The strike seen on most 1873-CC Double Eagles is sharp. While some of the stars on the obverse are not fully defined, most will be highly detailed. The hair of Liberty shows the typical flatness seen on all Type Two Double Eagles while the reverse is generally quite sharp with the exception of the tips of the eagle’s tail feathers and some of the stars around the motto. 

1873-CC Double Eagle: Surface Marks, Color, and Market Value

The luster is not as good as on the 1872-CC. It tends to have a somewhat ‘washed out,’ satiny texture or may be lightly Prooflike. The surfaces on most examples show very heavy abrasions. A few very clean pieces are known and generally sell for a strong premium. The coloration can range from a bright yellow-gold hue to a deep green-gold shade. Pieces are sometimes seen with minor planchet imperfections or small black ‘grease stains.’ If these are unobtrusively positioned, they will not affect the value of a higher-grade coin.