1876 $10 VF25 Certification #42761254, PCGS #8674

CoinFacts Details

Expert Comments

Charles Morgan

1876 Liberty Head Eagle

Demand for $10 gold eagles remained low on the East Coast in 1876, leading the Philadelphia Mint to strike a mere 468 business-strike examples. While this mintage is paltry, it is not the lowest of the series—that distinction belongs to the 1875 Liberty Head Eagle (#8672). Interestingly, the 1876 Philadelphia issue is roughly as rare today as the 1876-CC (#8675), despite the Carson City Mint having struck nearly seven times as many coins (4,696). Meanwhile, the San Francisco Mint produced 5,000 pieces. During this period, Mint resources were clearly prioritized toward the production of Liberty Head Double Eagles ($20 gold).

Survival and PCGS Population Data

Current estimates suggest a total surviving population of about 40 specimens, with only one example in Mint State. Regarding this coin, former PCGS grader Ron Howard once opined: "Although 'only' an MS60, this coin is nonetheless wondrous because of its rarity and originality. Seemingly plucked from a group of common-date Liberty Head Eagles, this fully lustrous example is evenly bagmarked, fully struck, and curiously attractive. A remarkable piece!"

Technical Diagnostics

Authentic business-strike examples of the 1876 eagle are identified by specific die characteristics. A primary diagnostic is the presence of fine die lines located below the LI in LIBERTY on the diadem.

Vintage Market Snippet

Speaking to the rarity of the issue, in 1909, legendary coin dealer Captain John W. Haseltine erroneously claimed that the 1876 Liberty Head Eagle was unique.

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PCGS #

8674

Designer

Christian Gobrecht

Edge

Reeded

Diameter

26.80 millimeters

Weight

16.70 grams

Mintage

687

Metal

90% Gold, 10% Copper

Pop Higher

Pop Lower

Region

The United States of America

Price Guide

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - 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.
65 or Better	42	R-8.6	4 / 117	8 / 183 TIE
All Grades	0	R-10.1	1 / 117	1 / 183
60 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 117	1 / 183

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.
65 or Better	42
All Grades	0
60 or Better	0

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.
65 or Better	R-8.6
All Grades	R-10.1
60 or Better	R-10.1

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.
65 or Better	4 / 117
All Grades	1 / 117
60 or Better	1 / 117

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.
65 or Better	8 / 183 TIE
All Grades	1 / 183
60 or Better	1 / 183

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	PCGS MS60	"The David Hall Collection"; "The Bob R. Simpson Collection." Previously graded NGC MS61PL.
2	PCGS AU58	As NGC AU55 #313041-009. “Donald E. Bentley Collection,” Heritage Auctions, April 24, 2014, Lot 5774 – $41,125. As PCGS AU58 #30822873. Heritage Auctions, January 7, 2015, Lot 4341 – $70,500; Legend Rare Coin Auctions, September 3, 2015, Lot 322 – $61,687.50; Heritage Auctions, June 9, 2016, Lot 4817 – $52,875. Three hits to the left of 1. Three ticks to the left of the neck. Long scratch running slightly diagonal across bust truncation. Wedge-shaped scratch from the corner of the mouth. There is a deep scratch to the left of Liberty’s nose. Dark spotting along TEN D. and the interpunct on the reverse. Light staining at the F of OF to the eagle’s wing.
2	PCGS AU58	As PCGS AU58 #35096515. Heritage Auctions, January 9, 2020, Lot 4472 – $37,200. As PCGS AU58 #39547531. “The PNW Collection of Liberty Gold Eagles,” GreatCollections, March 12, 2023, Lot 1298840 – $59,062.50; GreatCollections, June 16, 2024, Lot 1532753 - $37,211.63. A cluster of hits between stars 11 and 12. Long diagonal scratch along the profile of Liberty’s nose and forehead. Intersecting scratches to the left of the bust truncation.
2	PCGS AU58	American Numismatic Rarities, October 11, 2004, Lot 833 - $24,000. Top pop, pop one when offered; “The Donald E. Bently Collection,” Heritage Auctions, January 9, 2014, Lot 5495 – $70,500; Heritage Auctions, August 15, 2023, Lot 3235 – $39,600. Small gouge to the left of 1. There is a cluster of small ticks to the right of the space between stars 4 and 5. Diagonal cut to the left of star 11. There is a cluster of hits in the right obverse field. There is a tiny tick to the left of the tip of the coronet—three ticks above the eagle’s head.
5	PCGS AU55	Heritage Auctions, April 27, 2017 Lot 4294 - $28,200; Dell Loy Hansen; "D.L. Hansen $10 Gold (1838-1907) Collection" (PCGS Set Registry).

#1 PCGS MS60

"The David Hall Collection"; "The Bob R. Simpson Collection." Previously graded NGC MS61PL.

#2 PCGS AU58

As NGC AU55 #313041-009. “Donald E. Bentley Collection,” Heritage Auctions, April 24, 2014, Lot 5774 – $41,125. As PCGS AU58 #30822873. Heritage Auctions, January 7, 2015, Lot 4341 – $70,500; Legend Rare Coin Auctions, September 3, 2015, Lot 322 – $61,687.50; Heritage Auctions, June 9, 2016, Lot 4817 – $52,875. Three hits to the left of 1. Three ticks to the left of the neck. Long scratch running slightly diagonal across bust truncation. Wedge-shaped scratch from the corner of the mouth. There is a deep scratch to the left of Liberty’s nose. Dark spotting along TEN D. and the interpunct on the reverse. Light staining at the F of OF to the eagle’s wing.

#2 PCGS AU58

As PCGS AU58 #35096515. Heritage Auctions, January 9, 2020, Lot 4472 – $37,200. As PCGS AU58 #39547531. “The PNW Collection of Liberty Gold Eagles,” GreatCollections, March 12, 2023, Lot 1298840 – $59,062.50; GreatCollections, June 16, 2024, Lot 1532753 - $37,211.63. A cluster of hits between stars 11 and 12. Long diagonal scratch along the profile of Liberty’s nose and forehead. Intersecting scratches to the left of the bust truncation.

#2 PCGS AU58

American Numismatic Rarities, October 11, 2004, Lot 833 - $24,000. Top pop, pop one when offered; “The Donald E. Bently Collection,” Heritage Auctions, January 9, 2014, Lot 5495 – $70,500; Heritage Auctions, August 15, 2023, Lot 3235 – $39,600. Small gouge to the left of 1. There is a cluster of small ticks to the right of the space between stars 4 and 5. Diagonal cut to the left of star 11. There is a cluster of hits in the right obverse field. There is a tiny tick to the left of the tip of the coronet—three ticks above the eagle’s head.

#5 PCGS AU55

Heritage Auctions, April 27, 2017 Lot 4294 - $28,200; Dell Loy Hansen; "D.L. Hansen $10 Gold (1838-1907) Collection" (PCGS Set Registry).