1883-CC $20 Liberty PCGS AU58 CAC

This particular Type remains unaltered on the obverse side, while a series of adjustments were applied to the reverse. The oval of stars positioned above the eagle's head was enlarged, accommodating the inclusion of the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" within that oval. Alterations were also made to the rays above the oval. The shield underwent a transformation with sides that exhibit slight curvature, differing from the previous Type where they were straight. Additionally, the eagle's tail feathers were repositioned, now situated lower and in closer proximity to the denomination lettering. Minor refinements were implemented in the extremities of the scrolls, the number of leaves on the scrolls, and the placement of the wing tips.
The introduction of the motto into our coinage was prompted by Reverend Mark R. Watkinson from Ridleyville, Pennsylvania. The profound religious sentiments stirred by the uncertainties and horrors of the Civil War among the populace motivated Rev. Watkinson to advocate for its inclusion. Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase concurred with this sentiment and, exercising discretion over coin inscriptions, Chase initially had the motto added to the 2-cent piece in 1864. Originally, the motto was intended to read as "In God Our Trust," but Chase's affiliation with his alma mater may have influenced the final wording. Secretary Chase was an alumnus of Brown University, whose motto, "IN DEO SPERAMUS," translates to "IN GOD WE HOPE." It is believed that Chase took this into consideration when determining the exact wording of the motto.
The Coin Act of March 3, 1865, conferred upon the Treasury the discretionary authority to incorporate the motto "on all coins able to accommodate it," referring to coins of sufficient size to accommodate the motto. The Mint interpreted this as encompassing all silver coins larger than a dime, half eagles, eagles, and double eagles. However, it was not until 1908 that Congress mandated the inclusion of the motto on gold and silver coins. In 1955, Congress passed legislation requiring the motto to be featured on all coins.
The demand for Type 2 Double Eagles primarily emanates from collectors who specialize in various coin types. While some collectors may acquire just a single example, many aim to secure specimens from each of the three Mints that produced this coin: Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Carson City. The pursuit of a complete date and mintmark set is a rare and expensive endeavor, and few take on this challenge. The scarcest issue for this Type is the 1870-CC, with an exceedingly low mintage of only 3,789 pieces. All 1870-CC Double Eagles are exceptionally rare and come with a hefty price tag. To underscore their rarity, between the two major grading services, PCGS and NGC, only 132 coins have ever received certification, and none have attained the status of being uncirculated. Additionally, neither service has designated any example with a grade higher than AU-55.