1873-S $20 Closed 3 AU55 Certification #02840490, PCGS #8969

CoinFacts Details

Expert Comments

Gordon Wrubel

San Francisco minted 1873 Twenty Liberty coins come with both Open and Closed 3s. But, unlike her Philadelphia sisters, the Closed 3 is the more common occurrence. The ratio of Closed to Open is about three to one. If you are looking at a raw coin and do not have the comparison photos above for reference, it is easy to determine whether the coin has an Open or Closed 3. The ball at the end of the lower loop of the 3 is about the same size as the opening of the 3 and may just pass through. On the Closed three the ball will not pass through the opening. As you can determine from the Condition Census above, this coin is rare graded higher than MS 62.

David Akers (1975/88)

There are two main varieties of this issue just as there are two varieties of the 1873 Philadelphia Mint issue. Both varieties are scarce but the Open 3 variety is the more rare of the two. As a date (i.e. not considering the two varieties as separate issues), the 1873-S is similar in overall rarity to the 1869-S, 1870-S 1871-S and 1872-S. However, the 1873-S is not as rare in full mint state as the four S-Mints immediately preceeding it. Nevertheless, in strictly uncirculated condition, the 1873-S is scarce and in choice or gem Unc. it is definitely rare.

PCGS #

8969

Designer

James Barton Longacre

Edge

Reeded

Diameter

34.00 millimeters

Weight

33.40 grams

Mintage

1040600

Metal

90% Gold, 10% Copper

Pop Higher

950

Pop Lower

873

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	5375	R-3.9	27 / 31	96 / 148 TIE
All Grades	250	R-6.6	21 / 31	75 / 148 TIE
60 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 31	1 / 148

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	5375
All Grades	250
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-3.9
All Grades	R-6.6
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	27 / 31
All Grades	21 / 31
60 or Better	1 / 31

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	96 / 148 TIE
All Grades	75 / 148 TIE
60 or Better	1 / 148

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS63 PCGS grade	D.L. Hansen Collection
1	MS63 PCGS grade
1	MS63 PCGS grade
4	MS62+ PCGS grade
4	MS62+ PCGS grade

#1 MS63 PCGS grade

D.L. Hansen Collection

#1 MS63 PCGS grade

#4 MS62+ PCGS grade