1919-S 5C (Regular Strike)

Series: Buffalo Five Cents 1913-1938

PCGS MS66

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PCGS MS66

PCGS #:: 3943

Designer:: James Earle Fraser

Edge:: Plain

Diameter:: 21.20 millimeters

Weight:: 5.00 grams

Mintage:: 7,521,000

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel

Auction Record:: $109,250 • MS66 • 10-24-2006 • Heritage Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (2)

Major Varieties

1919-S 5C

Die Varieties

1919-S 5C 2 Feathers, FS-401

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Price Guide (USD)

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - NGC Graded

Current Auctions - PCGS Graded

Current Auctions - NGC Graded

For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - PCGS Graded

For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - NGC Graded

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	5,000	R-4.0	9 / 69 TIE	9 / 72 TIE
60 or Better	800	R-5.4	10 / 69 TIE	10 / 72 TIE
65 or Better	60	R-8.4	8 / 69 TIE	8 / 72 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	5,000
60 or Better	800
65 or Better	60

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-4.0
60 or Better	R-5.4
65 or Better	R-8.4

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	9 / 69 TIE
60 or Better	10 / 69 TIE
65 or Better	8 / 69 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	9 / 72 TIE
60 or Better	10 / 72 TIE
65 or Better	8 / 72 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS66 PCGS grade	Heritage 10/2006:528, $109,250 - Joseph C. Thomas Collection - Heritage 4/2009:2140, $100,625 - Stack's/Bowers 1/2013:13140, $89,300 - “Gately” Collection (PCGS Set Registry)
1	MS66 PCGS grade	Stack's/Bowers 11/2016:2038, $82,250
1	MS66 PCGS grade	Gerald R Forsythe Collection
4	MS65+ PCGS grade
4	MS65+ PCGS grade
6	MS65 PCGS grade
6	MS65 PCGS grade
6	MS65 PCGS grade
6	MS65 PCGS grade
6	MS65 PCGS grade

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

Heritage 10/2006:528, $109,250 - Joseph C. Thomas Collection - Heritage 4/2009:2140, $100,625 - Stack's/Bowers 1/2013:13140, $89,300 - “Gately” Collection (PCGS Set Registry)

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

Stack's/Bowers 11/2016:2038, $82,250

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

Gerald R Forsythe Collection

#4 MS65+ PCGS grade

#6 MS65 PCGS grade

David Hall:

The 1919-S is scarce in circulated grades, rare in Mint State, and a major rarity in Gem condition. Most of the killer rarities in the Buffalo nickel series are the 1918 thru 1927 San Francisco issues. They are all extremely rare in Gem MS65 condition and almost impossiblke to find any better. For the 1919-S, only a few dozen Gems are known. Strike can often be a problem, as can a lack of decent luster. In Gem condition, the 1919-S is one of the key dates in the series.