The 1875 date is among the rarest ones in the Carson City eagle series. We estimate that only about 100 to 135 specimens survive in all grades, from the original mintage of 7,715 pieces. Many survivors show signs of cleaning or other careless and abusive mishandling. Dealers and collectors know how extremely rare it is to find an example displaying original, problem-free surfaces.

The PCGS AU-50 specimen offered here exudes as much originality and character as one could expect from this date. Its surfaces on both sides exhibit an alluring honey-gold color, with light accents of complementing soft fuchsia and olive blended in. Ample luster peeks through the lightly dusted surface-haze. In fact, for the grade assigned this coin’s radiance is far above average, although the luster is tempered by the original veiling of light “crust” covering the surfaces.

If someone were to remove the light, original surface coating (an irresponsible act in our opinion), the qualities required for a commercial grade of AU-53 would be revealed. However, it is best to preserve this coin’s original charm for posterity.

Blemishes on the obverse worth mentioning are a series of arcing small scratches on the upper left field, several small divots running horizontally above Lady Liberty’s head and near stars 6 and 7, and a couple of small cuts on the front of her neck. Contact marks on the reverse are minimal in size and number. It must be mentioned that some dark speckles of crud (for lack of a better term) are visible inside the E in TEN and floating above the N. Most likely, this grunge has rested on this same area for decades. It is a part of the coin’s story of its journey through time. This debris could probably disappear by some act of conservation, but considering its obscure location and its connection to this coin’s overall originality, there is no reason to attempt its removal.

For the assigned grade (and considering the characteristics associated with this date) the highpoints display better than average detail. On the reverse, weakness is evident on the large arrow fletching beneath the shield’s tip and on the eagle’s talons. The first “C” in the mintmark is fainter than the second. The obverse’s central raised devices show slight weakness, but the details are bolder on these areas than is usually seen on 1875-CC eagles.

CAC hasn’t approved many 1875-CC eagles. The experts there had no problem approving this specimen. This attractive and highly desirable specimen pedigreed to the Fairmont Collection will fill a huge space in any advanced set of Carson City eagles.