Lot 961
1877 Indian Head Cent. PCGS graded MS-65 Red & Brown. This is the key date in the series and seems to be on everyone's wish list. This example is fully struck with the only mentionable mark hidden in the field between the IC and the last two feathers. The color is nearly full red on the obverse with a slightly more muted reverse. Coins of this caliber show up only once or twice a year and when they do they bring lots of bidding activity. I expect this coin to be hotly contested.
The rarity of the 1877 Indian cent is seemingly a bit underestimated by the mintage figure of 852,500. Rick Snow points out in his new book A Guide Book to Flying Eagle and Indian Cents, that only 2 obverse dies and one reverse die is known for the circulation strike 1877. With an estimated striking limit of 200,000 coins per die, the number of different die pairs of 1877 Indian Cents should be much higher than what we see. Also, the dies did not appreciably deteriorate much more than what is seen on the present example - a few die cracks here and there. The conclusion that Snow draws is that far, far fewer 1877 Indian cent were made than actually reported. Pop 41; 3 finer in 66. (PCGS # 2128) .
Estimated Value $8,500 - 9,500.
Ex : The "Chiro" Collection. Eagle Eye Photo Seal accompanies this lot.
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| Realized $11,500 |
