5645

1870-CC $20 AU50 NGC. The series of Liberty Head doubl

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1870-CC $20 AU50 NGC. The series of Liberty Head doubl
<B>1870-CC<$20> AU50 NGC.</B></I> The series of Liberty Head double eagles include several scarce or rare dates, and the 1870-CC issue is near the top of the list of rarities with only about 40 to 50 examples known today, from an original mintage of 3,789 coins, the first of their type. Rarer business strike issues include 1854-O, 1856-O, 1861 Paquet, 1881, and 1882. Most numismatists agree with the general population with opinions ranging between 35 and 55 coins. Like the coin itself, market appearances are also rare. We have only handled 12 examples of this date prior to the present sale. This is the first double eagle of the Carson City Mint, and one of the most important and most highly prized pieces in the present collection of Liberty double eagles.<BR> In the <I>Official Red Book</B></I> of double eagles, author Q. David Bowers commented: "This is the first year of issue, the lowest mintage, and the rarest variety--three important aspects wrapped up in one, to which can be added its status as the rarest of all Type 2 double eagles. The estimated fewer than 50 coins extant change hand regularly, and hardly a year passes without one or two crossing the auction block--always good for an enticing catalog description. Most grade VF to EF by conservative interpretations, EF to AU to those with a more liberal view. In any grade, the 1870-CC is a numismatic prize of the first order."<BR> Part of the desirability of the 1870-CC double eagle is its history, and its mystique. After an initial mintage of half eagles and eagle in February 1870, the first new double eagles came off the press in March. According to Walter Breen, the initial mintage consisted of 1,322 coins on March 10. Local miners provided the earliest supply of gold to the Carson City Mint. Individuals and firms working the Comstock Lode supplied $125,000 in gold ore during the first half of the year. Rusty Goe discu