments

  • No Headlights
    No Headlights Posts: 2,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    VG10. Congrats on the coin. Nice piece.

  • pcgsregistrycollector
    pcgsregistrycollector Posts: 2,325 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    I love the story! So great that you made memories with your grandfather that will stay with you always. :) For my guess, I'm going to say F-15.

    Proud follower of Christ! I love the USA! Land of the Bright and Beautiful! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

  • Cougar1978
    Cougar1978 Posts: 10,067 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    VG

    Investor
  • jfriedm56
    jfriedm56 Posts: 3,101 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    F-15

  • Cladiator
    Cladiator Posts: 18,353 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    Nice story and coin. Strong 12 in my book.

  • coinkat
    coinkat Posts: 24,542 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    Tough call. I see VG10 as the most probable with about a 30% shot at 12

    Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.

  • privatecoin
    privatecoin Posts: 3,853 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    F12

    Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc

  • MsMorrisine
    MsMorrisine Posts: 40,041 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    F15

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • TR
    TR Posts: 58 ✭✭✭
    Options

    I'm guessing vg10. Not enough LIBERTY for F12. Nice original look.

  • mr1931S
    mr1931S Posts: 7,309 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited April 10, 2025 7:37PM
    Options

    VG 10 F 12

    "Two things are infinite: human stupidity and the universe; and I'm not sure about the universe."
    -Albert Einstein-

    Mistakes are natural. But repeated mistakes without reflection are something else. That may be the “stupidity” he was referring to. In research, he admitted uncertainty openly. “If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?” This shows humility. Even a Nobel laureate accepted doubt. That humility makes the quote less cynical and more observational.

  • erwindoc
    erwindoc Posts: 5,447 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    VG10

  • JBN
    JBN Posts: 2,007 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    Appears to be WB-7. Believe I can see the repunched 1 at the right base. Think/might want to see/ two die lines in deeper areas near the shield.
    Wonderful story and meaningful coin.
    10, in more ways than one.

  • TheRegulator
    TheRegulator Posts: 1,243 ✭✭✭
    Options

    Great post. Sorry for your loss. Grampas are the best. :)

    Grade doesn't matter.

    The Tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. -Thomas Jefferson
  • CaptHenway
    CaptHenway Posts: 34,167 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    VG-8

    Professional Numismatist, Retired. 55 year member ANA. Former ANA Senior Authenticator. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and ANA Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner of the PNG's 2026 Robert Friedberg Award for "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," Available now from Whitman or Amazon.
  • TomB
    TomB Posts: 23,189 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    Great post and that is obviously a keeper.

    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
  • Hadleydog
    Hadleydog Posts: 1,588 ✭✭✭
    Options

    Wonderful post and a wonderful coin. Thank you for sharing!

  • pursuitofliberty
    pursuitofliberty Posts: 7,926 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    David, I've always liked you, but I think maybe I like you more after reading this.

    Let's call the coin a F12 (and an attractive one at that).

    Your ability to cherish the memories and walk forward with gratitude and reverence. MS70.


    “We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”

    Todd - BHNC #242
  • Crepidodera
    Crepidodera Posts: 457 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    8 or 10

    Thanks for sharing your story!

    Doug

  • TPRC
    TPRC Posts: 3,819 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited April 10, 2025 9:41PM
    Options
    1. I’ve always believed that coin collecting is as much about relationships as it is about the coins we collect. Wonderful story!

    Tom

  • Barberian
    Barberian Posts: 4,643 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited April 10, 2025 10:23PM
    Options

    Sorry for your loss. My grandfather also spurred my interest in coins.

    It's a choice VG10 pushing F12, IMO.
    Nice coin! Wonderful story! Congrats on your new job.

  • VanHalen
    VanHalen Posts: 4,330 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    Thank you for sharing the story. The reverse looks 12. The obverse 10. I could see it going either way. Given the overall appearance I'm inclined to guess F12.

  • HillbillyCollector
    HillbillyCollector Posts: 736 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited April 11, 2025 12:54AM
    Options

    Nice story!
    Initially I thought VG10 but it may be just a tad higher.
    Congrats on a nice pickup.

  • Catbert
    Catbert Posts: 8,258 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    I'm thinking VG10 as well.

    It was great to meet you at FUN and you had to have patience with me as I pestered you for any status on my walk through PCGS submission before leaving the show. :D

    Of course, most of all, I appreciate your gratitude expressed for your grandfather. You do him honor and will carry on his flame. As a grandfather of younger children, I hope to be a positive and loving example for them to remember.

    Seated Half Society member #38

    "She comes out of the sun in a silk dress,
    running like a water color in the rain...."
  • marcmoish
    marcmoish Posts: 6,936 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    VG10

    (but can see it in a 12!)

  • Smudge
    Smudge Posts: 10,001 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    12

  • Elcontador
    Elcontador Posts: 7,743 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    Three letters of LIBERTY visible, so I'd say VG. VG 10 because there's a lot more meat on the coin's reverse than you'd find on a VG Seated Coin. PM Sent

    "Vou invadir o Nordeste,
    "Seu cabra da peste,
    "Sou Mangueira......."
  • Davidk7
    Davidk7 Posts: 675 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    Thank you all for the kind words, it means a lot to me! The grade is VG10. I called it an 8 myself but I was 50/50 on a 10, just graded it conservatively. I would be posting a slab shot of the coin but the FedEx truck came by today, didn’t knock, and left a note on my door, so I guess I’ll have to wait another day or two!

    I have another coin with similar importance to me that I sent in for grading but the grade hasn’t come back yet, so that’ll be my next GTG. Stay tuned!

    Collector of Capped Bust Halves, SLQ's, Commems, and random cool stuff! @davidv_numismatics on Instagram

Leave a Comment

BoldItalicStrikethroughOrdered listUnordered list
Format
SpoilerCodeQuote
Heading 2Heading 1
Emoji
:):D:(;):/:o:s:p:'(:|B):#:*<3o:)>:)
Url
Image
Align leftAlign centerAlign rightToggle HTML viewToggle full pageToggle lights
Drop image/file
Comment As ...

Categories