1908-S $5 (Regular Strike)

Series: Indian Head $5 1908-1929

PCGS MS68

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PCGS MS67

PCGS #:: 8512

Designer:: Bela Lyon Pratt

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 21.60 millimeters

Weight:: 8.36 grams

Mintage:: 82,000

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $192,000 • MS68 • 09-17-2020 • Heritage Auctions

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1908-S $5

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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	1,666	R-4.7	3 / 24	3 / 24
60 or Better	716	R-5.5	9 / 24	9 / 24
65 or Better	140	R-7.6	19 / 24 TIE	19 / 24 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	1,666
60 or Better	716
65 or Better	140

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-4.7
60 or Better	R-5.5
65 or Better	R-7.6

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	3 / 24
60 or Better	9 / 24
65 or Better	19 / 24 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	3 / 24
60 or Better	9 / 24
65 or Better	19 / 24 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS68 PCGS grade	Previously in the collection of David Akers, per Legend Numismatics - Heritage 7/2005:10366, not sold - Jim O'Neal Collection - Heritage 1/2011:5135 (as PCGS MS68 18307662), $126,500 - Simpson Collection
2	MS67 PCGS grade	Simpson Collection
2	MS67 PCGS grade
2	MS67 PCGS grade	High Desert Collection (PCGS Set Registry)
2	MS67 PCGS grade
2	MS67 PCGS grade
2	MS67 PCGS grade
2	MS67 PCGS grade
2	MS67 estimated grade
10	MS66 PCGS grade

#1 MS68 PCGS grade

Previously in the collection of David Akers, per Legend Numismatics - Heritage 7/2005:10366, not sold - Jim O'Neal Collection - Heritage 1/2011:5135 (as PCGS MS68 18307662), $126,500 - Simpson Collection

#2 MS67 PCGS grade

Simpson Collection

#2 MS67 PCGS grade

High Desert Collection (PCGS Set Registry)

#2 MS67 PCGS grade

#2 MS67 estimated grade

#10 MS66 PCGS grade

David Akers (1975/88): The 1908-S is not as rare, relatively speaking, as its low mintage would imply but it is still reasonably difficult to locate in MS-63 or better condition. There are more gems of this issue around than any of the other branch mint Indian Head half eagle and there are also a small number of really exceptional, nearly perfect specimens. The Virgil Brand hoard contained a number of gems as well as several superb pieces. In summary, this date is hard to find but not nearly as much so as many less publicized issues of the series.

The 1908-S can be one of the prettiest issues of the series. Most specimens have very good to excellent lustre and the color is typically reddish gold or coppery. There are also a number of specimens that have rich greenish gold or bright yellow gold color. The strike on a 1908-S is invariably sharp and the mintmark well defined. There are two basic surface finishes for this issue (the same is true for the 1908-S $10 and $20), satiny and "soft" frosty, the latter finish predominating by a wide margin.