1883-CC $10 Liberty Head Eagle NGC AU55

This is a very rare piece from the Carson City Mint, one that is close to impossible to locate in mint state. Rusty Goe, author of The Confident Carson City Coin Collector, reports that most of the Western gold that flowed into Carson City in 1883 went toward production of double eagles—not eagles—and estimates that a mere 2% of the original mintage survives in any grade. Virtually the entire issue of 1883-CC eagles went into circulation, as Westerners just refused to employ paper money in everyday commerce and business transactions.

A total of 401 original pieces of the 1883-CC have been certified by the two main grading services out of an original mintage of 12,000. This points to possible melting of this issue later on. NGC has graded 41 as AU55 with 28 finer. It should be pointed out that NGC has graded only 6 pieces as mint state, while PCGS has graded 7. The highest grade at either service is only MS61. Collectors Universe gives this issue a price of $14,000.00 in AU55.

The Carson City Mint, where this rarity was produced in 1883. Photo: Wikipedia.