1859 $5 (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head $5 1839-1908

PCGS MS64+

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PCGS MS63

PCGS MS62

PCGS #:: 8280

Designer:: Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 21.65 millimeters

Weight:: 8.36 grams

Mintage:: 16,734

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $30,000 • MS63 • 01-19-2025 • Heritage Auctions

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1859 $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	75	R-8.2	25 / 112 TIE	34 / 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	75
60 or Better	3
65 or Better

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-8.2
60 or Better	R-9.8
65 or Better	R-10.1

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	25 / 112 TIE
60 or Better	18 / 112 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 112

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	34 / 218 TIE
60 or Better	31 / 218 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 218

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS64+ PCGS grade	Dempsey & Baxter, a newly discovered Finest Known example, sold on the Coin Dealers Helping Coin Dealers website on 8/3/2018 for $50,000 - Numismatic Financial Corporation, Inc., sold privately in 8/2018 - D.L. Hansen Collection
2	MS62 PCGS grade	Bowers & Merena 10/1999:1111, $6,037 - Heritage 6/2006:3335, $7,475 - Heritage 5/2007:3633, $7,188
2	MS62 PCGS grade
2	MS62 estimated grade	Heritage 2/2003:8232, $9,200 - Heritage 5/2005:8638, $8,912.50 - Heritage 6/5/2014:4832
5	AU58 estimated grade	Ed Milas Collection - Stack's 5/1995:514, $17,600 - New Orleans Collection - Heritage 4/2015:6217, $21,150
5	AU58 PCGS grade
5	AU58 PCGS grade
5	AU58 PCGS grade
5	AU58 PCGS grade
5	AU58 PCGS grade

#1 MS64+ PCGS grade

Dempsey & Baxter, a newly discovered Finest Known example, sold on the Coin Dealers Helping Coin Dealers website on 8/3/2018 for $50,000 - Numismatic Financial Corporation, Inc., sold privately in 8/2018 - D.L. Hansen Collection

#2 MS62 PCGS grade

Bowers & Merena 10/1999:1111, $6,037 - Heritage 6/2006:3335, $7,475 - Heritage 5/2007:3633, $7,188

#2 MS62 PCGS grade

#2 MS62 estimated grade

Heritage 2/2003:8232, $9,200 - Heritage 5/2005:8638, $8,912.50 - Heritage 6/5/2014:4832

#5 AU58 estimated grade

Ed Milas Collection - Stack's 5/1995:514, $17,600 - New Orleans Collection - Heritage 4/2015:6217, $21,150

#5 AU58 PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

The 1859 Half Eagle is a rare, low-mintage date. Akers claimed to have known of a Gem example, but nothing even remotely close has shown up since he wrote decades ago. The finest certified example is a Prooflike NGC MS63. The best of the rest rank only MS62 and the PCGS Condition Census dips into the AU58 range. This is a true condition-rarity that will pose a considerable challenge for the quality-minded collector.

David Akers (1975/88): The 1859 is more rare than the 1858 or any of the other Philadelphia Mint Half Eagles from 1843 to 1857 with the possible exception of the underrated 1850. Most known specimens are well worn with VF or EF being typical. A few uncirculated specimens exist but they are extremely rare. I do know, however, of at least one of gem quality.