1871-CC Liberty Head Double Eagle. AU-55 (PCGS).

An inviting example with deep, vivid color in apricot-gold. Both sides are lustrous for the grade, faintly semi-prooflike on an otherwise frosty finish. Sharply defined overall and a pleasure to behold. The 1871-CC double eagle is one of the principle rarities of the denomination struck at Carson City, second only to the vaunted 1870-CC. The 174,387 coins produced at the Nevada facility that year were destined for immediate use in commerce, where gold was the vastly preferred medium of exchange. Thanks to its somewhat remote location in regard to other population centers at the time, the coins were heavily used in local circulation for many years. There were essentially no numismatists in the region, hence nobody had the interest or wherewithal to set aside an example. Very few escaped the trials and tribulations of extensive circulation, and when available at all, the 1871-CC is usually found damaged and heavily abraded. The present example represents a significant find for the advanced numismatist seeking one of the early historic double eagles from this perennially popular Western mint. It is among the finest certified of only 100 to 135 coins believed extant in EF and AU grades (per Rusty Goe, 2020).

PCGS# 8961. NGC ID: 26AB.

Estimate: $75000