1865 $5

1866-S $5 No Motto

1865-S $5 (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head $5 1839-1908

PCGS MS64

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PCGS MS62

PCGS AU58

PCGS #:: 8299

Designer:: Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 21.65 millimeters

Weight:: 8.36 grams

Mintage:: 27,612

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $48,300 • MS64 • 05-01-1999 • Bowers & Merena

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (1)

Major Varieties

1865-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	80	R-8.2	25 / 112 TIE	34 / 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	80
60 or Better	2
65 or Better

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-8.2
60 or Better	R-9.9
65 or Better	R-10.1

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	25 / 112 TIE
60 or Better	7 / 112 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 112

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	34 / 218 TIE
60 or Better	13 / 218 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 218

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS64 PCGS grade	Recovered from the wreck of the S.S. Brother Jonathan - Bowers & Merena 5/1999:45, $48,300 - Bowers & Merena 8/2001:377, $40,250 - American Numismatic Rarities 1/2004:480, $43,700
2	MS62 PCGS grade
2	AU58 estimated grade
2	AU58 PCGS grade
2	AU58 estimated grade	Heritage 1/2007:5899, $12,650
2	AU58 estimated grade	Goldbergs 5/2009:1287, $12,363
2	AU58 estimated grade
2	AU58 estimated grade
9	AU55 PCGS grade	Srotag Collection (PCGS Set Registry)
9	AU55 PCGS grade

#1 MS64 PCGS grade

Recovered from the wreck of the S.S. Brother Jonathan - Bowers & Merena 5/1999:45, $48,300 - Bowers & Merena 8/2001:377, $40,250 - American Numismatic Rarities 1/2004:480, $43,700

#2 MS62 PCGS grade

#2 AU58 estimated grade

#2 AU58 PCGS grade

#2 AU58 estimated grade

Heritage 1/2007:5899, $12,650

#2 AU58 estimated grade

Goldbergs 5/2009:1287, $12,363

#2 AU58 estimated grade

#9 AU55 PCGS grade

Srotag Collection (PCGS Set Registry)

#9 AU55 PCGS grade

David Akers (1975/88): Although the mintage of the 1865-S is quite a bit higher than the mintages of the S Mint Half Eagles from 1858 to 1864, it compares in overall rarity to the 1858-S, 1860-S and 1863-S and is only slightly less rare than the others. Almost all known examples of this date are well worn with VF and lower being all one can expect to find. The 1865-S ranks second in the entire $5 series according to average grade and I do not know of a specimen that would grade better than EF. The very few specimens that I have seen were rather softly struck and the mintmark was always quite weak.

David Hall:

The lone "miracle" MS64 specimen was recovered from the Brother Jonatan shipwreck and sold at auction by Bowers and Merena in May, 1999 for $48,300.