Owner Comments:
Satisfies the 1870s decade, the Carson City mint, and the $20 Coronet Head design.
Still slightly "underwater" on this coin (NGC Price Guide Value; August 2023), even though it was purchased nine years ago. I knew it would add unmatched coherence to the overall Type Set, so I paid up to ensure securing it.
This was the first double eagle gold coin that I had ever seen or held, and the grandeur and heft that it bestowed was really something for me to experience. The coin has an overall proof-like appearance to it, and I've always wondered if it might have graded MS61 had Liberty's hair been just slightly more stark in relief. The reverse side is virtually flawless, and the left curlycue by the eagle's beak has a barely visible, well-centered, copper spot within it, adding interest to the coin by discretely highlighting — punctuating, if you will — reddish-gold, so familiar to Carson City.
Finally, the date — 1876 — the first centennial of the signing of the 1776 Declaration of Independence, and with the coin portrayed here, its handsome date — the angularity and curvature of the four large numerals — well, everything comes together for this majestic, CC mintmark, USA gold coin.