1890-CC $1 MS PL

Key to Collecting: The mintage figure for the 1890-CC dollar, far and away the largest in the Carson City series, does not translate to pieces being common in Mint State today. Most probably, quantities were placed into circulation in the nineteenth century, and perhaps many bags were melted under the provisions of the 1918 Pittman Act. By the time the supply on hand in the Treasury Building was checked, in 1964, there were fewer than 4,000 pieces in sight. Today, many if not most 1890-CC dollars are decently struck, and most have attractive luster. However, more than just a few are very “baggy.” Certification quantities fall o" a cli" past MS-64.

Surface Quality: Striking varies from weak at the centers to fairly sharp, the last being the general rule. Usually seen with attractive mint luster.

Prooflike Coins: Prooflike coins are seen with frequency, but even a few bagmarks can make such pieces unattractive. Prooflikes are often lightly struck above the ear.

Mintage and Distribution: Delivery figures by month: January, 150,000; February, 188,000; March, 200,000; April, 200,000; May, 150,000; June, 200,000; July, 200,000; August, 200,000; September, 200,000; October, 200,000; November, 176,000; December, 245,041 Quantities of 1890-CC dollars were shipped to San Francisco and to the Treasury Building in Washington, D.C., after the Carson City Mint ended operations. In the early 1930’s at least a few bags were paid out in Washington. In 1941 and 1942 additional bags were paid out at the same location, followed in 1942 and 1943 by many bags in San Francisco. From the latter a few thousand coins are believed to have gone to dealers and collectors, and the others into circulation. In the 1950’s bags were released in Washington to dealers with “connections,” furnishing a decent supply. By 1956 and 1957 bags were becoming scarce. After the great Treasury release was halted in March 1964, the General Services Administration holding of 1890-CC dollars totaled 3,949, or 0.17% of the original mintage, per a later inventory.55

Regarding the more than a half-dozen attributed varieties known from 15 or more die pairs prepared, the best known of the year is VAM-4, the Tail Bar, which displays from the bottom arrow feather to the olive branch below, the result of a die gouge.