1856-S $5 (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head $5 1839-1908

PCGS MS62

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PCGS MS62

PCGS #:: 8270

Designer:: Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 21.65 millimeters

Weight:: 8.36 grams

Mintage:: 105,100

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $33,600 • MS62 • 04-13-2022 • Stack's Bowers

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (2)

Major Varieties

1856-S $5

Die Varieties

1856-S $5 S.S. Central America #2 (with Pinch)

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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	225	R-6.7	64 / 112 TIE	99 / 218 TIE
60 or Better	5	R-9.7	29 / 112 TIE	54 / 218 TIE
65 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 112	1 / 218

Survival Estimate
All Grades	225
60 or Better	5
65 or Better

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-6.7
60 or Better	R-9.7
65 or Better	R-10.1

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	64 / 112 TIE
60 or Better	29 / 112 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 112

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	99 / 218 TIE
60 or Better	54 / 218 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 218

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS64 PCGS grade
2	MS63 estimated grade	Heritage 2/1999:6288, $26,450
3	MS62 PCGS grade	Recovered from the wreck of the SS Central America
3	MS62 PCGS grade
3	MS62 PCGS grade
3	MS62 PCGS grade
7	MS61 PCGS grade
7	MS61 PCGS grade
9	MS60 PCGS grade
9	MS60 PCGS grade

#1 MS64 PCGS grade

#2 MS63 estimated grade

Heritage 2/1999:6288, $26,450

#3 MS62 PCGS grade

Recovered from the wreck of the SS Central America

#3 MS62 PCGS grade

#7 MS61 PCGS grade

#9 MS60 PCGS grade

David Akers (1975/88): Despite its higher mintage, the 1856-S is quite comparable to the 1855-S in overall rarity. In my 337 catalogue survey it appeared only five times more than the 1855-S. I have seen only two uncirculated specimens, and no more than three or four others better than EF. Well worn examples are the norm for this date. Varieties with large S (as on 1854-1855) and with the smaller S are both known.