1834 $5 Classic Head, Plain 4 AU53 Certification #34187354, PCGS #8171

CoinFacts Details

Expert Comments

David Akers (1975/88)

By 1834, the price of gold had risen to the point where the value of gold in a Half Eagle exceeded the face value. As a result, in 1834 the specifications were changed and the size reduced. William Kneass created this new Classic Head design but it lasted for only five years. The 1834 No Motto, Plain 4 is by far the commonest Half Eagle to this point. It is available in all grades up to and including choice uncirculated. The head of Miss Liberty comes in two different sizes, but the differences are relatively minor. Most specimens I have seen show some weakness in the hair curls around Liberty's face.

PCGS #

8171

Designer

William Kneass

Edge

Reeded

Diameter

22.50 millimeters

Weight

8.36 grams

Mintage

657460

Metal

89.9% Gold, 10.1% Copper

Pop Higher

538

Pop Lower

1173

Region

The United States of America

Price Guide

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - 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.
65 or Better	1750	R-4.7	8 / 8	8 / 8
All Grades	300	R-6.4	8 / 8	8 / 8
60 or Better	7	R-9.6	4 / 8 TIE	4 / 8 TIE

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.
65 or Better	1750
All Grades	300
60 or Better	7

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.
65 or Better	R-4.7
All Grades	R-6.4
60 or Better	R-9.6

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.
65 or Better	8 / 8
All Grades	8 / 8
60 or Better	4 / 8 TIE

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.
65 or Better	8 / 8
All Grades	8 / 8
60 or Better	4 / 8 TIE

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS66 PCGS grade	Andrew Nugget, sold privately in 7/2000 - D. Brent Pogue Collection) - Stack's/Bowers & Sotheby's 5/2016:4050, $111,625
1	MS66 PCGS grade
3	MS65+ PCGS grade
4	MS65 PCGS grade	Heritage 8/2014:5649, $99,875
4	MS65 PCGS grade	Heritage 1/2007:3543, $63,250

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

Andrew Nugget, sold privately in 7/2000 - D. Brent Pogue Collection) - Stack's/Bowers & Sotheby's 5/2016:4050, $111,625

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

#3 MS65+ PCGS grade

#4 MS65 PCGS grade

Heritage 8/2014:5649, $99,875

#4 MS65 PCGS grade

Heritage 1/2007:3543, $63,250