1876-CC $10.00 NGC AU53

In 1876-CC, the Carson City mint produced a total of 4,696 eagles. The survival rate for this issue is a bit higher than it is for the 1875-CC or 1877-CC eagles but there are still well under 100 known in all grades and none of these are higher than AU58. This is a pleasing AU53 example with nice natural reddish and light orange-gold color. The strike is above-average for the issue with less weakness than usual at the centers and uncommonly good detail on the neck of the eagle. There are a few small marks seen in the fields but none are deep or out of keeping with the assigned grade. Since 2000, there have been fourteen APR's for examples of this date graded AU53. These sales range from a low of $10,925 (back in 2000) to a high of $20,125. With AU58's basically unavailable and most AU55's showing a comparable appearance to this piece, I think the present example is perfect for the advanced collector who wants to own an above-average 1876-CC eagle for less than $20,000

1876-CC $20.00 PCGS AU50 CAC

Semi-prooflike with beautiful deep, rich orange-gold color that is contrasted by darker hues on the highlights. This coin, which is clearly sourced from Europe and which has the lovely Euro look I often mention, has the body and flash of a higher grade but the surfaces are a bit "chattery" as is often the case with examples of this era. It is unusual to see an 1876-CC double eagle that is reflective and it is becoming very hard to find pieces that are as original as this one is. As a date, the 1876-CC is only moderately scarce but it becomes pricey in any grade approaching Uncirculated. A nice example for the collector who is just beginning to take the plunge into the world of CC double eagles.

1876-CC $20.00 NGC AU58 CAC

If you've spent any time on this site, you might now that I am a big, big fan of high end AU58 gold coins. True "sliders" are coins that have the look and eye appeal of a much more highly graded piece often at a significant savings from, say, an MS61 or an MS62 example of the same issue. The present coin is a case in point. It is nearly fully lustrous and shows just a smidgen of wear in the left obverse field and the high spots of the cheek and brow. The surfaces are far cleaner than usual for the issue and both sides show attractive rich natural orange-gold hues. I have sold a number of MS61 1876-CC double eagles at double the price of this AU58 that were not as attractive and this, to me, is what makes this a very good value for the CC double eagle collector. This is one of only eight 1876-CC double eagles in AU58 to have received approval at CAC; fourteen finer have been approved as well.

1876-CC $20.00 PCGS VF25 CAC

Rainy Day Collection pedigree. Evenly worn, problem-free and original. This is one of the more affordable CC double eagles that you are likely to see in the market. With gold approaching $2,000 per ounce, the number of slabbed CC double eagles priced at under $2,500 is dwindling to just a few.