1873-CC Liberty Head Double Eagle. AU-58 (PCGS). CAC.A boldly defined, near-fully lustrous example with a pleasing frosty texture to both sides. This is an uncommonly original Carson City Mint double eagle from the early 1870s, the surfaces awash in warm honey-orange patina. The mintage for this issue is a scant 22,410 pieces, a reduction of more than 4,000 coins from the previous years press run. Face value was $448,200. While some 1873-CC double eagles were included in overseas banking transactions in later years, by that time most showed significant wear from extensive use in regional commerce. We estimate some 250 to 350 circulated examples of the date are extant today, with most of those VF, EF to a lesser degree, and with AU pieces scarce but occasionally available. Given that Mint State survivors are major rarities, this upper end AU-58 represents a particularly significant find for the quality conscious collector.From the Fairmont Collection.
