A circulated example of an 1877-CC quarter was spent in Carson City on Saturday, August 7 by a Reno coin dealer to raise the awareness of the annual coin show being held in that city.
Big Bucks Offered for Old Quarter
Collector Lets Change Loose in Carson: Man Aims to Raise Profile of Coin Show.
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
August 11, 2004
The search is on for an 1877-CC Liberty Seated quarter minted in Carson City that is worth $300 to the person who redeems the valuable coin at the Nevada State Museum.
Reno coin dealer and collector Rusty Goe purposely spent the quarter in Carson City last weekend to raise awareness for the Carson City Mint Coin Show on Aug. 28-29 at the state museum.
He is offering the reward to the person who brings the coin to the museum.
"I’m not going to give away any secrets," Goe said Tuesday. "I made sure I spent it at a local store that was really busy and turned over a lot of change."
Goe said he made a $2.37 purchase at the store and paid with a stack of quarters with the rare coin tucked among the modern quarters.
"I tried to divert the clerk's attention in the hope that she wouldn't just look at each quarter and she didn't," he said.
Goe said he has the receipt that shows the date, time and location of his purchase. He said the transaction was photographed from a distance.
"I winked into the camera then I walked out of the store, and we took pictures outside to use as a reference. The cashier had no idea what was going on," he said.
The coin has an image of Liberty seated with stars and the 1877 date on the front (obverse) side and an eagle with the CC mark and the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA QUAR. DOL. on the tail (reverse) side.
Carson City Mint records show 4.192 million 1877-CC quarters were struck. In his book, The Mint on Carson Street, Goe estimates that fewer than 7,500 survive today.
"The one we spent has special markings that only (museum curator) Bob Nylen and I know about," Goe said.
That's to prevent someone from trying to redeem another coin.
"Somebody might get it and spend it again, not realizing what they have," he said. "Or, they might take it to a local coin store or pawn shop and try to get an offer. That would not be the best thing."
Goe said the quarter is worth $200-$250, but its value might increase because of the publicity over the coin hunt.
"This date is one of the more common issues from the Carson City Mint, but like all the coins from this legendary facility, it is interesting to collectors and the curious," Goe said.
If the coin is redeemed after the coin show, Goe said he'll still pay the $300.
"I've been thinking about doing this for several years. At coin shows in larger cities, similar things are done," Goe said.
Owner of Southgate Coins in Reno, Goe recently purchased an 1873 Without Arrows dime for $891,250. The dime is the rarest known coin in existence with the Carson City mintmark.
DETAILS
If you find the 1877-CC mint quarter, contact Nevada State Museum curator of history Bob Nylen at 687-4810, ext. 239. The museum is at 600 N. Carson St., Carson City.
The Carson City Mint Coin Show is 9:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Aug. 28-29 at the Nevada State Museum, 600 N. Carson St., site of the old mint. Forty dealers from the Western United States will attend. Visitors will learn about gold panning and observe museum volunteers operate the historic Coin Press No. 1. Coin show admission is included with museum general admission, $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, children under 18 free. Information, 687-4810, ext. 222.
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