1877 Indian Cent. MS-65 RD (PCGS).An impressive example of this famed rarity offering smooth and unblemished surfaces throughout. The obverse displays bright peach coloration with scattered tinges of amber near the border. Darker honey-gold and bronze tones marble on the reverse, accented by a crimson iridescence on the high points. The left obverse legend is slight weak, as is common for the issue, though the central elements are boldly pronounced. <p>Although the final year 1909-S has a lower mintage, the 1877 is the undisputed key issue in the circulation strike Indian cent series. In 1877, the Mint redeemed 9,908,148 earlier dated bronze cents, and later reissued 9,821,500 of these into circulation. This redistribution met most of the commercial demand, and very few new cents need to be struck. The resulting mintage was a scant 852,500 pieces, most examples of which slipped quietly into circulation during an era when numismatic interest was almost exclusively focused on Proofs. The 1877 is particularly desirable in Mint State, at which level it is scarce in an absolute sense. With most Uncirculated survivors grading no finer than MS-64 RB, Gem Red examples such as that offered here are undeniably rare from a condition standpoint. This is one of the most important circulation strike 1877 cents that we have offered in recent sales, and is sure to see spirited bidding.From the Anne Kate Collection.
