1889-CC $20 MS(PCGS#9011)

February 2025 Showcase Auction - U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

2210

Grade

MS62

Price

15,600

Lot Description

Lovely golden-honey surfaces have a tinge of pinkish-apricot color evident. Sharply struck throughout, both sides also possess outstanding softly frosted luster. Uncommonly smooth for both the issue and the assigned grade.<p>The Carson City Mint produced just 30,945 double eagles in 1889. David W. Akers, writing in 1982, characterized Mint State examples as "very scarce," and although some specimens were undoubtedly plucked from overseas gold reserves by numismatists in subsequent years, the estimated number of Uncirculated survivors remains on the low side. In 2004, Q. David Bowers in his Guide Book of Double Eagle Gold Coins gave a high-end estimate of just 200 Mint States examples, while Rusty Goe (2020) provides a more conservative estimate of 90 to 110 coins at this level. In any event, the present example is a significant find for the high grade double eagle collector or advanced Carson City Mint specialist.