1861-S $5 XF45 Certification #36512518, PCGS #8291

CoinFacts Details

Expert Comments

David Akers (1975/88)

The 1861-S is marginally more rare than the 1860-S or 1858-S and is comparable to the 1859-S. Like the latter, the 1861-S ranks in the top 10% of the $5 series in rarity having appeared at auction only 24 times in all grades in the 337 catalogues in my survey. It has never been offered above EF and I have only seen two examples at that level. Most known specimens (there aren't really very many) are only Fine or VF and this date, like all the San Francisco Mint Half Eagles of the 1858-1876 period, is grossly underrated and underpriced for its rarity.

PCGS #

8291

Designer

Christian Gobrecht

Edge

Reeded

Diameter

21.65 millimeters

Weight

8.36 grams

Mintage

18000

Metal

90% Gold, 10% Copper

Pop Higher

Pop Lower

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	60	R-8.4	18 / 112 TIE	21 / 218 TIE
All Grades	0	R-10.1	1 / 112	1 / 218
60 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 112	1 / 218

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	60
All Grades	0
60 or Better	0

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-8.4
All Grades	R-10.1
60 or Better	R-10.1

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	18 / 112 TIE
All Grades	1 / 112
60 or Better	1 / 112

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	21 / 218 TIE
All Grades	1 / 218
60 or Better	1 / 218

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Thumbnail	Pedigree and History
1	AU55 PCGS grade
2	AU53 PCGS grade
2	AU53 PCGS grade
2	AU53 PCGS grade
2	AU53 PCGS grade

#1 AU55 PCGS grade

#2 AU53 PCGS grade