The 1877-S is the most available of the three double eagles produced during this first year of the Type Three design. It is common in lower grades and can be found in the lowest uncirculated grades but it is surprisingly rare in MS63 and above.

Expert’s Corner: 1877-CC Double Eagle

The 1877-S is probably the most available of the early S mint Type Three issues, but it is still a good coin to own in MS62 and above. Try and select an example that has fewer marks than normal when you are looking for one.

This date is often seen with a good strike, but it tends to not be as well defined as the Philadelphia double eagle of this year. The obverse often shows weakness on the hair below the ear and at the back of the bun. Some coins are weak on the stars at the right. It is best to avoid a below-average strike as examples can be found with decent overall impressions. The reverse tends to come better struck than the obverse with good detail at the centers. 

The 1877-S Double Eagle: Luster, Coloration, and Eye Appeal

The 1877-S was an issue that was roughly handled, and many are seen with very deep abrasions in the fields that give a“choppy”appearance. Lightly marked pieces are hard to find and worth a significant premium. The luster is frosty in texture with an occasional grainy complexion in the fields. The coloration ranges from rose-gold to pale green to medium orange. This is a hard date to locate with good eye appeal, as many have been dipped and most are very heavily abraded.