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1870-CC $10 AU55 PCGS. Winter 1-A, the only known

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1870-CC $10 AU55 PCGS. Winter 1-A, the only known
<B>1870-CC $10 AU55 PCGS.</B></I> Winter 1-A, the only known dies. Die State I. On January 6, 1870, the Carson City Mint opened its doors for bullion deposit and coinage. Over the next 23 years, the facility would produce some of the most popular and romanticized coins in U.S. history. While there are numerous scarce coins among the branch mint's silver and gold productions, the 1870-CC is undoubtedly the rarest eagle struck in Carson City. This issue also surpasses the celebrated 1870-CC Double Eagle for top rarity honors among all CC-mint gold coins.<BR> Gold coin production at the Nevada branch mint began with the issue of 1,644 Eagles on February 14. A further 4,264 coins would follow before the end of 1870 for a total mintage of only 5,908 pieces. While the 1872-CC, 1873-CC, 1876-CC, 1877-CC, 1878-CC, and 1879-CC have lower mintages, far fewer 1870-CC examples have survived in all grades. It is probable that the entire 1870-CC production was placed directly into circulation in and around Carson City at the time of production. Most of the coins remained in domestic channels until they were destroyed or heavily worn. As such, it is little wonder that the 1870-CC is legendary for its condition rarity as well as its absolute rarity.<BR> In his book <I>Gold Coins of the Old West: The Carson City Mint 1870-1893,</B></I> Winter asserts that there are no more than 30 1870-CC Eagles extant in all grades. Even the lower mintage 1879-CC (1,762 pieces produced) boasts a surviving population of 35-45 coins. In high grade, the distance between the 1870-CC and its closest competitors widens even more. While the second place 1873-CC (4,543 pieces produced) has a surviving population of 7-10 coins at or above the XF level, the 1870-CC is known to the extent of only 6-8 pieces in the same grades.<BR> Unknown in Mint State, this issue's Condition Census is made up exclusively of Extremely Fine and About Uncirculated specimens. As of 1994, Winter's Condition Census included the following pieces:<BR><BR>Ex: Auction '79 (RARCOA, 7/79), lot 1307, where it realized $7,750. The coin was graded About Uncirculated at the time of the sale.<BR>Ex: J.C. Morganthau (12/10/35); Norweb Collection (Bowers & Merena, 3/88), lot 2197, where it realized $10,450; Michigan collection. The Norweb catalog graded this coin XF 45.<BR>Ex: Wayman Collection (Stack's, 9/81), lot 81. Winter asserts that this coin graded XF 40.<BR>Ex: Bass Collection (Bowers & Merena, 10/99), lot 1520, where it realized $25,300. PCGS graded this coin XF 45.<BR>Two further XF 40 examples, one in a New Jersey collection and the other in a New York collection.<BR><BR>To Winter's list we must add the NGC AU 50 example that realized $26,000 as lot 8117 in our 1999 Chicago ANA Sale.<BR> We finally come to the present coin. This near-mint example is a newcomer to the Condition Census and it easily outstrips every other coin on that list. This flashy coin retains considerable frosty luster. The fields glow at certain angles, thus giving the coin a modest prooflike appearance. The striking definition over the hair curls and neck feathers is certainly above average for the issue. The scattered circulation marks include a couple of milling marks by Liberty's forehead, and a couple between the final S of STATES and the O of OF. These features are mentioned solely for pedigree purposes. This golden-rose specimen is sure to receive a warm reception from gold collectors.