1885-CC $20 Double Eagle CC Coin of the Week 6-6-10

1885-CC $20 Gold Double Eagle

This week’s coin of the week snuck up on me rather quick. I also picked a day that came after being at a show for 4 days, not the best of planning. So on this coin I decided to spend a little time at the Long Beach show to find a cooler than normal coin. I was hoping to find a coin that would really catch my eye and I did. I was able to poke around the show and ask a few dealers for a cool CC coins to write about. Luckily for me a dealer from Nevada made the decision very easy for me. I had mentioned to him what I was looking for and he came back to my table with a few coins. The first one was stunning and I knew I had my coin. The coin was an 1885-CC $20 gold double eagle. The coin is graded MS60 by PCGS and is housed in an OGH. Regardless of rarity, value or history this is the coin I wanted to write about because of the coin. It was dripping, oozing and flashing luster like you would not believe. The strike is hammered. The coin exhibits a definite PL appearance, very obvious on the obverse, more subtle on the reverse. Being a DMPL/PL collector this coin was tugging on the old heart. I also prefer the $20 Lib design over the $20 Saint, so to me this coin is close to perfection. The coin is a MS60, so it is baggy but the luster still booms.

Now as I finish wiping the drool from my lip some more info on the 1885-CC $20. Total mintage for this issue was a very scarce 9,450. This issue is scarce in all grades as it circulated extensively in the West and abroad for trade. This is a highly desirable issue.



Please click below for a full size image. Thanks to this dealer for letting me borrow his coin!
bluccphotos.com/clients/curry/188520/Images/1.jpg

I agree, Todd. An awesome looking coin. I just saw the price of that coin. Scary!! :laugh:

Very nice coin and an excellent choice. What is it, like the third rarest CC double eagle? Most certainly a coin on my CC "dream list". I agree with you on the design, while the Saint Gaudens has artistic merit in its own right, I prefer the classic, stately design of the Liberty head. I think it just has a better look. Thanks for the article.
-R.-

I agree Randy and the reverse design of the eagle has to be about the best ever...

That is so true, Garry, the reverse has such a regal look to it, it doesen't hold a candle to the Saint.

Ohhh is that ever a nice coin....The 1885-CC $20 is a tougher date to find great examples like this one...and in an old green holder too!

Michael the drummer