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No Mint State examples exist of this incredibly rare date in the Carson City gold eagle series. Two are known in PCGS AU-58 holders; a third AU-58 specimen has surfaced recently in an NGC slab (it is doubtful that a second example exists in AU-58 condition in NGC plastic to correlate with NGC’s second submission event at this level).

Below the AU-58 line specimens remain extremely elusive in the next tier of the About Uncirculated grouping. In fact, examples certified as AU-55 (just like at the AU-58 level) are rarely offered. Two AU-55 pieces in PCGS holders are known. The one offered here clearly ranks as the finest in the AU-55 class (inclusive of ones certified by NGC). In fact, the present PCGS AU-55 specimen arguably qualifies for an AU-58 rating. It is indeed on equal footing with at least one of the coins currently housed in a PCGS AU-58 slab; this comparison also applies to the known NGC AU-58 piece.

This PCGS AU-55 eagle once spent time in the David Hall and Bob R. Simpson collections. In June 1979 it appeared (uncertified) in a Stack’s auction, in which the cataloger described it as a “SPLENDID 1877-CC EAGLE.” Considering how unappealing many 1877-CC eagles are, this specimen clearly deserves a shout out as being “splendid,” if not at least exceptional for its grade.

The details on all its highpoints show much definition, except for minor weakness on the typically softly-struck large arrow fletching below the reverse’s eagle. Warm golden-orange-yellow color and radiant luster immediately capture the viewer’s attention. Contact marks liberally pepper the obverse. Yet, although they are numerous, not any are large enough or unsightly enough in nature to be considered distractive. Several small diagonal cuts around Lady Liberty’s jawline and a similar one on the lower left obverse field to the right of star 2 are worth noting. The reverse displays its fair share of small hits, although the quantity is far fewer than that on the obverse, and none are by any means bothersome. For the record, someone in the past carefully removed a very thin layer of this coin’s top surface by using a chemical solution (in other words, a light dipping occurred).

Anyone who has searched for a high-grade example of this low-mintage date-denomination knows how infrequent are the opportunities to acquire one. They simply rarely ever surface. When a qualifier of attractive eye appeal is added to the wish list, the wait can prove excessively long. The specimen offered here will please any connoisseur of rare-date “CC” gold eagles. It is a piece that once it is swooped from the market it will leave a huge void. Many years could pass before one possessing its quality-level surfaces again.