Produced to the extent of just 5,000 pieces, the 1891-CC has the lowest mintage of any Carson City Mint double eagle after only the first year 1870-CC. Writing in our August 2012 catalog for The Battle Born Collection of Carson City Mint Coinage, Q. David Bowers estimates that 1,000 to 2,000 of these coins circulated domestically, with the balance being shipped overseas as part of the export trade. While some of the latter coins were repatriated in subsequent decades, often showing light wear, many were melted at their destinations to provide bullion for local needs. For example, Bowers writes, "....the Bank of England melted double eagles and had the Royal Mint convert them into gold sovereigns."The 1891-CC is the rarest Carson City Mint double eagle from the latter portion of this series, and it compares more favorably with some of the well known rarities from the earlier years of CC-Mint production in this regard. It is likely that (far) fewer than 500 coins are extant in all grades, with Bowers providing an estimate of 185 to 260 coins, Rusty Goe (August 2012, The Battle Born Collection catalog) 350 to 400 pieces, and Doug Winter ( Gold Coins of the Carson City Mint , 2001) 150 to 200 examples. All authors agree that the vast majority of survivors are circulated to one degree or another, usually VF, EF or, less frequently, AU.This attractive example displays even khaki-orange patina on both sides. The surfaces also retain plenty of vibrant satiny luster and the strike is bold to sharp. Doug Winter (2001) ranks the 1891-CC as the second rarest Carson City Mint double eagle in terms of total number of coins believed extant. This very nice AU double eagle is a highlight of this sale, and sure to see spirited bidding.， Est. $15,000-$25,000
