1870-S $20 (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head $20 1850-1907

PCGS MS63

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PCGS MS63

PCGS #:: 8959

Designer:: James Barton Longacre

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 34.00 millimeters

Weight:: 33.40 grams

Mintage:: 982,000

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $76,375 • MS63 • 09-27-2018 • Legend Rare Coin Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (2)

Major Varieties

1870-S $20

Die Varieties

1870-S $20 Saddle Ridge Hoard

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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	4,892	R-4.0	23 / 31 TIE	90 / 148 TIE
60 or Better	125	R-7.7	19 / 31	68 / 148
65 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 31	1 / 148

Survival Estimate
All Grades	4,892
60 or Better	125
65 or Better

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-4.0
60 or Better	R-7.7
65 or Better	R-10.1

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	23 / 31 TIE
60 or Better	19 / 31
65 or Better	1 / 31

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	90 / 148 TIE
60 or Better	68 / 148
65 or Better	1 / 148

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS63 PCGS grade	Saddle Ridge Hoard - D.L. Hansen Collection
2	MS62 PCGS grade
2	MS62 PCGS grade	Saddle Ridge Hoard
2	MS62 PCGS grade	Saddle Ridge Hoard
2	MS62 PCGS grade
2	MS62 PCGS grade
2	MS62 PCGS grade
2	MS62 PCGS grade
2	MS62 PCGS grade
2	MS62 PCGS grade

#1 MS63 PCGS grade

Saddle Ridge Hoard - D.L. Hansen Collection

#2 MS62 PCGS grade

Saddle Ridge Hoard

#2 MS62 PCGS grade

Saddle Ridge Hoard

#2 MS62 PCGS grade

David Akers (1975/88): The 1870-S is a moderately scarce date in the lower grades (EF or less) and very scarce in AU. In strictly uncirculated condition it is rare and choice or gem quality examples, while known, are very rare. Overall, the 1870-S is similar in rarity to the 1869-S, 1871-S, 1872-S and 1873-S as well as such Type I S-Mint issues as the 1858-S, 1859-S and 1863-S. I have seen only a couple of choice uncs of this date and the collector looking for an 1870-S will likely have to settle for something in the VF-AU range.

Ron Guth:

The Saddle Ridge Hoard of gold coins, discovered in northern California in 2013, contained sixteen 1870-S $20s, many of which were ungradeable. However, of those that were gradeable, three came out at PCGS MS62, representing the finest grade for the date and nearly doubling the population of "Finest Known" 1870-S Double Eagles.