1872 $20 (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head $20 1850-1907

PCGS MS63

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PCGS MS63

PCGS #:: 8963

Designer:: James Barton Longacre

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 34.00 millimeters

Weight:: 33.40 grams

Mintage:: 251,850

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $69,000 • MS64 • 08-09-2007 • Heritage Auctions

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1872 $20

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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	4,100	R-4.1	22 / 31	89 / 148
60 or Better	100	R-8.0	18 / 31	66 / 148
65 or Better	N/A		1 / 31	1 / 148

Survival Estimate
All Grades	4,100
60 or Better	100
65 or Better	N/A

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-4.1
60 or Better	R-8.0
65 or Better

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	22 / 31
60 or Better	18 / 31
65 or Better	1 / 31

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	89 / 148
60 or Better	66 / 148
65 or Better	1 / 148

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS63 PCGS grade	Plate coin in U.S. Liberty Head $20 Double Eagles -- The Gilded Age of Coinage, page 193 Heritage 8/2001:8025 - National Coin, sold privately in 11/2001 - David Wnuck - Gilded Age Collection (Robert J. Galiette) - Stack's/Bowers 8/2014:12045, $28,200 - Heritage 1/2015:4381, $28,200 - Stack's/Bowers & Sotheby's 2/2016:236, $21,150
1	MS63 PCGS grade	"AWA" Collection - D.L. Hansen Collection
1	MS63 PCGS grade
1	MS63 estimated grade
5	MS62 PCGS grade
5	MS62 PCGS grade
5	MS62 PCGS grade
5	MS62 PCGS grade
5	MS62 PCGS grade
5	MS62 PCGS grade

#1 MS63 PCGS grade

Plate coin in U.S. Liberty Head $20 Double Eagles -- The Gilded Age of Coinage, page 193

Heritage 8/2001:8025 - National Coin, sold privately in 11/2001 - David Wnuck - Gilded Age Collection (Robert J. Galiette) - Stack's/Bowers 8/2014:12045, $28,200 - Heritage 1/2015:4381, $28,200 - Stack's/Bowers & Sotheby's 2/2016:236, $21,150

#1 MS63 PCGS grade

"AWA" Collection - D.L. Hansen Collection

#1 MS63 PCGS grade

#1 MS63 estimated grade

#5 MS62 PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

In July 2006, American Numismatic Rarities offered a cancelled obverse die from an 1872-dated Double Eagle, speculating that it may have come from the Carson City Mint because of a "C" stamped on the shank. Two other Liberty Head $20 obverse dies have appeared on the market:

1877, attributed to the Carson City Mint, sold in 2002 for $23,000

1882, attributed to the San Francisco Mint, sold in 2001 for $20,700

David Akers (1975/88): The 1872 is a moderately scarce date but it is much more obtainable in uncirculated condition than most Type I or Type II P-Mint Double Eagles. Overall, it is simialr in rarity to the 1865 and 1866 but it is not nearly as rare as either in mint state. The 1872 is not as rare in any grade as the 1868-1871 P-Mint issues but it is considerably rarer than the "hoard" date 1867. The 1872 is available in a wide range of grades from VF through average uncirculated. Only in choice uncirculated condition can the 1872 be considered rare and, of course, in gem 65 or better condition, it is very rare.