Save the coins!
Carson City gold coins are among the most alluring and intriguing items in American numismatics. They boast an exciting combination of extreme rarity and fascinating history.
Why is Carson City gold coinage so scarce? Silver was the primary metal extracted from the earth in Nevada; relatively little gold was found in the vicinity. Thus, miniscule numbers of Carson City gold coins were struck in the original mintages, and fewer survive today. Even so, all coins struck at the Nevada branch mint are both scarce and desirable due to their connection to the Wild West.
We have acquired a highly unusual, if not unprecedented, cache of Carson City $20 Liberty Double Eagles.
Every coin in this group is a CC-mintmarked $20 gold piece dated between 1871 and 1890. Each specimen grades at least About Uncirculated and is certified by PCGS or NGC. This is undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary offerings we’ve made available in our Spotlight coin program.
The Legacy of the Comstock Lode
Just as the California Gold Rush led to the San Francisco Mint’s creation, the discovery of Nevada silver precipitated the Carson City Mint.
In particular, the massive Comstock Lode created immense fortunes for prospectors in Nevada. It was first identified by two veterans of the California Gold Rush in 1857, but a miner named Henry Comstock was one of the first to lay claim to the area. Word of the massive discovery spread quickly and Northern Nevada exploded in population.
A problem soon arose - what should be done with the massive amount of silver extracted from the earth? Nevada was truly isolated from the rest of the nation, which made selling and refining the silver difficult.
Finally, in 1863, Congress authorized the establishment of a branch mint in Carson City. Not surprisingly, the very first coin struck at Carson City was a silver dollar – a reflection of the tremendous quantity of silver available in the area. Indeed, for the mint’s entire history, the primary focus was on issuing silver coins instead of gold.
Therefore, the earliest Carson City gold coins are wildly rare and extremely valuable. For example, in 1870, only 3,789 Double Eagles were issued at the branch mint – and just several dozen are known to collectors today. They routinely sell for hundreds of thousands each.
In the end, Carson City gold coins were struck for just a brief period of time. The Carson City Mint continued operations until 1893, when the mining bonanza began to end. Remaining mineral deposits were either too difficult to access or commercially unviable. Some silver and gold was recovered from the Comstock Lode in the 20th century, but only as a result of new technologies and dramatically higher bullion prices.
Mintage, Rarity, Condition
Mintages were always small, especially in comparison to the major quantities issued in Philadelphia and San Francisco. There is no such thing as a common CC Double Eagle; every date is rare and valuable. The only question is whether they are worth thousands, tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars!
A review of NGC’s population data shows how wildly scarce Carson City $20s truly are. Of the 687,799 Liberty Double Eagles graded by NGC, under 17,000 pieces bear a Carson City mint-mark, just 1-2% of all Double Eagles still in existence.
Not only are all Carson City $20s rare, but they tend to be heavily worn, cleaned and abraded. These coins were almost never stashed away into bank vaults; Carson City gold coins entered directly into circulation. Thus, Uncirculated specimens are extremely difficult to source, and always trade for five-figure amounts. High-grade Mint State coins are essentially non-existent. Other than an incredible 1871-CC graded MS64, which sold for over $400,000 in 2008, we have not seen a CC $20 graded above MS63 in the past decade.
Today's Spotlight Offer
We are pleased to offer a small, exclusive grouping of Carson City Double Eagles, all graded AU53 or better by PCGS or NGC. Each coin is dated between 1875 and 1890. Each coin comes in a protective slab.
Most Carson City gold coins exhibit major flaws, detracting marks and signs of cleaning – but these specimens are exceptional for their quality. The coins display virtually full design detail, have clean surfaces and unusually strong eye appeal. In a series beset with problem coins and low-end pieces, these Double Eagles are uncommonly well-preserved.
- 1875 CC $20 Double Eagle in MS61 for $12,799.
- 1876 CC $20 Double Eagle in AU53 for $5,799
- 1876 CC $20 Double Eagle in AU58 for $8,399. We have 2 available.
- 1876 CC $20 Double Eagle in MS60 for $11,699
- 1884 CC $20 Double Eagle in MS61 for $13,399
- 1889 CC $20 Double Eagle in AU58 for $11,699
- 1890 CC $20 Double Eagle in AU58 for $8,099. We have 2 available.
If any particular issue has caught your attention, additional photos and details are available upon request. Please call us today at 1-800-831-0007 or email us.
Uniquely Rare Issues
We also have available a rare and unique specimen for especially discerning collectors!
1871 $20 Double Eagle in AU53 for $84,999. Only 17,387 total minted (official U.S. mint records have reported it as 14,687)! And just about 250 total remain in this grade. The 2nd most desirable CC $20 Double Eagle behind the Mega rare 1870-CC. This issue ranks in the top 15% of all Double Eagles for overall rarity.
Please call one of our Preferred Client Relations representatives today at 800-831-0007 to order your Carson City $20 Double Eagle. This cache might be large by Carson City standards, but it won’t satisfy demand from our client base. We encourage you to act quickly; these coins will find new homes in a very short period of time.
*Prices are subject to change due to market fluctuation and product availability. Price includes free shipping, handling and insurance. Offer expires Friday, June 13, 2025 or while supplies last.
