1885-CC Liberty Head Double Eagle. AU-58 (PCGS). CAC.Splendid honey-gold surfaces are further adorned with vivid reddish-rose highlights. The latter color is generally confined to the protected areas around the devices, and then again mostly on the reverse. Near-fully lustrous with virtually complete striking detail also remaining, it is difficult for us to imagine a more inviting example of this challenging issue at the Choice AU grade level. Only 9,450 double eagles were coined at the Carson City Mint in 1885 ($189,000 face value), by far the smallest production figure of any $20 from this facility during the 1880s. This is the final Carson City Mint double eagle coinage until 1889-CC; the fabled frontier mint struck no coins of any denomination from 1886 to 1888. Q. David Bowers 2004 estimate of 275 to 400 circulated examples seems to have stood the test of time and, indeed, this issue is elusive even at the VF and EF levels. At the threshold of Mint State, as here, the 1885-CC is rare and always in demand among advanced collectors of double eagles and Carson City Mint coinage.PCGS Population: 34; 27 finer (MS-63 finest).From the Fairmont Collection.
