1880-CC $1 MS PL

Key to Collecting: The 1880-CC exists in two varieties: the Reverse of 1878 (with flat breast and parallel top arrow feather), as studied on this page, and the usually seen Reverse of 1879. The Reverse of 1878 is several times scarcer, but in the aggregate enough exist that the premium differential is not great. The 1880-CC dollars of both reverse types tend to be “baggy,” with many contact marks. Finding a choice one will not be diffcult, as enough examples exist in the marketplace.

Surface Quality: The strike is usually quite good. On the obverse there may be some slight weakness of hair strands near the ear. The eagle’s breast is flat, per the reverse style, but the individual feathers are usually well defined. Typically with attractive frosty surfaces.

Prooflike Coins: Coins with significant prooflike surface are very rare. Note: Certification data are confused for the 1880-CC, as most have been certified without mention of the reverse style, and some have been certified as having overdate traces, while others with overdate traces omit this mention.

Mintage and Distribution: No dollars were coined from November 1, 1879, to May 1880. Each month the branch mints forwarded samples of silver and gold coins to Philadelphia for assaying, to assure that production was of the correct weight and fineness. In a shipment containing dollars from Carson City, minted in July 1880, one piece was found to be of insuffcient fineness. The superintendent at Carson City was directed not to pay out any coins from that production run, and to send further samples for testing.

Most if not all 1880-CC obverses were overdated, and some can be called 1880-CC, 80 Over 79, with traces of the 79 showing within the last two digits. These varieties were first published widely in Coin World and elsewhere in the 1960’s, which created a sensation, after which studies were done, including by Van Allen and Mallis, and various rarities sorted out. The variety with bold 79 digits under the 80 are VAM-4, 5, and 6.