Original Mintage:
Proof coins only: 510
Many unsold proofs from multiple dates were melted when the denomination was abolished. There are no records as to the exact number of 1877 proof coins melted, but the widely accepted
value for the net mintage is 350.
Major Varieties:
None
Overall Scarcity:
Of the regular issues, the proof-only 1877 has the lowest mintage and is the key date of the series. The scarcity and high price of the proof-only issues causes many collectors
to only acquire 1875-76 circulation strikes.
Numerous proofs appear each year at auction. Circulated examples are rare with few original, unimpaired circulated examples known.
Comments:
Proof coins of this date that are not impaired, cleaned, or polished are available on occasion and generally command a significant premium. Coins that have been mishandled or are otherwise
not original, including dipped white examples (but apparently still acceptable to the major grading firms) are encountered more frequently.
A few circulated examples exist and most are cleaned or polished. Due to the low mintage, even impaired circulated proof coins are expensive. The demand for the few original, problem-free,
circulated examples is substantial, and owners can pretty much name their own price.
Example of a lightly circulated 1877 proof coin (click for full-size images)
Die Marriages:
A single pair of dies was used for this proof-only issue.
