1885-CC Coronet $20 Double Eagle

Only 9,450 Coronet $20 double eagles were struck at the Carson City Mint in 1885. This is the lowest mintage by far for Carson double eagles during the 1880’s.⁽¹⁾

There were three years during the decade of the 1880’s when zero coins were produced at Carson City. This occurred in 1886, 1887, and 1888.

In 1884, the nation elected Grover Cleveland as president. In Cleveland’s eyes, the Carson City Mint was an unnecessary drag on the federal government and shut it down shortly after taking the oath of office on March, 4 1885. His position was bullion could be coined more efficiently at the San Francisco Mint.⁽²⁾

Before losing his job, Coiner Levi Dague struck 9,450 double eagles in the first two months of 1885, but there were to be no more 1885-CC double eagles. After coining operations ceased, the facility remained open as an assay and refining office.⁽³⁾

Cleveland lost his re-election bid in 1888, whereupon his successor, Benjamin Harrison, returned minting operations to Carson City in 1889. The voters sent Cleveland to the White House a second time in 1892, and as expected, Carson City coinage came to a permanent halt the following year.

Because of such a small original mintage, the 1885-CC double eagle is a rare coin today in all grades. Although its survivorship rate of 4.2%⁽⁴⁾ is considerably higher than many of its “CC” predecessors, finding an example for sale requires some searching.

The value trend charts for the 1885-CC double eagle have consistently pointed in the positive direction, in a much steeper manner compared to most collectible coins. Perhaps had Coiner Dague been allowed to stay on the job a bit longer, the 1885-CC would not be the rarity it is today.

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