1893-CC $10 Liberty Head Eagle PCGS AU50 (CAC)

With its mintage of 14,000, the 1893-CC Liberty eagle is an elusive issue in all grades, but is also sought-after as the final issue from the Carson City Mint. The year 1893 saw the end of coinage operations at the famous Western mint. From 1895 to 1933, it served as an assay office. PCGS has graded 47 as AU50 with 128 finer. Collector’s Universe prices this issue at $7,750.00 in AU50. In CAC, there are 5 in AU50 with 47 finer. CAC gives this issue a price of $7,500.00 in AU50.

Most survivors are in the XF to AU grade ranges, while Mint State coins are true rarities. The 1893-CC $10 gold is by far the rarest of Carson City eagles from the 1890s. The coins were released into circulation and few high-quality examples were saved for numismatic purposes. That is because gold coins in the 1890s were an instrument of commerce, not a collectible. The issue has a fairly high survival rate, but examples in high grade are elusive. The 1893-CC ten is much rarer than the double eagle of the same year.

The US Post Office in Carson City. It was completed in 1891. Photo: Library of Congress.