1871-CC Liberty Seated Dime. Fortin-101, the only known dies. Rarity-5+. EF Details--Scratch (PCGS). More affordable quality for this key date CC-Mint issue, both sides are boldly toned in deep rose and olive-charcoal. The surfaces are quite dark, in fact, although the color helps to mask a few light scratches on both sides that explain the PCGS qualifier. The mintage of 20,100 pieces for this issue is deceptive only in that today so few are known. Most survivors are circulated to one degree or another, and many are impaired due to environmental damage, as suggested by the dark toning seen here. According to Larry Briggs in his <em>Comprehensive Encyclopedia of United States Liberty Seated Quarters</em>, "The Carson City mint was known to shortcut their annealing process and instead of using 90% silver, 10% copper mixture, used pure Comstock silver." This made the coins more susceptible to corrosion and related problems. The first Carson City Mint dime, the prized 1871-CC is needed by far more collectors than there are coins available. From the Lincoln Square Collection.
