The 1871-CC is the second rarest double eagle from this mint after the 1870-CC and, for most collectors, it is the single most significant CC double eagle that they will purchase. It is scarce in all grades and very rare in properly graded AU55. I know of just three or four Uncirculated examples and the finest known, graded MS64 by NGC, sold for $322,000 as Battle Born: 11040 in 2012.

This moderately abraded example shows light yellow-gold color with a considerable amount of prooflike “flash” remaining on both sides. The obverse is very choice with excellent detail and the body of a coin approaching AU58; the reverse is a bit less flashy, mainly due to its having a more frosty texture. The obverse fields are lightly marked with nothing deep or detracting while the reverse is cleaner with just a few marks. The eye appeal is clearly better than average for the date and grade.

There have been only two AU55 1871-CC sold at auction in close to three years. The last one, graded by NGC and ex Heritage 10/12: 6214, brought $48,469 and was not nearly as lustrous as the present example; Heritage 1/10: 2253, graded by PCGS, was recolored and it sold for $40,250.

The demand for rare and important Carson City double eagles has never been stronger than at the current time and, despite this, very few great coins have come out of hiding. It could be a long time until a finer 1871-CC is available.