1873 $20 Open 3 (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head $20 1850-1907

PCGS MS65+

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DATE COMPARISON

PCGS MS64

PCGS #:: 8967

Designer:: James Barton Longacre

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 34.00 millimeters

Weight:: 33.40 grams

Mintage:: 1,709,800

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $112,125 • MS65 • 01-05-2011 • Heritage Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (4)

Major Varieties

Die Varieties

1873 $20 Open 3, DDO, FS-101

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Price Guide (USD)

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - NGC Graded

Current Auctions - PCGS Graded

Current Auctions - NGC Graded

For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - PCGS Graded

For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - NGC Graded

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	12,500	R-2.9	30 / 31 TIE	113 / 148 TIE
60 or Better	3,000	R-4.4	30 / 31	112 / 148 TIE
65 or Better	2	R-9.9	1 / 31 TIE	2 / 148 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	12,500
60 or Better	3,000
65 or Better	2

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-2.9
60 or Better	R-4.4
65 or Better	R-9.9

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	30 / 31 TIE
60 or Better	30 / 31
65 or Better	1 / 31 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	113 / 148 TIE
60 or Better	112 / 148 TIE
65 or Better	2 / 148 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS65+ PCGS grade	D.L. Hansen Collection
2	MS64+ estimated grade	Heritage 1/2011:5264, $112,125
2	MS64 PCGS grade	Stack's/Bowers 8/2012:11773, $35,250 - Warsaw Collection - Heritage 8/2013:5916, $41,125
2	MS64 PCGS grade
2	MS64 PCGS grade
2	MS64 PCGS grade
2	MS64 PCGS grade
2	MS64 PCGS grade
2	MS64 PCGS grade
10	MS64 PCGS grade

#1 MS65+ PCGS grade

D.L. Hansen Collection

#2 MS64+ estimated grade

Heritage 1/2011:5264, $112,125

#2 MS64 PCGS grade

Stack's/Bowers 8/2012:11773, $35,250 - Warsaw Collection - Heritage 8/2013:5916, $41,125

#2 MS64 PCGS grade

#10 MS64 PCGS grade

Gordon Wrubel: Liberty $20. gold pieces of 1873 were minted with both "Open 3" and "Closed 3". For the Philadelphia Mint issues the Open 3 is common and the Closed 3 is scarce. But how can one tell the difference? Look at the larger ball at the lower curve of the 3. The diameter of the ball is about the same size as the opening and would just pass through it. On the closed 3, the lower ball would not pass through the constricted opening. As a group, Type II Liberty $20s(1866-1876) are rather hard to find in Mint condition. But if you are for looking for that special coin for your type set, the condition census above shows that the 1873, Open 3 is one of your most likely candidates.

David Akers (1975/88):

The 1873 Open 3 is the most common Type II Double Eagle and the commonest date of this denomination prior to the mid-1890'S. It is readily available in all grades from VF to choice uncirculated and a large number of mint state pieces are known. Because of their size and weight and the way they were stored and handled over the years, almost all Double Eagles have a fair number of bagmarks and, for this reason, gem quality (65 or better) examples of this issue are very scarce.