1873 $20 Open 3 MS62 Certification #02864096, PCGS #8967

CoinFacts Details

Expert Comments

Gordon Wrubel

Liberty $20. gold pieces of 1873 were minted with both "Open 3" and "Closed 3". For the Philadelphia Mint issues the Open 3 is common and the Closed 3 is scarce. But how can one tell the difference? Look at the larger ball at the lower curve of the 3. The diameter of the ball is about the same size as the opening and would just pass through it. On the closed 3, the lower ball would not pass through the constricted opening. As a group, Type II Liberty $20s(1866-1876) are rather hard to find in Mint condition. But if you are for looking for that special coin for your type set, the condition census above shows that the 1873, Open 3 is one of your most likely candidates.

David Akers (1975/88)

The 1873 Open 3 is the most common Type II Double Eagle and the commonest date of this denomination prior to the mid-1890'S. It is readily available in all grades from VF to choice uncirculated and a large number of mint state pieces are known. Because of their size and weight and the way they were stored and handled over the years, almost all Double Eagles have a fair number of bagmarks and, for this reason, gem quality (65 or better) examples of this issue are very scarce.

PCGS #

8967

Designer

James Barton Longacre

Edge

Reeded

Diameter

34.00 millimeters

Weight

33.40 grams

Mintage

1709800

Metal

90% Gold, 10% Copper

Pop Higher

583

Pop Lower

6906

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	12500	R-2.9	30 / 31 TIE	113 / 148 TIE
All Grades	3000	R-4.4	30 / 31	112 / 148 TIE
60 or Better	2	R-9.9	1 / 31 TIE	2 / 148 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	12500
All Grades	3000
60 or Better	2

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-2.9
All Grades	R-4.4
60 or Better	R-9.9

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	30 / 31 TIE
All Grades	30 / 31
60 or Better	1 / 31 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	113 / 148 TIE
All Grades	112 / 148 TIE
60 or Better	2 / 148 TIE

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS65+ PCGS grade	D.L. Hansen Collection
2	MS64+ estimated grade	Heritage 1/2011:5264, $112,125
2	MS64 PCGS grade	Stack's/Bowers 8/2012:11773, $35,250 - Warsaw Collection - Heritage 8/2013:5916, $41,125
2	MS64 PCGS grade
2	MS64 PCGS grade

#1 MS65+ PCGS grade

D.L. Hansen Collection

#2 MS64+ estimated grade

Heritage 1/2011:5264, $112,125

#2 MS64 PCGS grade

Stack's/Bowers 8/2012:11773, $35,250 - Warsaw Collection - Heritage 8/2013:5916, $41,125

#2 MS64 PCGS grade