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Description

1870-CC Liberty Ten, XF45
First-Year Branch Mint Key
Rarest Carson City Eagle

1870-CC $10 XF45 PCGS. CAC. Variety 1-B. Ex: Rian's Bequest. After long delays in finishing up construction and acquiring equipment and personnel, the famous Carson City Mint struck its first coins (2,303 Seated Liberty dollars) on February 11, 1870. Gold eagles were the next denomination struck, on February 14. A small production of 5,908 Liberty eagles was accomplished in that inaugural year. The coins were released into circulation at the time of issue as there was considerable demand for coinage in the regional economy. Unfortunately, no high-quality examples were saved for numismatic purposes, making the 1870-CC an elusive issue in all grades today. Branch mint gold specialist Doug Winter calls the 1870-CC "The rarest and most famous eagle from the Carson City Mint ... Any 1870-CC eagle that grades Extremely Fine is quite rare and properly graded AU's are very rare with around a half dozen known to me." The 1870-CC is unknown in Mint State. In his new 2020 reference, The Confident Carson City Coin Collector, Rusty Goe estimates the surviving population at 60-75 examples in all grades, with seven to nine specimens in XF45. PCGS CoinFacts gives a slightly smaller assessment of 45-60 examples extant.

This impressive Choice XF specimen exhibits only light wear on the well-detailed design elements, which retain much interior detail intact on the central devices. Just a touch of the usual softness is evident on the hair below BERT in LIBERTY and the eagle's claws. The pleasing orange-gold surfaces show scattered minor abrasions on both sides, but none that merit individual mention. The overall presentation is quite attractive. This charming XF45 specimen should find a home in an advanced collection of Carson City gold. Population: 9 in 45, 11 finer. CAC: 2 in 45, 3 finer (10/21).
From The Rian's Bequest Collection. (Registry values: N7079)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 264U, PCGS# 8658, Greysheet# 9471)

Weight: 16.72 grams

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper


View all of [The Rian's Bequest Collection ]

View Certification Details from PCGS

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.

Auction Info

Auction Dates
January, 2022
12th-16th Wednesday-Sunday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 23
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,068

Buyer's Premium per Lot:
20% of the successful bid per lot.

Sold on Jan 13, 2022 for: $132,000.00
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