1865 $5 (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head $5 1839-1908

PCGS MS61

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PCGS AU58

PCGS AU55

PCGS #:: 8298

Designer:: Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 21.65 millimeters

Weight:: 8.36 grams

Mintage:: 1,270

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $55,813 • MS61 • 12-03-2020 • Legend Rare Coin Auctions

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Major Varieties

1865 $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	35	R-8.8	7 / 112 TIE	8 / 218 TIE
60 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 112	1 / 218
65 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 112	1 / 218

Survival Estimate
All Grades	35
60 or Better
65 or Better

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-8.8
60 or Better	R-10.1
65 or Better	R-10.1

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

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	8 / 218 TIE
60 or Better	1 / 218
65 or Better	1 / 218

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS61 PCGS grade
2	AU58 PCGS grade
2	AU58 estimated grade	Edward Milas Collection - Stack's 5/1995:530 - New Orleans Collection - Heritage 4/2015:5350, $37,600
2	AU58 estimated grade	DiBello Collection - Stack's 5/1970:925 - Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, Part II - Bowers & Merena 10/1999:1152, $14,950 (cat-matched) - Soluna Collection - Heritage 1/2017:5915, $37,600
2	AU58 estimated grade
2	AU58 estimated grade
2	AU58 estimated grade
8	AU55 PCGS grade
8	AU55 PCGS grade
10	AU53 PCGS grade

#1 MS61 PCGS grade

#2 AU58 PCGS grade

#2 AU58 estimated grade

Edward Milas Collection - Stack's 5/1995:530 - New Orleans Collection - Heritage 4/2015:5350, $37,600

#2 AU58 estimated grade

DiBello Collection - Stack's 5/1970:925 - Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, Part II - Bowers & Merena 10/1999:1152, $14,950 (cat-matched) - Soluna Collection - Heritage 1/2017:5915, $37,600

#2 AU58 estimated grade

#8 AU55 PCGS grade

#10 AU53 PCGS grade

David Akers (1975/88): The 1865 has the fourth lowest mintage of any Liberty Head Half Eagle and the sixth lowest mintage in the entire $5 series. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that the 1865 is an extremely rare coin in any grade. VF and EF are the typical grades but there are a few AU coins in existence as well. At most one or two specimens are known in strictly uncirculated condition. Most, if not all, of the business strikes I have seen had proof-like or partially proof-like surfaces.