1873 5C Closed 3 F15 Certification #44886796, PCGS #3801

CoinFacts Details

Owner's Comments

Box 6

Expert Comments

Ron Guth

In 1873, Mint employees used a date logotype where the loops of the 3 were so close to each other that the date could have been confused for an 1878. Later in the year, a new logotype was created with loops of the 3 moved farther apart. The Nickels weren't the only coins affected by this change -- quite a few other denominations were, as well.

In terms of relative rarity, the Closed 3 is clearly the scarcer of the two varieties. According to the PCGS Population Report (as of June 2011), PCGS had certified 66 Closed 3 and 222 Open 3 1873 Nickels in all grades. Among the Closed 3 variant population, MS-64 is the most frequently-seen grade. The finest examples certified by PCGS were three in MS-66.

PCGS #

3801

Designer

James Barton Longacre

Edge

Plain

Diameter

20.50 millimeters

Weight

5.00 grams

Metal

75% Copper, 25% Nickel

Pop Higher

166

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	1500	R-4.8	5 / 17 TIE	5 / 19 TIE
All Grades	100	R-8.0	2 / 17 TIE	2 / 19 TIE
60 or Better	35	R-8.8	3 / 17	3 / 19

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	1500
All Grades	100
60 or Better	35

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-4.8
All Grades	R-8.0
60 or Better	R-8.8

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	5 / 17 TIE
All Grades	2 / 17 TIE
60 or Better	3 / 17

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	5 / 19 TIE
All Grades	2 / 19 TIE
60 or Better	3 / 19

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS66+ PCGS grade	“Greenbrier River” Collection (PCGS Set Registry)
2	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS66 PCGS grade

#1 MS66+ PCGS grade

“Greenbrier River” Collection (PCGS Set Registry)

#2 MS66 PCGS grade