1870-CC Liberty Seated Silver Dollar. OC-9. Rarity-4-. AU-55 (PCGS).A brilliant, boldly defined Choice AU that retains ample evidence of a semi-prooflike finish from the dies. One of only four Carson City Mint issues in the Liberty Seated silver dollar series, the 1870-CC is also the most available in todays market. The 2,303 examples delivered on February 11 of that year represent the beginning of coinage operations at this branch mint. By years end an additional 10,159 coins were struck for a total mintage of 12,462 pieces. (Carson City Mint expert Rusty Goe believes that the oft-quoted figure of 11,758 coins struck is an error made by numismatists who overlook two additional deliveries of coins, one made prior to June 30 and the other in August.) The novelty of these large silver coins with the CC mintmark, resulted in a fair number of examples being plucked from circulation years later by sharp-eyed Americans. Today we can account for upward of 700 survivors, most of which are well worn and grade no finer than VF. Given the extreme rarity of Mint State examples, this sharp Choice AU -- a noteworthy condition rarity in its own right -- is sure to find its way into an advanced Carson City Mint or silver dollar collection.