Lot 2132
1871-CC PCGS graded Genuine. Only 17,387 struck. Our grade is sharpness of AU cleaned and some surface damage . As we’ve already recorded, a mere 17,000+ 1871-CC double eagles were issued. Today, it is surmised by those who keep count of such things that only about 150 to 200 exist in the entire world of numismatics, making this the second rarest Carson City coin of this denomination, on the back of the more famous 1870-CC.
Although later Carson City double eagles seem to have been exported in quantity, this does not seem to have been the case for the first several years. It is understood that most if not all 1871-CC coins circulated regionally, where they experienced heavy use in commerce. At the time, $20 gold pieces did not circulate at all in the East and Midwest, where paper money was the preferred medium. Only on the Pacific littoral and into the nearby interior of the western states could one find $20 gold pieces circulating. Because of this it is a general rule of thumb that Carson City and San Francisco twenties are usually seen in significantly lower grades than are Philadelphia issues.
When evaluating any double eagle the subject of eye appeal is quite important. Often, early Carson City coins of all denominations lack this feature. The present specimen, while not a Miss Universe beauty-prize winner, is, all the same, a worthwhile acquisition. A glance or two at its photographs will settle you into bidding a fair level (we hope), entirely justified based on the rarity (PCGS # 8961) .
Estimated Value $12,000 - 13,000.
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