1874-CC Liberty Head Double Eagle. AU-55 (PCGS).An endearing CC-mint twenty, both sides retain ample evidence of a modestly semi-prooflike finish from the dies. Original honey-gold patina throughout with bold to sharp striking detail. The Carson City Mint delivered 115,085 double eagles in 1874, up considerably from the 22,410 coins struck in 1873. The coins went directly into commerce locally, with few if any being shipped overseas at the time. Carson City Mint double eagles were not sent to foreign destinations in quantity before 1879, and only intermittently after that time. As a result, repatriated Carson City Mint gold coins typically are circulated, having received wear in the United States prior to being shipped overseas.pThe fact that most 1874-CC double eagles circulated locally explains the extreme rarity of this issue in Mint State. There was no known numismatic interest on the frontier at the time, and very few coins were preserved in Mint State as part of foreign bank hoards. With such pieces remaining highly elusive, this impressive Choice AU represents about the finest realistically obtainable for the issue as far as most collectors are concerned.From the Fairmont Collection.
