Graded MS60 by PCGS and the Finest Currently Available

Four Liberty Head eagles from the Philadelphia mint have mintages of fewer than 1,000 (business strikes). These are (in ascending order) the 1875 (100), 1876 (687), 1877 (797), and the 1873 (800).

With an estimated population of 45-55 pieces known, the 1877 is actually the most available of this quartet. But “availability” is a relative term and, in my experience, the 1877 is a rare and significantly overlooked issue.

In an article I wrote in October of 2024, I attempted to demonstrate the rarity of the 1877 eagle (along with the 1873 and 1876) using the better-known and far more expensive 1864-S, 1870-CC, and 1883-O eagles. The conclusion I reached—for those of you too busy to click on the link and read a 2000 word article—is that the Power Trio from Philadelphia compares very favorably to these popular branch mint issues.

As with every known business strike 1877 eagle, this coin is reflective and quite abraded. I have not seen more than two or three examples of this date that weren’t baggy++, and if you are going to buy this coin, you are going to have to live with the marks. The good news is there are none on this coin that qualify as really detracting. The even better news is that this coin is absolutely free of wear and unlike most US gold coins graded MS60, it is really not circulated. Both the obverse and reverse show natural rose-gold color and the reverse is actually rather choice.

There are exactly three 1877 eagles known in Mint State and they are as follows:

1. PCGS MS61 CAC: Tyrant Collection, ex Stack's Bowers 3/2015: 6099 at $64,625.

2. PCGS MS60PL: This coin sold five different times at Heritage auctions between 2018 and 2020.

3. PCGS MS60: This coin, ex Douglas Winter Numismatics, 2025.

Coin #1 is likely off the market forever, while coin #2 has major issues (you wouldn’t want to own it….) ,which leaves you with the following option if you are considering adding a top quality 1877 eagle to your collection: my coin or no coin.

The PCGS population is two in MS60 (including the Prooflike coin described above), with three finer (all in MS61 and all likely the same coin). The PCGS Priceguide suggests a value of $50,000 for an 1877 $10 in PCGS MS60.

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