1878-CC Liberty Head Double Eagle. EF-45 (PCGS). CAC.Handsome honey-gold patina throughout, both sides revealing glints of pinkish-rose iridescence in the more protected areas around the devices. A boldly defined and notably lustrous example for the assigned grade. The passing of the Bland-Allison Act in 1878 meant that the Treasurys focus was placed on striking silver dollars over gold coins. Only 13,180 double eagles were struck at the Carson City Mint that year, less than one-tenth the production from just two years prior, making this one of the scarcest issues in this mintmarked gold series. While the estimated overall survival rate of 4% to 5% for the 1878-CC double eagle is larger than most others from this facility, specimens appear at auction far less than expected. Seldom seen in any grade, except for when significant collections enter the market, attractively original examples such as this can be particularly elusive and are worthy of serious consideration whenever they appear at auction.From the Fairmont Collection.