LOT #30373 |
Sold on Mar 20, 2014 for: Sign-in
or Join (free & quick)
1870-CC $10 AU55 NGC....
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Sold on Mar 20, 2014 for:
$135,125.00
Bid Source: HA.com/Live bidder
Description
1870-CC Ten Dollar, AU55
Rare First-Year Carson City Issue
Tied for Finest-Known
1870-CC $10 AU55 NGC. The 1870-CC is a great rarity among
all Liberty Head eagles, and the acquisition of this Choice AU
example would represent a tremendous coup for any specialist in
this series, or in Carson City Mint gold coinage.Struck to the extent of only 5,908 pieces, the '70-CC is the undoubted key to the Carson City ten dollar gold series, due to an extremely low survival rate. The few coins that are known to still exist are almost invariably seen in heavily-circulated or impaired condition, and AU55 is the finest grade obtainable. There are currently four such coins certified through the combined efforts of NGC and PCGS: two apiece at each service; obviously with none finer (2/14).
Doug Winter and Rusty Goe have each offered dramatic observations concerning the overall rarity and desirability of this first-year Carson City issue. Twenty years ago, Winter believed that the 1870-CC eagle was even more rare than the better-known 1870-CC double eagle, but he has backed off of such comments in more recent years, specifically in the 2001 edition of his Gold Coins of the Carson City Mint, where he noted:
"The 1870-CC eagle is the second rarest Carson City gold coin, trailing only the well-known double eagle of this year. It is most often seen very well worn. It is very rare in properly graded Extremely Fine-40 and extremely rare in the higher range of this grade."
Writing in The Mint on Carson City Street (2003), Rusty Goe observed that: "At one time (the 1870-CC eagle) was considered rarer than the double eagle issued the same year at the Carson City Mint, however, during the last decade of the 20th century handfuls of unknown examples were introduced onto the market." Goe estimates the existing population of 1870-CC eagles at approximately 70 to 80 coins at all grade levels.
The beautiful specimen that we are pleased to offer here displays exquisite orange-gold coloration, mingled with deeper accents of peach and softer shades of pale rose that cling to some of the outer devices. It is pleasingly detailed and only a tad weak on some of the star centrils, along with Liberty's lovelock and central hair curl, just above the ear. The eagle's upper shield, neck feathers, arrowheads, and fletchings are likewise incomplete, but the overall strike definition over each side of the piece is quite bold. The obverse and reverse alike are dotted with shallow marks and a handful of deeper blemishes, but none of these minor flaws are likely to deter the admiration of the viewer. When this lovely coin crosses the auction block in San Francisco, savvy collectors and dealers will recognize a significant opportunity that is unlikely to be repeated anytime in the near future.
From the Collection of Donald E. Bently, sold for the benefit of the Bently Foundation.(Registry values: N10218)
Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 264U, PCGS# 8658, Greysheet# 9471)
Weight: 16.72 grams
Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper
The Confident Carson City Coin Collector
by Rusty Goe
The Carson City Mint’s celebrated legacy — replete with landmark achievements, setbacks, mysteries and tall tales — is covered in exacting detail in Goe’s three-volume set.
by Rusty Goe
The Carson City Mint’s celebrated legacy — replete with landmark achievements, setbacks, mysteries and tall tales — is covered in exacting detail in Goe’s three-volume set.
Auction Info
2014 March 20 The Collection of Donald E. Bently - Bently Foundation US Coins Signature Auction - San Francisco #1205 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
March, 2014
20th
Thursday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 16
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,800
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
17.5% of the successful bid per lot.
Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms | US & World Coin Grading Tutorial
Important information concerning Sales Tax and Resale Certificates. Learn More
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms | US & World Coin Grading Tutorial