1873-S $20 Closed 3 (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head $20 1850-1907

PCGS MS63

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DATE COMPARISON

PCGS MS63

PCGS #:: 8969

Designer:: James Barton Longacre

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 34.00 millimeters

Weight:: 33.40 grams

Mintage:: 1,040,600

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $28,800 • MS63 • 08-23-2024 • Stack's Bowers

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (3)

Major Varieties

1873-S $20 Closed 3
1873-S $20 Open 3

Die Varieties

1873-S $20 Closed 3 Saddle Ridge Hoard

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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	5,375	R-3.9	27 / 31	96 / 148 TIE
60 or Better	250	R-6.6	21 / 31	75 / 148 TIE
65 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 31	1 / 148

Survival Estimate
All Grades	5,375
60 or Better	250
65 or Better

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-3.9
60 or Better	R-6.6
65 or Better	R-10.1

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	27 / 31
60 or Better	21 / 31
65 or Better	1 / 31

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	96 / 148 TIE
60 or Better	75 / 148 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 148

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS63 PCGS grade	D.L. Hansen Collection
1	MS63 PCGS grade
1	MS63 PCGS grade
4	MS62+ PCGS grade
4	MS62+ PCGS grade
4	MS62+ PCGS grade
4	MS62+ PCGS grade
8	MS62 PCGS grade	"AWA" Collection - Stack's/Bowers 8/2011:9725, $9,775
8	MS62 PCGS grade
8	MS62 PCGS grade

#1 MS63 PCGS grade

D.L. Hansen Collection

#1 MS63 PCGS grade

#4 MS62+ PCGS grade

#8 MS62 PCGS grade

"AWA" Collection - Stack's/Bowers 8/2011:9725, $9,775

#8 MS62 PCGS grade

Gordon Wrubel: San Francisco minted 1873 Twenty Liberty coins come with both Open and Closed 3s. But, unlike her Philadelphia sisters, the Closed 3 is the more common occurrence. The ratio of Closed to Open is about three to one. If you are looking at a raw coin and do not have the comparison photos above for reference, it is easy to determine whether the coin has an Open or Closed 3. The ball at the end of the lower loop of the 3 is about the same size as the opening of the 3 and may just pass through. On the Closed three the ball will not pass through the opening. As you can determine from the Condition Census above, this coin is rare graded higher than MS 62.

David Akers (1975/88):

There are two main varieties of this issue just as there are two varieties of the 1873 Philadelphia Mint issue. Both varieties are scarce but the Open 3 variety is the more rare of the two. As a date (i.e. not considering the two varieties as separate issues), the 1873-S is similar in overall rarity to the 1869-S, 1870-S 1871-S and 1872-S. However, the 1873-S is not as rare in full mint state as the four S-Mints immediately preceeding it. Nevertheless, in strictly uncirculated condition, the 1873-S is scarce and in choice or gem Unc. it is definitely rare.