This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Carson City mint. This is arguably the most recognized and popular
mint mark in US coin collecting. The coins made at this mint have a tendency to have a lower production number
than the other mints, and there are a few classic rarities with the double c.
Congress authorized the construction of the mint in 1863 in an effort to finance the civil war. Also, the Comstock silver discovery, the richest in US history, led to the decision as an economical way to coin the silver instead of shipping it to other mints, some much further away. The first coins were struck on February 11, 1870. Built at the peak of the silver boom conveniently near a local silver mine, 50 issues of silver coins and 57 issues of gold coins were minted there between 1870 and 1893 and bore the “CC” mint mark.
The mint was unfortunately plagued with scandals and corruption and had operations suspended in 1885, resumed production in 1889, and was closed as a mint in 1893. It continued as an assay office until 1933. The building now houses the Nevada State Museum, Carson City, one of seven state museums.
