1871-CC Liberty Head Double Eagle. EF-45 (PCGS). CAC.A bold and exciting example of this challenging key date in the Carson City Mint double eagle series. Eye appeal is exceptional for the issue, the surfaces fully original and bathed in pinkish-honey color. Traces of luster remains, and isolated field areas are modestly semi-prooflike. Scattered marks are commensurate with an early date CC-Mint twenty at this grade level, and none are worthy of undue concern.<p>The 1871-CC double eagle is one of the principle rarities of the denomination struck at Carson City, second only to the vaunted 1870-CC. The 174,387 coins produced at the Nevada facility that year were destined for immediate use in commerce, where gold was the vastly preferred medium of exchange. Thanks to its somewhat remote location in regard to other population centers at the time, the coins were heavily used in local circulation for many years. There were essentially no numismatists in the region, hence nobody had the interest or wherewithal to set aside an example at the time. Very few escaped the trials and tribulations of extensive circulation, and when available at all, the 1871-CC is usually found damaged and heavily abraded. The present example represents a significant find for advanced numismatists seeking one of the early historic double eagles from this perennially popular Western mint. It is among the finest of only 100 to 135 coins believed extant in EF and AU grades (per Rusty Goe, 2020), few of which are as problem free or original.PCGS# 8961. NGC ID: 26AB.CAC Population: 7; 2.From the Fairmont Collection - CAG Set.
