Q. David Bowers
Rarity in MS-60 to MS-62 Grades
In MS-60 through MS-62 grades the order of rarity changes somewhat from that of circulated grades. Now, the key 1934-5 emerges as the rarest variety in the list.
1923: 2,500,000 to 5,000,000. (This is the commonest
Peace dollar in these grade ranges.)
1922: 2,000,000 to 4,000,000.
1925: 650,000 to 1,000,000.
1924: 500,000 to 900,000.
1922-D: 80,000 to 140,000.
1926-S: 35,000 to 60,000.
1926: 32,500 to 65,000.
1921: 30,000 to 60,000.
1922-S: 25,000 to 50,000. (tied with 1923-D and 1923-S)
1923-D: 25,000 to 50,000. (tied with 1922-S and 1923-S)
1923-S: 25,000 to 50,000. (tied with 1922-S and 1923-D)
1935: 20,000 to 35,000.
1925-S: 15,000 to 25,000. (tied with 1934)
1934: 15,000 to 25,000. (tied with 1925-S)
1926-D: 12,000 to 20,000.
1935-S: 12,000 to 17,000.
1934-D: 11,000 to 16,000.
1924-S: 10,000 to 20,000. (tied with 1927 and 1927-S)
1927: 10,000 to 20,000. (tied with 1924-S and 1927-S)
1927-S: 10,000 to 20,000. (tied with 1924-S and 1927)
1928-S: 8,000 to 14,000.
1927-D: 5,000 to 10,000.
1928: 5,000 to 9,000.
1934-S: 2,000 to 3,000. (This is the rarest Peace dollar in these grade ranges.)
Rarity in MS-63 Grade
At the MS-63 grade level, most Peace dollars be-come quite scarce, at least in comparison to the hun-dreds of thousands of collectors who enjoy the series. Once again, the 1922, 1923, 1924, and 1925 are the most plentiful dates, but after that point the availability falls precipitously, and certain varieties become elusive.
1922: 300,000 to 600,000. (This is the commonest Peace dollar in MS-63 grade.)
1923: 300,000 to 500,000.
1925: 200,000 to 350,000.
1924: 150,000 to 250,000.
1926: 15,000 to 30,000.
1922-D: 15,000 to 25,000.
1926-S: 12,000 to 20,000.
1921: 10,000 to 20,000.
1935: 10,000 to 18,000.
1934: 7,000 to 16,000.
1923-S: 6,500 to 13,000.
1922-S: 6,000 to 12,000.
1935-S: 6,000 to 10,000.
1923-D: 5,000 to 10,000. (tied with 1925-S)
1925-S: 5,000 to 10,000. (tied with 1923-D)
1934-D: 5,000 to 9,000.
1926-D: 5,000 to 8,000.
1927-S: 4,500 to 8,000.
1928-S: 4,000 to 8,000.
1928: 3,500 to 6,500.
1924-S: 3,000 to 5,000. (tied with 1927)
1927: 3,000 to 5,000. (tied with 1924-S)
1927-D: 2,500 to 4,500.
1934-S: 1,600 to 3,200. (This is the rarest Peace dollar in MS-63 grade.)
Rarity in MS-64 Grade
Among MS-64 dollars the four high-mintage Philadelphia dates of 1922 through 1925 exist in large quantities and, as such, are ideal for type sets or for the casual ownership of a "nice Peace dollar." The availability then lessens sharply with 1926, 1922-D, and a string of other varieties, down to the bottom of the list, where several issues are sufficiently elusive that even leading dealers are apt to be out of stock from time to time.
1923: 60,000 to 120,000. (This is the commonest Peace dollar in MS-64 grade.)
1925: 40,000 to 65,000.
1922: 30,000 to 60,000.
1924: 20,000 to 40,000.
1926: 7,000 to 14,000.
1922-D: 6,000 to 12,000.
1935: 5,000 to 10,000.
1934: 4,500 to 7,500.
1935-S: 4,000 to 6,500.
1926-S: 4,000 to 5,000.
1921: 3,000 to 6,000.
1923-D: 2,500 to 5,000. (tied with 1926-D)
1926-D: 2,500 to 5,000. (tied with 1923-D)
1934-D: 2,500 to 4,000.
1925-S: 2,000 to 4,000.
1922-S: 2,000 to 3,000. (tied with several issues)
1923-S: 2,000 to 3,000. (tied with several issues)
1927-S: 2,000 to 3,000. (tied with several issues)
1928-S: 2,000 to 3,000. (tied with several issues)
1927: 1,750 to 2,500.
1928: 1,600 to 2,750.
1924-S: 1,500 to 2,500.
1927-D: 1,400 to 2,300.
1934-S: 800 to 1,500. (This is the rarest Peace dollar in MS- 64 grade.)
Rarity in MS-65 or Better Grade
In the MS-65 and higher category we are confronted with some really rare issues, especially among the bottom 12 of the 24 coins on the list. Some are sufficiently elusive that a matter of months may elapse between purchase opportunities. And if you demand sharp striking with your MS-65, well, forget it for certain issues.
1923: 30,000 to 50,000. (This is the commonest Peace dollar in MS-65 grade.)
1925: 20,000 to 35,000.
1922: 10,000 to 20,000.
1924: 7,500 to 15,000.
1922-D: 2,500 to 4,500. (tied with 1926)
1926: 2,500 to 4,500. (tied with 1922-D)
1926-D: 1,500 to 2,500.
1935-S: 1,250 to 2,000.
1935: 1,200 to 1,900.
1921: 1,000 to 2,000. (tied with 1926-5)
1926-S: 1,000 to 2,000. (tied with 1921)
1934: 600 to 1,000.
1923-D: 500 to 1,000.
1934-D: 500 to 800.
1922-S: 400 to 800.
1928: 300 to 600. (tied with 1934-S)
1934-S: 300 to 600. (tied with 1928)
1927: 300 to 500.
1923-S: 200 to 400.
1927-D: 200 to 300.
1924-S: 150 to 300.
1927-S: 150 to 250.
1925-S: 125 to 225.
1928-S: 125 to 200. (This is the rarest Peace dollar in MS-65 grade.)