1875 $5 (Proof)

Series: Liberty Head $5 1839-1907

PCGS #:: 8470

Designer:: Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 21.65 millimeters

Weight:: 8.36 grams

Mintage:: 20

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $161,000 • V CH PR • 03-01-2005 • Stack's

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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	16	R-9.3	5 / 42 TIE	20 / 60 TIE
60 or Better	14	R-9.4	5 / 42 TIE	20 / 60 TIE
65 or Better	4	R-9.8	1 / 42 TIE	6 / 60 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	16
60 or Better	14
65 or Better	4

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-9.3
60 or Better	R-9.4
65 or Better	R-9.8

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	5 / 42 TIE
60 or Better	5 / 42 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 42 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	20 / 60 TIE
60 or Better	20 / 60 TIE
65 or Better	6 / 60 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	PR65 PCGS grade
2	PR64 PCGS grade	Bowers & Merena 7/1997:369, $93,500
3	PR63 estimated grade	David Akers “Auction ‘90” 8/1990:1776, $126,500
3	PR63 estimated gradwe	Genaitis Collection - Heritage 8/2001:7849, $59,800
45	PR40 estimated grade

#1 PR65 PCGS grade

#2 PR64 PCGS grade

Bowers & Merena 7/1997:369, $93,500

#3 PR63 estimated grade

David Akers “Auction ‘90” 8/1990:1776, $126,500

#3 PR63 estimated gradwe

Genaitis Collection - Heritage 8/2001:7849, $59,800

#45 PR40 estimated grade

P. Scott Rubin: The 1875 Proof Half Eagle is one of the rarest and most desired coins in a denomination that hosts some of the rarest and most desired coins in all U.S. coinage. This coin offers the rare opportunity to acquire an extremely rare date and denomination issue in superb condition. With a mintage of only 20 Proof 1875 Half Eagles struck and only 200 circulation strikes issued with the same date, makes this coin one of the lowest mintage in all U.S. numismatics.

Because of its low mintage this has always been a much desired coin. Collectors at the time of issue saved the Proof specimens in the few gold coin collections being built in the late 1870’s where completeness was the goal. This seems to show how few Collectors at the time strived for such collections of Gold coinage and also explains why so few of the 200 circulation strikes were saved in the year of issue. The highest grade seen for a circulation strike is About Uncirculated-58.

It is believed that as many as eleven Proof Half Eagles survive of which three are in Institutional Collections. This is a high survival rate but makes sense as explained above. There also seem to be less than 10 circulation strikes known, showing just how rare the 1875 Half Eagle really is.