The 1890-CC is the most available Type Three double eagle from the Carson City Mint.

Expert’s Corner: 1890-CC Double Eagle

Back in the day, I was able to buy many examples of this date in a wide variety of grades. But as Carson City double eagles have grown more and more popular, the supply of 1890-CC’s has dwindled, and I often am only able to buy two or three nice pieces I like a month. I imagine that this issue will become even more popular in the coming years.

This issue is typically seen with an above-average strike. Liberty’s hair is bold, and the eagle’sfeathers are complete. The rims may have a beveled appearance which is not the result of strike, and a few of the obverse stars will sometimes have incomplete radial lines. The surfaces are heavily abraded on most 1890-CC double eagles. The fields are often very heavily marked with abrasions, often poorly situated so as to be detracting. 

1890-CC Double Eagle – Surface and Eye Appeal Overview

A number of 1890-CC double eagles have no real wear, but they are so“baggy”that they are net graded as AU55 or AU58 by the grading services. This issue tends to have very good luster. Many have deep, rich mint frost while others have semi-proof-like fields. There are even a few 1890-CC double eagles known which are fully proof-like. The coloration ranges from light orange-gold to a deep coppery-orange or greenish-gold hue. The level of eye appeal ranges greatly, but there are some very nice 1890-CC double eagles known. If the collector is patient, he should be able to find a pleasing example with sharp detail, good color and better than average surfaces.