1872-CC $10 Liberty Head Eagle PCGS XF45 Ex. Bass Collection

This issue is one of the great rarities that emanated from the Carson City Mint. This example was originally presented as part of the Bass Collection in October of 1999. Heritage Auctions writes that it “features areas of violet and orange-gold color. Definition is good, even strong for the grade, with nearly complete star radials.” PCGS has graded 14 as XF45 with 21 finer, the finest being AU58. However, there is one example that has graded MS62 at NGC. PCGS estimates that there are between 75-90 pieces available at this time. Collectors Universe prices this issue at $35,000.00 in XF45.

The Carson City Mint, where this classic American gold rarity was struck in 1872.

The Carson City Mint produced eagles yearly during the 1870s in quite limited quantities. The mintages ranged from the low of 1,762 in 1879 up to 16,767 in 1874. There is just one issue from that decade that is reasonably available—the 1874-CC—and it is extremely rare in mint state. There were only 4,600 eagles struck in 1872 that carry the famous ‘CC’ mintmark—and they are rare in every grade. Most of the extant pieces are found in lower grades. Doug Winter writes, “I doubt if more than 10 About Uncirculated pieces exist, with most in the AU50 to AU53 range. This date is very rare in properly graded AU55 and AU58…”