1880 $20

1881 $20

1880-S $20 (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head $20 1850-1907

PCGS MS65+

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PCGS MS64

PCGS #:: 8993

Designer:: James Barton Longacre

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 34.00 millimeters

Weight:: 33.40 grams

Mintage:: 836,000

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $132,000 • MS65+ • 08-18-2024 • Heritage Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (3)

Major Varieties

1880-S $20
1880-S $20, PL

Die Varieties

1880-S $20 Saddle Ridge Hoard

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Price Guide (USD)

PCGS Population

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For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - PCGS Graded

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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	5,125	R-3.9	29 / 73 TIE	96 / 148 TIE
60 or Better	300	R-6.4	19 / 73	77 / 148
65 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 73	1 / 148

Survival Estimate
All Grades	5,125
60 or Better	300
65 or Better

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-3.9
60 or Better	R-6.4
65 or Better	R-10.1

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	29 / 73 TIE
60 or Better	19 / 73
65 or Better	1 / 73

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	96 / 148 TIE
60 or Better	77 / 148
65 or Better	1 / 148

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS65 PCGS grade
2	MS65 estimated grade
3	MS64 PCGS grade	AWA Collection - D.L. Hansen Collection
3	MS64 PCGS grade	Discovered in Paris and certified by PCGS in 6/2016
3	MS64 PCGS grade	Saddle Ridge Hoard
3	MS64 PCGS grade
3	MS64 estimated grade
8	MS63 PCGS grade	Heritage 3/2013:4413, $42,593.75
8	MS63 PCGS grade
8	MS63 PCGS grade

#1 MS65 PCGS grade

#2 MS65 estimated grade

#3 MS64 PCGS grade

AWA Collection - D.L. Hansen Collection

#3 MS64 PCGS grade

Discovered in Paris and certified by PCGS in 6/2016

#3 MS64 PCGS grade

Saddle Ridge Hoard

#3 MS64 PCGS grade

#3 MS64 estimated grade

#8 MS63 PCGS grade

Heritage 3/2013:4413, $42,593.75

#8 MS63 PCGS grade

David Akers (1975/88): Here is a real "sleeper" date that, until now, few people have appreciated. It is widely considered to be a common date and, in truth, it is only moderately scarce in circulated grades. However, in strictly uncirculated condition it is definitely rare, much rarer, in fact, than many more highly touted dates in the series. Compared to the 1880-S, for example, all of the late CC-Mint issues except the 1891-CC are downright common in Unc. Hundreds of 1893-CC's exist in Unc., including many gems, but if there is a gem 1880-S in existence, I am unaware of it. In AU, the 1880-S is very scarce and even average quality uncirculated examples are rare. Choice mint state pieces are very rare; I have seen only a few at that level and, as I mentioned, no gems at all.

Ron Guth:

The Saddle Ridge Hoard of gold coins, discovered in northern California in 2013, contained forty-one 1880-S $20s, including six ungradeable examples, ten Mint State examples, and one PCGS MS64 (which tied for Second Finest Known with an already existing PCGS MS64).