1878-CC Liberty Head Eagle. AU Details--Cleaned (NGC).

Here is a relatively attractive, legitimately scarce AU example of a CC-Mint gold issue that is highly elusive in all grades. Vivid orange-honey color adorns surfaces that reveal considerable frosty mint luster under a light. Softness of strike to isolated high points is typical of the issue, although plenty of bold detail remains to confirm a relatively short stint in active circulation. With few sizable or otherwise individually distracting marks, this is an impressive coin despite light hairlining and a curiously glossy texture that explain the NGC qualifier. It is sure to catch the eye of advanced collectors of Carson City Mint gold. Although by early 1878 the Carson City Mint had played its part in the stockpiling of subsidiary silver coinage as mandated by the 1875 Specie Payment Resumption Act, eagle production remained low. Little of the gold bullion mined in the nearby Comstock Lode was deposited for coinage and, in any event, the newly introduced Morgan silver dollar was the focus for the coiners in Carson City. Only 3,244 pieces were struck for the 1878-CC eagle, Q. David Bowers' 2012 Estimate: of 60 to 90 coins extant squaring quite nicely with the 60 to 75 pieces put forth by PCGS CoinFacts. Rusty Goe (2020) suggests 75 to 85 survivors. The best the market can usually muster for an 1878-CC eagle is a VF or low end EF, making the offered coin with AU details quite desirable. Mint State survivors are unknown apart from a solitary MS-61 on the NGC Census.

PCGS# 8681. NGC ID: 265K.

Estimate: $15000