1878 1C, RD (Regular Strike)

Series: Indian Cents 1859-1909

PCGS MS66+RD

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PCGS MS66+RD

PCGS #:: 2132

Designer:: James Barton Longacre

Edge:: Plain

Diameter:: 19.00 millimeters

Weight:: 3.11 grams

Mintage:: 5,797,500

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc

Auction Record:: $16,800 • MS66+RD • 04-25-2021 • Heritage Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (6)

Major Varieties

1878 1C, BN
1878 1C, RB
1878 1C, RD

Die Varieties

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Price Guide (USD)

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - NGC Graded

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Current Auctions - NGC Graded

For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - PCGS Graded

For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - NGC Graded

Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts' opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity By Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity By Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
All Grades	200	R-7.0	14 / 55 TIE	14 / 55 TIE
60 or Better	200	R-7.0	14 / 55 TIE	14 / 55 TIE
65 or Better	120	R-7.8	23 / 55 TIE	23 / 55 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	200
60 or Better	200
65 or Better	120

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-7.0
60 or Better	R-7.0
65 or Better	R-7.8

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	14 / 55 TIE
60 or Better	14 / 55 TIE
65 or Better	23 / 55 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	14 / 55 TIE
60 or Better	14 / 55 TIE
65 or Better	23 / 55 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS67RD PCGS grade
2	MS66RD PCGS grade	High Desert Collection
2	MS66RD PCGS grade	Mile High City Collection - Heritage 8/2011:7030, $7,475
2	MS66RD PCGS grade
2	MS66RD PCGS grade
2	MS66RD PCGS grade
2	MS66RD PCGS grade
2	MS66RD PCGS grade
2	MS66RD PCGS grade
2	MS66RD PCGS grade

#1 MS67RD PCGS grade

#2 MS66RD PCGS grade

High Desert Collection

Image courtesy of Heritage Numismatic Auctions

#2 MS66RD PCGS grade

Mile High City Collection -
Heritage 8/2011:7030, $7,475

#2 MS66RD PCGS grade

Jaime Hernandez:

The 1878 Indian Cent is one of the semi key dates in the series. From 1878 to 1909 it is the third lowest mintage as only the 1908-S and 1909-S have lower mintages. From 1864 to 1878 only four other coins in the series have lower mintages which are the 1870, 1871, 1872 and 1877. Although the 1898 Indian Cent has a similar mintage or sometimes lower than some of the earlier issues, it tends to command significantly lower prices than Indian Cents from the 1860's and early 1870's. Therefore it is somewhat of an underrated date.

In Uncirculated grades there are probably about 1,000 examples in existence and possibly about 200 in MS65 or higher. In MS66 condition they are scarce with about two dozen known examples. In MS67 they are very scare with no more than 5 examples known and none being finer.