1842 $5 Large Letters (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head $5 1839-1908

PCGS MS64

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PCGS AU55

PCGS #:: 8206

Designer:: Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 21.65 millimeters

Weight:: 8.36 grams

Mintage:: 27,578

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $17,600 • MS63 • 10-01-1997 • David Akers

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (2)

Major Varieties

1842 $5 Large Letters
1842 $5 Small Letters

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For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - PCGS Graded

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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	47	R-8.5	13 / 112 TIE	15 / 218 TIE
60 or Better	3	R-9.8	18 / 112 TIE	31 / 218 TIE
65 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 112	1 / 218

Survival Estimate
All Grades	47
60 or Better	3
65 or Better

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-8.5
60 or Better	R-9.8
65 or Better	R-10.1

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	13 / 112 TIE
60 or Better	18 / 112 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 112

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	15 / 218 TIE
60 or Better	31 / 218 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 218

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Image	Pedigree and History
1	MS64 PCGS grade
2	MS63 PCGS grade
3	MS61 PCGS grade
4	AU58 PCGS grade
5	AU53 PCGS grade
5	AU53 PCGS grade
5	AU53 PCGS grade
5	AU53 estimated grade
5	AU53 estimated grade
5	AU53 estimated grade

#1 MS64 PCGS grade

#2 MS63 PCGS grade

#3 MS61 PCGS grade

#4 AU58 PCGS grade

#5 AU53 PCGS grade

#5 AU53 estimated grade

Gordon Wrubel: As you can see by the great photos above, there are obvious differences between the Large Letter (LL) and Small Letter (SL) reverses of the 1842 $5. The puncheons on the LL are tall and about twice the size of the SL. They are crowded, almost touching at their bases. The tops of the letters are CLOSE to the rim. The SL reverse puncheons are squared, about as wide as they are tall. The letters are widely spaced and AWAY from the rim.

David Akers (1975/88): For years the 1842 Large Letters has been claimed to be more common than the 1842 Small Letters. However, as the auction records clearly show, this is not the case. The Large Letters variety appears at auction only half as often as the Small Letters variety. In fact, the 1842 large Letters has fewer auction appearances than any other Philadelphia Mint Liberty Head Half Eagle except the 1875. It is an extremely rare coin.