1870-CC $10 MS(PCGS#8658)

Spring 2022 U.S. Coins Auction

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

3161

等级

XF40

价格

668,631

详细说明

Fabled 1870-CC Eagle Rarity 1870-CC Liberty Head Eagle. Winter 1-A. EF-40 (PCGS). OGH. Here is a highly significant 1870-CC eagle, a well known and eagerly sought rarity in the Carson City Mint ten-dollar gold series. Vivid honey-rose surfaces exhibit intermingled highlights of bolder reddish-pink colors. Both sides support quite bold definition for this issue for, as most of the survivors are in lower grades through VF. Locating an example with as much detail as the present piece is not an easy task. In addition, virtually all known survivors show numerous deep, detracting abrasions. This pleasing coin is a notable exception as the surfaces have only small, wispy handling marks scattered about, none of which we deem individually distracting. Both sides are a tad glossy, but ample traces of the original, modestly reflective finish persist. Given the rarity and historical significance of this issue, as well as the fact that it is unknown in Mint State, this boldly defined EF is sure to appeal to many advanced collectors of Carson City Mint or Liberty gold coinage. In his outstanding 2020 reference The Confident Carson City Coin Collector, Rusty Goe opens his discussion on the challenges associated with the commencement of ten-dollar gold production at this coinage facility when he writes: "Government statistics show that miners in Nevada's Comstock region had hauled out $16 million worth of 'raw material,' in the form of precious metals, from the ground in 1864, the year Congress had debated the viability of establishing a mint in Nevada. By 1870, the output of ore in that region had dwindled to $8.3 million, still a sufficient supply to prime the operations of a start-up mint in the area. First, the officers at that facility would need to persuade the miners to deposit their bullion locally rather than ship it to San Francisco, or other destinations thousands of miles away." In this they were successful enough for, while a mintage of 5,908 pieces for the 1870-CC is modest in an absolute sense, it was commensurate with ten-dollar gold eagle production at the other operating mints in recent years, and of sufficient quantity to give hope that coinage operations would continue at Carson City. There is some debate concerning the exact number of coins extant from this mintage, with PCGS CoinFactsestimating that just 45 to 60 pieces have survived. Doug Winter's 2001 estimate of 35 to 45 examples certainly seems low today, and even the PCGS CoinFactsfigure might be too conservative (and is likely to be skewed since it is based predominantly on the number of grading events for the issue). With a wider view toward the total number of coins in numismatic hands, Rusty Goe provides what we feel is a more accurate estimate of 60 to 75 survivors in The Confident Carson City Coin Collector. In any event, the 1870-CC is generally regarded as one of the two rarest Carson City Mint eagles, an honor it shares with the 1879-CC. (Opinions differ here, as well, with Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth ranking the 1879-CC ahead of the 1870-CC in rarity.) The 1870-CC eagle is also one of the rarest Carson City Mint gold coins of any denomination, ranking near the top of this listing alongside the 1879-CC eagle and also the legendary 1870-CC double eagle. As noted, most survivors grade no finer than VF, and the 1870-CC is unknown in Mint State. The certified population actually tops out at the AU-55 level with neither PCGS nor NGC having bestowed an AU-58 grade on any example. As the first issue in this perennially popular mintmarked gold series and a well established rarity, the offering of any 1870-CC eagle is an important occasion. Indeed, we anticipate excitement, keen interest and strong competition when bidding opens for this attractive EF. PCGS Population: 11; 21 finer (AU-55 finest). There are no Mint State examples certified by NGC, the finest listed there also AU-55. PCGS# 8658. NGC ID: 264U. Click here for certification details from PCGS. Click here to see Coins in Motion.[“Coins]