1893-CC Double Eagle - 1893-CC $20 PCGS AU50. This crusty Carson City 1893-CC Double Eagle is well struck and has subdued mint luster within its devices. This 1893-CC Double Eagle coin comes in an OGH (old, green holder) and, were it not for a couple of light obverse scratches, it would have easily graded AU55 or better. The sharpness of the strike is seen in the full details of the centers of the stars and the design details of the reverse. Although they are little dirty, the surfaces are fully original.

Designed by James B. Longacre, the coin depicts a bust of Liberty in profile facing left. She wears a LIBERTY inscribed tiara. Her hair is tied behind her head as two large curls flow down her neck. She is surrounded by thirteen six-pointed stars, and the date is below. The designers initials J.B.L. are at the junction of the truncation and the left curl. Dentils are around the periphery on both sides. The reverse shows a heraldic eagle with elaborate ribbons on both sides of the shield extending from the top corner down to the eagles tail feathers. The ribbons are inscribed, on the left E PLURIBUS and UNUM on the right.

The ribbons were added to the design to symbolize the denomination since this was the first double eagle coin. There is an oval of thirteen stars above the eagles head, within which is inserted the motto IN GOD WE TRUST, and an arc of rays from wing tip to wing tip behind the upper half of the oval. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is in an arc above the eagle, and the denomination TWENTY DOLLARS is below.

This issue is the last year for double eagles from the Carson City Mint. Although the mintage is small at 18,402, a large number of them were shipped abroad. In recent times, many have returned, and what was once considered an elusive rarity is obtainable today.