1862-S $5 (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head $5 1839-1908

PCGS MS62

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PCGS MS61

PCGS AU55

PCGS #:: 8293

Designer:: Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 21.65 millimeters

Weight:: 8.36 grams

Mintage:: 9,500

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $43,700 • MS61 • 08-11-2006 • American Numismatic Rarities

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Major Varieties

1862-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	50	R-8.5	13 / 112 TIE	15 / 218 TIE
60 or Better	1	R-10.0	1 / 112 TIE	1 / 218 TIE
65 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 112	1 / 218

Survival Estimate
All Grades	50
60 or Better	1
65 or Better

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-8.5
60 or Better	R-10.0
65 or Better	R-10.1

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

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

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS62 PCGS grade
2	MS61 PCGS grade	Franklinton Collection - American Numismatic Rarities 8/2006:1454, $43,700
3	AU58 estimated grade
3	AU58 estimated grade
5	AU55 PCGS grade
5	AU55 PCGS grade
5	AU55 PCGS grade
8	AU53 PCGS grade
8	AU53 PCGS grade
8	AU53 estimated grade

#1 MS62 PCGS grade

#2 MS61 PCGS grade

Franklinton Collection - American Numismatic Rarities 8/2006:1454, $43,700

#3 AU58 estimated grade

#5 AU55 PCGS grade

#8 AU53 PCGS grade

#8 AU53 estimated grade

David Akers (1975/88): The 1862-S is one of the really great rarities of the Half Eagle series. It ranks 19th (out of 300) in rarity according to the number of appearances and is tied for 7th in rarity according to average grade. In 337 catalogues surveyed it never appeared above EF and only twice in that modest grade. I have never seen a full EF specimen and not more than ten others in Fine or VF. Overall, the 1862-S is very nearly as rare as the higher priced 1864-S. This is one of the most underrated issues in the entire series.