1885-S $20 (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head $20 1850-1907

PCGS MS65

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PCGS MS64+

PCGS #:: 9005

Designer:: James Barton Longacre

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 34.00 millimeters

Weight:: 33.40 grams

Mintage:: 683,500

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $44,400 • MS65 • 04-13-2022 • Stack's Bowers

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (2)

Major Varieties

1885-S $20

Die Varieties

1885-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	16,500	R-2.8	45 / 73 TIE	120 / 148 TIE
60 or Better	2,625	R-4.4	43 / 73	112 / 148 TIE
65 or Better	2	R-9.9	1 / 73 TIE	2 / 148 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	16,500
60 or Better	2,625
65 or Better	2

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-2.8
60 or Better	R-4.4
65 or Better	R-9.9

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	45 / 73 TIE
60 or Better	43 / 73
65 or Better	1 / 73 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	120 / 148 TIE
60 or Better	112 / 148 TIE
65 or Better	2 / 148 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS65 PCGS grade
1	MS65 PCGS grade
3	MS64+ PCGS grade	Saddle Ridge Hoard
3	MS64+ PCGS grade
3	MS64+ PCGS grade
3	MS64+ PCGS grade
3	MS64+ PCGS grade
8	MS64 PCGS grade
8	MS64 PCGS grade
8	MS64 PCGS grade

#1 MS65 PCGS grade

#3 MS64+ PCGS grade

Saddle Ridge Hoard

#3 MS64+ PCGS grade

#8 MS64 PCGS grade

David Akers (1975/88): The 1885-S is a moderately scarce date, comparable overall to the 1879-S and 1882-S but not as rare as either in uncirculated condition. The 1885-S is almost identical in rarity to the 1888-S and it is also very similar to the 1892-S, 1893-S, 1901-S and 1905-S. This date is usually available in grades ranging from VF to average uncirculated. I have seen a few superb examples of this date, the finest being the near perfect coin that is in a prominent Dallas Bank collection.

Ron Guth:

The Saddle Ridge Hoard of gold coins, discovered in northern California in 2013, contained twenty 1885-S Double Eagles, including five Mint State examples. The finest example in the hoard was a PCGS MS64+, which now ranks as the Second Finest Known.