1885-CC Liberty Head Double Eagle. MS-63 (PCGS). CAC. <p>Simply put, this is one of the most significant Carson City Mint double eagle rarities that we have ever had the privilege of bringing to auction. It is a fully Choice, visually appealing coin displaying a bold blend of honey-gold color and frosty mint luster. Sharply to fully struck with enhancing blushes of iridescent pinkish-apricot.</p><p>Only 9,450 double eagles were coined at the Carson City Mint in 1885, by far the smallest production figure of any $20 from this facility during the 1880s. This is the final Carson City Mint double eagle coinage until 1889-CC; the frontier mint struck no coins of any denomination from 1886 to 1888. Writing in the excellent reference <em>The Confident Carson City Coin Collector</em> (2020), Rusty Goe accounts for just 20 to 25 Mint State coins among the 360 to 425 pieces believed extant in all grades. The finest example confirmed by the author is the marvelous Battle Born specimen in PCGS/CAC MS-62 that fetched $57,500 in our August 2012 sale of that collection. Goe does offer interesting commentary, as well as a startling prediction, on the 1885-CC in MS-63:</p><p><em>"Before continuing our survey of sales of Mint State specimens, it is important to emphasize that sometime around 2001 to 2003 PCGS began listing an MS-63 submission event in its population census for 1885-CC double eagles. More recently NGC posted an MS-63 submission event in its census. Not one specimen has ever surfaced to corroborate either of these entries. Until one does, there is nothing really to say regarding a specimen of such magnitude other than such a piece would deserve special status in the Carson City double eagle series. If there is indeed a certified MS-63 example, it would shatter the price record by a country mile if it were to appear in an auction. It is unthinkable that two such MS-63 specimens could exist. One can only imagine what an MS-63 1885-CC double eagle would look like. It would likely intoxicate a person to view one -- a breathtaking experience indeed."</em></p><p>Since the Fairmont Collection specimen offered here is a newcomer to the market and has only recently been certified by PCGS for inclusion in this sale, it is not in any way associated with either of the earlier grading events at PCGS and NGC referred to by Goe. Whether or not there are multiple MS-63 1885-CC double eagles remains unknown, but Stacks Bowers Galleries to pleased to report that at least one such piece does exist. It certainly deserves "special status in the Carson City double eagle series," and to view it is "a breathtaking experience indeed," to borrow Goes words quoted above. We expect that the authors prediction for a shattering of the price record for the issue will be borne out when bidding ceases for this extraordinary offering.</p> From the Fairmont Collection-Hendricks Set.
