1880-CC Liberty Head Eagle. AU-53 (PCGS). Pale khaki-gold in hue with clouds of mint luster highlighting the design elements. Notably smooth throughout the fields and delightfully attractive for the assigned grade. The waning fortunes of the Carson City Mint continued into 1880 and the facility did not commence coinage operations until May. However, enough gold bullion was available to allow for a mintage of 11,190 eagles by years end. This is the highest yearly output for this denomination in Carson City since 1874, and the 1880-CC ranks as one of the more frequently encountered CC-Mint eagles. It is still much rarer than the 1881-CC, 1890-CC, 1892-CC and, especially, the 1891-CC. In fact, the 1880-CC is only readily obtainable in lower grades through AU-50. Problem-free AUs, as here, are very scarce, while in Mint State this issue remains a formidable condition rarity.
