The “CC” double eagle series contains one of the four landmark rarities in the 111-piece set of Carson City coins. The other three are made of silver, the 1873-CC Without Arrows dime and quarter, and the 1876 twenty-cent piece. The 1870-CC double eagle is included in this revered group, although its rarity doesn’t approach that of the three silver coins.

Still, collectors have praised the 1870-CC double eagle for its rarity and its desirability for decades. A primary reason is that it comes from the Carson Mint’s first year of operations. And another reason of course, is its low original mintage figure of just 3,789 pieces.

No other date in the “CC” double eagle series comes close to equaling the 1870-CC's rarity, although you would think that the 1891-CC, with its original output of just 5,000 pieces, might give it competition.

The second year of issue 1871-CC, is considered the second rarest date in the series, although its original output is listed at 14,687 (some sources say 17,387). From that date on, the rarities of the 17 other dates in the series (not including the 1870-CC) are determined on a condition basis.

The survival rate for “CC” double eagles is relatively high, thanks in part to many of these large gold coins being shipped overseas, only to return to the U.S. decades later.