November auctions were rich with numismatic rarities from the Old West mint in Carson City. Over $20,000,000 went under the hammer, setting one world record and exceeding expectations on numerous occasions.

Bidding is always enthusiastic for Carson City minted coins, from Seated Liberty Dimes to Morgan Silver Dollars, to old west gold. But November bidding was especially fierce for major rarities baring the desirable double “CC” mint mark. On the night of November 11, an 1870-CC $20 Liberty sold for a world record $1,620,000. This exact same specimen sold just seven years ago for $411,250 which confirms how desirable the coins of Carson City truly are to high-end collector and investors.

The 1.6 million 1870-CC rarity was not the only CC minted treasure drawing attention. During the auction, two other Carson City gold pieces from the same collection also sold for substantially more than expected.

One of them, an 1872-CC double eagle $20, realized $144,000. Unlike the 1870-CC $20 Liberty, the 1872-CC is not a legendary rarity. Its high price can be attributed to the fact that it’s graded NGC MS61, and there exist but two coins certified finer.

An 1877-CC double eagle, graded MS62, likewise sold for $144,000, and is highly regarded as a scarce Carson City date; this coin, too, is tied for the finest certified, making it a valuable cornerstone to a collection.

But all that glittered from the foray of Carson City coinage was not necessarily gold.

Date	Description	Service	Grade	Price Realized
1873-CC	Seated Arrows Dime	NGC	MS65	$180,000
1875-CC	Twenty Cent	PCGS	MS66	$84,000
1870-CC	Seated Quarter	NGC	XF40	$26,400
1875-CC	Seated Quarter	PCGS	MS65	$24,000

1876-CC	Seated Quarter	NGC	MS67	$16,800
1873-CC	Seated Half	PCGS	MS63	$12,600
1874-CC	Seated Half	PCGS	AU58	$16,200
1876-CC	Seated Half	PCGS	MS66	$21,600
1877-CC	Seated Half	NGC	MS67	$18,000
1878-CC	Seated Half	PCGS	MS63	$17,400
1870-CC	Seated Dollar	PCGS	MS62	$24,000
1873-CC	Seated Dollar	NGC	MS61	$114,000

1874-CC	Trade Dollar	PCGS	MS65	$16,800
1878-CC	Trade Dollar	PCGS	MS62	$16,800
1878-CC	$5 Liberty	PCGS	AU58	$72,000
1872-CC	$10 Liberty	PCGS	AU50	$25,200
1873-CC	$10 Liberty	NGC	AU55	$57,600
1875-CC	$10 Liberty	NGC	MS60	$75,000
1878-CC	$10 Liberty	NGC	AU55	$40,800
1884-CC	$10 Liberty	NGC	MS62	$43,200

1893-CC	$10 Liberty	PCGS	MS61PL	$30,000
1870-CC	$20 Liberty	PCGS	AU53	$1,620,000
1872-CC	$20 Liberty	NGC	MS61	$144,000
1877-CC	$20 Liberty	PCGS	MS62	$144,000

“Enthusiasm for Carson City coinage remains high, especially for scarce dates or top-grade examples”, says Brian Hodge, senior buyer for Finest Known. “CC gold led the charge, with mind blowing bidding for the 1870-CC double eagle. The strong prices realized this past month confirms the strength in these Wild West rarities.”