1879-CC Liberty Head Double Eagle. AU-50 (NGC).
Warm honey-orange color, both sides also exhibit intermingled reddish-rose highlights as the coin rotates under a light. This is a boldly struck example that retains plenty of crisp detail in the absence of all but light wear. Appreciably lustrous, as well, and eagerly awaiting inclusion in a collection of high grade Liberty Head or CC-Mint double eagles. While generous quantities of double eagles were being produced at Philadelphia and San Francisco during the 1870s, many of which ended up in foreign bank vaults for generations, this was not the case at the Carson City Mint. Here, double eagles -- and gold coins in general -- were almost exclusively made for local consumption, where they performed yeoman's duty in commerce. Specie redemption was permitted for Legal Tender notes in January of 1879, prompting concern that there may be a run on gold. When the run never materialized, the need for double eagles waned and coinage of the denomination ceased early in the year at the Nevada facility. The limited production run of 10,708 pieces for the 1879-CC double eagle was accomplished in two batches using a single pair of dies. Elusive in all grades, the addition of any example is a notable accomplishment for the advanced numismatist.
PCGS# 8989. NGC ID: 26B7.
From the Jones Collection.