1863-S $5 (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head $5 1839-1908

PCGS MS61

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PCGS AU58

PCGS AU55

PCGS #:: 8295

Designer:: Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 21.65 millimeters

Weight:: 8.36 grams

Mintage:: 17,000

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $56,500 • MS61 • 01-31-2021 • David Lawrence RC

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Major Varieties

1863-S $5

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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	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	MS61 PCGS grade	Stack's/Bowers 6/2011:9489, $25,875 - Heritage 8/2015:4343, $30,550 - E&M Collection
1	MS61 PCGS grade
3	AU58 PCGS grade	Superior 5/2004:2465, $14,950 - Heritage 1/2008:3201, $18,400 - Bowers & Merena 4/2008:830, $20,700 - Heritage 4/2009:2719, $17,250
3	AU58 PCGS grade
3	AU58 PCGS grade
3	AU58 PCGS grade
7	AU55 PCGS grade
7	AU55 PCGS grade
7	AU55 PCGS grade
7	AU55 PCGS grade

#1 MS61 PCGS grade

Stack's/Bowers 6/2011:9489, $25,875 - Heritage 8/2015:4343, $30,550 - E&M Collection

#1 MS61 PCGS grade

#3 AU58 PCGS grade

Superior 5/2004:2465, $14,950 - Heritage 1/2008:3201, $18,400 - Bowers & Merena 4/2008:830, $20,700 - Heritage 4/2009:2719, $17,250

#3 AU58 PCGS grade

#7 AU55 PCGS grade

David Akers (1975/88): The 1863-S is very rare in any condition. In my experience, this date is at least as rare as the 1863 and actually more rare in high grade. It is comparable to the 1858-S and 1860-S in overall rarity and is equally impossible to obtain in choice condition. Only one specimen as high as AU has ever been sold at public auction (PCGS CoinFacts editors' note: as of 1980), and I have personally seen only one piece better than EF, a coin in the possession of Robert Johnson at the 1973 Boston ANA that was subsequently sold to Harry Bass.