1870-CC Coronet $10 Eagle

The huge volume of precious metal ore being uncovered in the Nevada Territory prompted Congress in 1863 to authorize a branch mint near the mining district, though it would not be until January 1870 the Carson City Mint opened its doors for business.⁽¹⁾

Some of the rarest, most desirable coins in United States numismatics were struck at Carson City. True scarcity and strong collector demand have teamed up over the course of many decades to drive the price of “CC” coins ever higher.⁽²⁾

One component of the demand is the allure of owning relics from the romanticized American Wild West, exemplified to perfection by coins from the Carson City Mint.

No coin embodies this nostalgic era better than the 1870-CC $10 eagle, with the possible exception of its larger cousin, the 1870-CC $20 double eagle.

The first delivery of 1,644 eagles was made on February 14. These were the first gold coins struck at Carson City. Before the close of the branch mint’s inaugural year, an additional 4,264 “tens” rolled off the presses, bringing the final tally of the historic 1870-CC eagles to 5,908.

Local newspapers breathlessly reported on the activity on Carson Street, but apparently, no one thought to set aside keepsakes of the earliest products of the fledgling mint. As soon as the new shiny coins were paid out to the miners who deposited the gold, they were spent and absorbed by the western economy, where they spent many years circulating.⁽³⁾

Toward the end of the 19th century, Augustus Heaton’s A Treatise on the Coinage of the United States Branch Mints stimulated interest in collecting coins by mintmark. When numismatists of the day began to diligently search for examples of the 1870-CC Coronet eagle, they realized nearly all of the original mintage no longer existed.⁽⁴⁾

Today, PCGS estimates there are about 66 surviving examples of the 1870-CC eagles.⁽⁵⁾ Yes, this is one tough coin to find.

Carson City specialist Rusty Goe describes the 1870-CC eagle as "one of the most exciting date-denominations in the entire galaxy of Carson City coins".⁽⁶⁾ Appropriate imagery, because the value trends of this legendary coin act as if they’re strapped to a rocket ship blasting into outer space!

Preview of eBay selection (the HERE link above may do a better job finding 1870-CC $10s for sale):

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