1877 Indian Cent. Snow-2. MS-64 RB (PCGS). Offered is a highly desirable Choice Uncirculated example of the fabled key date 1877 Indian cent. More Red than Brown, both sides retain much of the original mint color in a blend of deep rose and medium orange shades. Wisps of pale pink and bright apricot flash into view at direct lighting angles, toning minimal in iridescent brown that is not readily evident. Boldly to sharply struck throughout, a lone carbon spot that is out of way at the upper reverse border may be the only impediment to an even higher numeric grade. Worthy of a premium bid.<p>With just 852,500 pieces produced, the 1877 has the lowest mintage among circulation strike Indian cents after only the final year 1909-S (309,000 struck). The 1877 is rarer than the 1909-S in all grades, however, because it was made during an era in which most collectors were content to obtain a Proof example. As a result, circulation strike 1877 cents were generally overlooked in their day, most finding their way into commercial channels, which generally meant several years of recycling between the Mint and banks. This recycling actually explains the low mintage for the circulation strike 1877.<p>Although popular during the Civil War and early Reconstruction eras when silver and gold coins had disappeared from circulation in the East and Midwest, by the 1870s large quantities of bronze cents had begun to accumulate in banks as public demand for them waned. Through the Act of March 3, 1871 Congress authorized the Mint to redeem these bronze cents (along with copper and nickel coins), melt them, and use the metal retrieved to strike new coins. In 1874 the Mint modified this practice by simply reissuing the redeemed coins alongside whatever newly struck examples were required to meet demand. In 1877, a depression year, the Philadelphia Mint redeemed an unusually large number of bronze cents -- 9,908,148 coins (per Rick Snow, 2014) -- and reissued 9,821,500 coins, largely meeting demand. Relatively few new coins were required, explaining the limited mintage for the circulation strike 1877 Indian cent.<p><p>This issue is eagerly sought in all grades, both circulated and Mint State, the present near-Gem sure to please even the advanced Indian cent enthusiast. From the BSC Indians Collection. From the BSC Indians Collection.
