Back in the 1980′s, the 1878-CC was regarded as one of the Big Three Carson City eagles along with the 1870-CC and the 1879-CC. Fast forward three decades and the 1878-CC has now been usurped both in terms of price and respect by issues such as the 1873-CC, 1875-CC and 1877-CC. The 1878-CC is now, in my opinion, an overlooked and undervalued issue in a series which doesn’t have many sleepers.

Of the 3,244 struck, an estimated 60-80 are known today with many in the VF-EF range. The 1878-CC is rare in AU and it appears to be unique in Uncirculated with the finest known an NGC MS63. Most of the collector grade examples known have poor eye appeal due to excessive abrasions and bright surfaces/

This nice, evenly worn example shows pleasing natural russet color with good balance seen between the obverse and the reverse. The strike shows the usual weakness at the centers but there is more than enough detail (and hints of luster) to justify the assigned grade.

The last straight-grade EF40 sold at auction was Heritage 5/09: 1753, slabbed by NGC, which brought $7,188. Prior to this, the last EF40 sold in 2001.

It makes little sense to me that a date like the 1871-CC now sells for around the same price as the much scarcer 1878-CC. A great coin for the collector of nice VF and EF Carson City eagles.