1878-CC $1 MS DMPL

Key to Collecting: Only the Reverse of 1878 (with parallel top arrow feather) was used to produce 1878-CC dollars, and all have seven tail feathers. Most examples are in Mint State and are usually attractive.

Surface Quality: Striking quality varies. All have a flat breast on the eagle, according to the design, but most have sharply defined feathers. Some show parallel planchet lines, particularly on the cheek and jaw of Liberty, where these features, on the original planchet, were not flattened out by the striking process. Some have lightness of detail in the lower part of the eagle and below. In 1982, Wayne Miller noted that this is “one of the most consistently well struck of all Morgan dollars.”6 The luster is very pleasing on the 1878-CC dollar, usually satiny.

Prooflike Coins: Some dies are prooflike, but these are in the distinct minority. However, in absolute terms enough exist that there is no diffculty finding one.

Mintage and Distribution: On April 17, 1878, the Carson City Morning Appeal included this commentary, including remarks on the dollar design not likely to prompt readers to acquire souvenirs:

After the great Treasury release was halted in March 1964, the General Services Administration holding of 1878-CC dollars totaled 60,993, or 2.75% of the original mintage, per a later inventory. Even before 1962, bag quantities were traded in numismatic circles from an estimated (by me) 100,000 to 125,000 released from the Treasury from the late 1930’s to 1962.

Many die combinations exist for the 1878-CC from 30 die pairs, none of commanding importance to nonspecialists. The Top 100 Morgan Dollar Varieties singles out VAM-6, VAM-11, VAM-18, and VAM-24.