Lot 1030
1870-CC $10 Liberty. PCGS graded EF-45. In his 2001 reference Gold Coins of the Carson City Mint, branch mint gold expert Douglas Winter states,"Six Carson City eagles have lower mintage figures than the 1870-CC, but this is still clearly the rarest eagle from this mint. It is also the rarest Carson City eagle in terms of high grade rarity. At one time, in fact, I regarded this as the single rarest gold coin from this mint; eclipsing even the more famous (and considerably more expensive) 1870-CC double eagle. This coin's indisputable rarity and its status as the first gold issue struck at the Carson City mint should make it one of the most desirable 19th century United States gold coins. Yet this is a curiously overlooked and, in my opinion, undervalued issue."
The surviving population is estimated at 45 to 60 examples. Mintage 5,908 (PCGS Pop. 7 in EF-45, only 6 graded higher, the highest grade being two AU-55 examples. Total of 47 in all grades, 9/24/11).
Estimate $30,000 - 40,000.
Realized: $85,000