1883-CC $10.00 NGC AU58

The 1883-CC is the rarest CC eagle in high grades struck after 1879. It is most often found in the EF40 to AU50 range and many examples (depending on the die variety) are seen with very weak strikes. This highly lustrous piece shows a bare minimum of wear but it does have signs of contact from being knocked around loose while being shipped overseas in a bag. The color is a pleasing light yellow-green with a hint of reddish around the stars and the reverse device. It is extrermely well struck with detail not often seen on this issue. In Uncirculated, the 1883-CC is nearly unobtainable and I doubt if more than three or four exist. Properly graded AU58's are far and away the best most collectors can hope for (and they are priced at around one-third what a so-so MS61 would bring, if available...) The last NGC AU58 to sell at auction was Lot 7106 in the Heritage January 2011 extravaganza and it brought $6,325; the color on that coin can be charitably described as "a bit funky."

1883-CC $20.00 PCGS AU50 CAC

Old Green Holder. By today's grading standards, I feel that this coin is at least an AU55. It has beautiful deep natural orange-gold color atop slightly prooflike surfaces that exhibit relatively few marks for the grade. This coin is almost certainly from an overseas source and it has a "Euro" look but with less darkening on the surfaces than usual. The typical dipped, processed AU50 example of this date is an easy sale to a dealer who doesn't care about quality for $3,000 or even a bit more. For a few hundred dollars extra, you can purchase a gorgeous, unmolested example that is one of just eight 1833-CC double eagles in AU50 that has been approved by CAC.

1883-CC $10.00 PCGS AU53

Recently found in Europe and graded by PCGS at their Paris facility. This totally original piece has attractive medium to deep orange-gold color with some deeper hues on the high spots. There is a good deal of underlying luster and the body of this coin is such that a grade of AU55 wouldn't be out of the question. There are a few scuffs in the fields on both sides with the most noticeable seen in the left obverse and the right reverse. The 1883-CC is the scarcest CC eagle produced after 1879. There were 12,000 struck and most survivors are well worn with VF-EF being typical for the date. The 1883-CC is often poorly produced with flatness at the centers and is almost never found with natural color. This example is notable for a great strike and the aforementioned natural color. In the last decade, only one PCGS AU53 has appeared at auction: Heritage 10/09: 1538 which sold for $2,760. A great value at less than $3,000!

1883-CC $20.00 NGC AU58

There are only a handful of dates from this mint that show the eye appeal of a nice 1883-CC $20 and this examples has an abundance of good looks. It is nearly fully lustrous with very frosty surfaces covered with lovely rose and yellow-gold color. There are some minor scuffs in the left obverse field and the slightest amount of rub on the obverse high spots; the reverse is Uncirculated and approaches the choice level. A perfect type coin for the collector who would like to own a single high quality but affordable CC double eagle.

1883-CC $20.00 NGC AU50 CAC

This appealing, original example shows medium green-gold color that deepens at the borders. There are no serious marks noted and a good deal of luster remains. This is among the more common CC double eagles but it is never easy to find examples that are as choice and original as this one.