1891-CC $20 Gold Carson City Coin of theWeek 10-23-2011

Musing in 1891
In 1891, the Reno Evening Gazette began the year waxing nostalgic about the Old West. Staff writer William Daugherty wrote a series of articles on various subjects, interviewing old-timers and jotting down their stories. On January 26, 1891, the following was related:

"Times ain't like they used to be," said a Eureka visitor at a down town hotel, a few nights since, from the depths of a bar room chair as he aimed at the cuspidor and settling back, wiped off his chin, and said, "The days were better in Pioche When a stage was robbed every few nights, and money was plenty, and the boys walked around town without much danger of getting hauled in."

Birds-eye view of Virginia City, 1861
C.C. Kuchel, Lithographer 1815 - 1872

Every one moved up a little closer to the speaker as he continued and said, "I recollect one night of seeing Jack Harris come into the barber shop, wearing a pair of long legged cavalry boots, and as the side walks were good and no mud in the streets, some one asked him why he wore such boots. He said they were his rustlin' boots and when he had any rustlin' to do, he always went well heeled. Well, sure enough, that night the Hamilton stage was stopped, coming in, when about one mile out from Pioche and relieved of Fargo's box; the driver was ordered to turn around and go back. He obeyed orders until he thought it safe to return, and then he wheeled around and came into Pioche, arriving about midnight, and some hours behind time. At the Express office on the sidewalk were congregated about two hundred men waiting for letters which usually came that way. The express clerk was waiting and asked the driver, as he bore down on the brake and stopped, to pass out the express box. The driver, answered a little crest fallen, that the boys down the road had it when he last saw it.

Main Street, Goldfield Nevada, 1903, A. Allen, photographer

"The crowd was listening with great interest and at this announcement, they threw up their hats and gave three wild cheers and began to laugh. The road agents got about $1700.00 and there was a big effort made to catch 'em. "Oh! those were good old times for money," said the speaker as he moved up to the bar and laid down a half a dollar." (Reno Evening Gazette, January 26, 1891)
In 1891, Roswell Keyes Colcord was elected Governor of Nevada, serving until 1895. In 1898, President William McKinley installed Colcord as superintendent of the U.S. Mint in Carson City, where he served until 1911 while it was a U.S. Assay Office. He passed away on October 30, 1939. He was laid to rest at Lone Mountain Cemetery.

1891-CC Double Eagle - Some specifications
The 1891-CC is an example of a Type 2 Liberty Head Double Eagle, With Motto, used on the $5, $10 and $20 gold from 1866 through 1907. James B. Longacre was the designer; best known for his Indian Cent and $3 gold designs. The facial features of Liberty, particularly the angle of the head, and the features of the mouth are reminiscent of the Indian Cent and the rendition of Liberty on the $3 gold piece. The gold content was 90%, the diameter approximately 34 millimeters. According to Doug Winter, a single variety is known for this date and mint mark.

Mintage
As has been related in other essays, after the Bland Allison Act was passed in 1878, the Carson City Mint struck only dollars in silver and all three denominations in gold. After an amazing run of 91,209 double eagles struck in 1890, the most production since 1876, the mintage began its decline, striking only 5,000 in 1891 and 27,265 and 18,402 in 1892 and 1893, respectively. A percieved dwindling need for both these large coins caused the silver dollars to be stored away in Treasury vaults and double eagles to be exported in commerce overseas.

Survival
Rusty Goe reports in “The Mint On Carson Street that 270 – 325 survive in all grades. Only 42 – 50 survive in Uncirculated condition and 205 – 250 are estimated to exist in XF – AU condition. At April 2003, PCGS and NGC had seen and encapsulated 261 specimens. The relatively high survival rate for a 5,000 run of double eagles is attributed by Rusty Goe and others to being exported at the time of minting and later being repatriated by diligent collectors.

Recent Sales, Some Prices Realized



NGC VF-30 example, Heritage lot 5169 sold for $7,187 on 10 13 2011




NGC MS-61 example, Heritage lot 7665, Chicago Signature Platinum Night auction, sold for $40,250 on August 12, 2011.




NGC AU-58 example, Heritage lot 5042, sold for $16,675 on 6 3 2011



NGC AU58 example, Heritage lot 2268, sold for $17,250 0n Jan 7, 2010




PCGS MS-61 example, Bowers and Merena lot 3974 sold for $28,750 on March 26, 2009.

Postscript
It has been a distinct pleasure and an honor to participate with some great collectors, numismatists, enthusiasts, and just a great group of guys in this endeavor. I always enjoy writing professionally and this has given me an opportunity to write about a hobby that I have enjoyed all my life. A big thank you to the COWboys, the great people of Southgate Coins, and to the board participants for all your support and encouragement. Also, a big thank you to Rusty Goe; if you had not written The Mint on Carson Street, this project could not have been possible. All the best as always.

Best part of COW....the history!

Thanks, Patricia!

Hi Garryn

You wrote; "Also, a big thank you to Rusty Goe; if you had not written The Mint on Carson Street, this project could not have been possible. All the best as always."

This is so true. Many thanks for mentioning this and giving the proper credit where due.

And a big thanks to you for your participation in this COW project, it has been a pleasure being one of your fellow writers.

Your COW post here is a very fun and historic read and is your best post yet...you covered all the facts in a very organized manner. Great picture presentation too.

the drummer

Garry, I have learned alot of intersting facts form your COW posts. As usual you posted an informative view of the life and times back in the Comstock days and some beautiful examples of some double eagles with that precious "CC" mintmark. Excellent job !!!!


Loosechange

Great article. And "here, here" to Garryn, all the other COWboys, and to Rusty and crew!