1872-CC Liberty Head Double Eagle. AU-55 (PCGS). CAC.
Warmly patinated in even honey-gold, this minimally circulated example retains ample evidence of a satiny finish. Overall striking detail remains bold, although we note characteristic softness of definition in and around the obverse center. The appearance is smoother than one might expect for an early date Carson City Mint double eagle at the Choice AU grade level, and this is clearly a superior example of a key date issue. The 1872-CC is the third double eagle issue from this frontier era branch mint, the mintage a modest 26,900 pieces. In the first three years of coinage operations at the Carson City Mint - 1870, 1871, and 1872 - it seems that the gold coins were used regionally and, indeed, we suspect that the 1872-CC double eagle helped form the backbone of the economy in and around Carson City. Beginning in 1873, however, quantities of gold coins were more widely distributed, including in shipments sent to foreign banks. Today, the first three CC-Mint gold issues across all three denominations - $5, $10, and $20 - are true classics. Grades for surviving 1872-CC double eagles are often VF to EF. This lovely near-Mint offering from the Fairmont holdings is exceptional and, considering the rarity of the issue in Mint State, it is sure to be of particular interest to quality conscious collectors.
PCGS# 8964. NGC ID: 26AE.
PCGS Population: 33; 38 finer, 7 of which are Mint State (MS-62 finest). CAC Population: 8; 9.
From the Fairmont Collection - CAG Set.

Estimate: $22000