1871-CC Liberty Head Eagle. AU-53 (NGC).A highly significant absolute and condition rarity from the early Carson City Mint eagle series. Evenly colored in a blend of warm honey-gold and more vivid deep orange patina, both sides retain appreciable remnants of frosty luster as the coin dips into a light. Striking detail is bold over most design elements. Quoting Rusty Goes contributions to our presentation of the Battle Born 1871-CC eagle offered in our August 2012 ANA Auction:<p><em>Superintendent Henry F. Rices success in deploying a bullion fund, which allowed him to pay depositors promptly, and in gaining approval for his mint to accept custom assaying and refining work, had increased business substantially. Bullion deposits soared to over $5 million in 1871 compared to 1870s total of $266,000. This meant the Carson Mint had received nearly half of the precious metals mined on the Comstock in 1871. During the Big Bonanza period from 1874 through 1878, Nevadas coin factory would consider it fortunate to receive one fifth of the Comstocks yield.</em><p><em>Still, with the huge increase in bullion deposits in 1871, coinage production in Carson City, while advancing substantially from 1870s output, remained sparse. The Carson Mint turned out 4,225 eagles in the first half of the year and added 2,960 more in the second half. Some sources have reported that an additional 900 pieces were minted sometime between July and December; but I believe this has to do with fiscal-year versus calendar-year reporting.</em><p>The exact mintage is in doubt, therefore, with the <em>Guide Book</em> providing a figure of 8,085 pieces and Goe accepting a lower total of 7,185 coins that does not include the 900 examples referred to above. Regardless, the 1871-CC went the way of all early Carson City Mint gold issues, circulating extensively in the American West and suffering a high rate of attrition. In his outstanding 2020 reference <em>The Confident Carson City Coin Collector</em>, Rusty Goe asserts that only 100 to 120 coins are extant in all grades, and most of these are clustered at the VF level. Retaining unusually bold definition and pleasing surface quality, this noteworthy AU would make an impressive addition to an advanced gold cabinet.PCGS# 8661. NGC ID: 264X.NGC Census: 19; 22 finer, just three of which are Mint State (MS-62 finest).From our sale the PentaMint™ Collection, November 2024 Showcase Auction, lot 3158.
