1859-S $5 (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head $5 1839-1908

PCGS MS63

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PCGS MS61

PCGS AU58

PCGS #:: 8283

Designer:: Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 21.65 millimeters

Weight:: 8.36 grams

Mintage:: 13,220

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $144,000 • MS63 • 04-13-2022 • Stack's Bowers

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Major Varieties

1859-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	55	R-8.4	18 / 112 TIE	21 / 218 TIE
60 or Better	2	R-9.9	7 / 112 TIE	13 / 218 TIE
65 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 112	1 / 218

Survival Estimate
All Grades	55
60 or Better	2
65 or Better

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-8.4
60 or Better	R-9.9
65 or Better	R-10.1

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	18 / 112 TIE
60 or Better	7 / 112 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 112

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	21 / 218 TIE
60 or Better	13 / 218 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 218

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS62 PCGS grade	Milas Collection - Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 10/1999:1118, $29,900
1	MS62 PCGS grade
3	MS61 PCGS grade
4	AU58 PCGS grade
4	AU58 PCGS grade
4	AU58 PCGS grade
4	AU58 estimated grade
4	AU58 estimated grade
9	AU55 PCGS grade
9	AU55 PCGS grade

#1 MS62 PCGS grade

Milas Collection - Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 10/1999:1118, $29,900

#1 MS62 PCGS grade

#3 MS61 PCGS grade

#4 AU58 PCGS grade

#4 AU58 estimated grade

#9 AU55 PCGS grade

David Akers (1975/88): It may come as a surprise to some that the 1859-S ranks in the top 10% of the entire $5 series in rarity according to number of appearances at auction. In my 337 catalogue survey, this grossly underrated date appeared only 23 times. I have seen very few specimens of this date, none better than EF and only two or three at that level.