1879-S $20 (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head $20 1850-1907

PCGS MS64

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PCGS MS63

PCGS #:: 8991

Designer:: James Barton Longacre

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 34.00 millimeters

Weight:: 33.40 grams

Mintage:: 1,233,800

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $63,250 • MS64 • 09-27-2007 • Heritage Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (3)

Major Varieties

1879-S $20
1879-S $20, PL

Die Varieties

1879-S $20 Saddle Ridge Hoard

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Price Guide (USD)

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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	6,225	R-3.7	32 / 73 TIE	101 / 148 TIE
60 or Better	400	R-6.2	21 / 73	82 / 148
65 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 73	1 / 148

Survival Estimate
All Grades	6,225
60 or Better	400
65 or Better

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-3.7
60 or Better	R-6.2
65 or Better	R-10.1

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	32 / 73 TIE
60 or Better	21 / 73
65 or Better	1 / 73

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	101 / 148 TIE
60 or Better	82 / 148
65 or Better	1 / 148

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS64 PCGS grade
1	MS64 PCGS grade	Coinhunter 1/2007:309 - Heritage 9/28/2007:3851, not sold
3	MS63 PCGS grade	Saddle Ridge Hoard
3	MS63 PCGS grade
3	MS63 PCGS grade
3	MS63 PCGS grade
7	MS62 PCGS grade
7	MS62 PCGS grade
7	MS62 PCGS grade
7	MS62 PCGS grade

#1 MS64 PCGS grade

Coinhunter 1/2007:309 - Heritage 9/28/2007:3851, not sold

#3 MS63 PCGS grade

Saddle Ridge Hoard

#3 MS63 PCGS grade

#7 MS62 PCGS grade

David Akers (1975/88): The 1879-S is more rare than the 1877-S or 1878-S and it is also rarer than the 1874-S, 1875-S and 1876-S. Although it is generally regarded as a common date, the auction data correctly show that the 1879-S is really not common at all, particularly in high grade. In low circulated grades, i.e. VF or EF, the 1879-S is only moderately scarce and it can usually be located without much difficulty. However, in AU the 1879-S is scarce and in average uncirculated condition it is very scarce. Choice and gem mint state examples are known but are rare, especially gems which are virtually impossible to obtain.

Ron Guth:

The Saddle Ridge Hoard of gold coins, discovered in northern California in 2013, contained forty-three 1879-S Double Eagles. Two were ungradeable, four were Mint State, and one was tied for Second Finest known.