1873-CC $20 MS(PCGS#8968)

1873-CC $20 MS (PCGS#8968)

Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Description du lot: A noteworthy example that will appeal to both advanced double eagle collectors and specialists in coins from the fabled Nevada branch mint. This is a pleasing coin dressed in vivid honey-rose and pinkish-apricot colors. Lustrous for the grade, as well, we note a softly frosted finish that is most pronounced in the protected areas around the peripheral design elements. Light hairlines and a touch of glossiness to the texture are noted for accuracy, but there is plenty of eye appeal.<p>During the late 19th century the Western regions of the United States preferred to conduct business with specie rather than paper money, with the double eagle particularly favored for large transactions. Even at the newly opened Carson City Mint, focus on gold coin production was directed toward the double eagle. In its third year of operation 22,410 examples of this denomination were produced at the rustic frontier facility, spread out in several batches throughout the year, almost all of which immediately entered circulation. Numismatists were effectively nonexistent in the region, thus high grade examples were not retained. We estimate that some 250 to 350 circulated examples of the date are extant today, with most of those VF, EF to a lesser degree, and with AU pieces scarce but occasionally available. Given that Mint State survivors are major rarities, this PCGS AU-50 represents a significant find for the quality conscious collector.