1880/79-CC $1 Reverse of 1878, DMPL MS(PCGS#97109)

June 2026 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

2173

Grade

MS65DMPL

Price

9,150

Lot Description

A dusting of silver and tan-gold iridescence accents a dramatic and - for the variety - rare deep mirror prooflike finish. Both sides are highly reflective in the fields and display sharply struck, thickly frosted devices. Marks are exceptionally few, and the appearance is remarkably smooth and well composed for a CC-Mint Morgan dollar, especially one with such delicate and reflective fields. First-rate quality and eye appeal.<p>The 1880-CC has a mintage of just 495,000 pieces, 131,529 examples of which were distributed through the GSA sales of 1972 to 1980. While the VAM-4, 5 and 6 overdates were well represented, the quality of the present 1880/79-CC is superior to nearly every other example known. As Wayne Miller observes in his <p><em>Morgan and Peace Dollar Textbook</em>:<p><em>The 1880-CC is elusive in prooflike and is rare in fully gem prooflike condition. Many specimens are poorly struck, probably from the defective dies. A few prooflike 1880-CC dollars are well-struck cameos, although many of these exhibit a cloudy surface. These are nearly always the round breast (Type III) reverse variety. The 1880-CC flat breast (Type II) variety is very rare in prooflike condition. The few specimens the author has seen have been of the 1880/79-CC (VAM 4) variety.</em><p>In addition to the "very rare" prooflike finish for the Reverse of 1878 hub type, this coin is also sharply struck throughout, as related above and, just as significantly, is preserved well enough to have secured a very rare (for the variety) MS-65 DMPL grade from PCGS. Tied for finest certified, in fact, this exquisite Gem would serve as a highlight in an advanced collection of Carson City Mint or DMPL Morgan dollars.