1879-CC Liberty Head Double Eagle. EF-45 (PCGS).An undeniably original example, both sides exhibit vivid rose highlights to otherwise dominant deep khaki-gold patina. Direct lighting calls forth considerable mint luster -- an uncommon attribute for the assigned grade. Boldly defined, aesthetically pleasing, and worthy of inclusion in an advanced collection of double eagles or Carson City Mint coinage. While generous quantities of double eagles were being produced at Philadelphia and San Francisco during the 1870s, many of which ended up in foreign bank vaults for generations, this was not the case at the Carson City Mint. Here, double eagles -- and gold coins in general -- were almost exclusively made for local consumption, where they performed yeomans duty in commerce. Specie redemption was permitted for Legal Tender notes in January of 1879, prompting concern that there may be a run on gold. When the run never materialized, the need for double eagles waned and coinage of the denomination ceased early in the year at the Nevada facility. The limited production run of 10,708 pieces for the 1879-CC double eagle was accomplished in two batches using a single pair of dies. Elusive in all grades, the addition of any example is a notable accomplishment for the advanced numismatist.From the Fairmont Collection.
