The 1877 is one of four Liberty Head eagles from the 1870′s with mintages less than 1,000 coins. Only 797 were made for circulation and an estimated 50 or so are known including two in Uncirculated (PCGS MS60 and PCGS MS61).

As with all examples of this date, the present coin is prooflike with liberal amount of reflective surface adhering to the protected areas. There is enough “body” to suggest a higher grade but there are enough marks to limit it, as is, at the 50 level. The surfaces of nearly all 1877 eagles are very abraded and this piece actually is cleaner than usual for the issue.

The last PCGS AU50 1877 eagle to sell at auction was a recolored piece offered as Heritage 1/12: 8625; it still brought $8,625.

The ultra-low mintage P mint eagles from the 1870′s are becoming very popular with collectors and issues like the 1873 and 1876 are out-of-reach to all but those with high budgets. If you want a nice 1877, I’d suggest that now is the time before these rarities become all but unaffordable!

Only two 1877 eagles have been approved by CAC: this piece and a PCGS AU55 in the Simpson Collection.