1875-CC $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle NGC XF40

Here’s a great artifact of the Old West and the Carson City Mint. This desirable piece is more affordable in its assigned grade of XF40. Imaging owning it, calling it your own. NGC has graded 135 examples as XF40 with 1,779 finer. Collectors Universe gives this issue a price of $4,750.00 in XF 40.

The Double Eagles that emanated from the Carson City Mint served two basic functions: a circulating instrument of commerce and a storehouse of value. The big $20 gold coins were the easiest way to mint, transport and trade the great amount of gold that had been recently been extracted from the mines of Nevada.

The Carson City Mint, where this great collectible was struck in 1875. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

During the different gold rushes in the West, and for many years afterwards, paper money was contemptuously derided. That attitude made gold coins important in day-to-day business transactions, and they became the accepted method of payment in the Old West. More than most other Liberty head $20 gold pieces, those from the Carson City Mint remain popular and have grown in value over the years. Among the reasons for this is the romance associated with the Wild West, the Comstock Lode, and the Carson City Mint.