1885 5C MS66 Certification #25631891, PCGS #3846

CoinFacts Details

Expert Comments

Ron Guth

The 1885 Liberty Head Nickel has the second lowest mintage of the entire series (after the 1912-S). Most of the Liberty Head Nickel dates have mintages over 10 million, some over 20 million, a few over 30 million, and two that are just shy of 40 million. As a result, the 1885 is a very scarce coin and a widely recognized, highly popular rarity. In terms of pricing, the 1885 generally costs more than the lower-mintage 1912-S, partly because fewer of the former were saved in the year of issue.

The PCGS Population Report shows MS64 as the most "common" Mint State grade. MS66 examples are very scarce and the inest example certified by PCGS is a single PCGS MS67.

PCGS #

3846

Designer

Charles E. Barber

Edge

Plain

Diameter

21.20 millimeters

Weight

5.00 grams

Mintage

1473300

Metal

75% Copper, 25% Nickel

Pop Higher

Pop Lower

2130

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	5000	R-4.0	1 / 32 TIE	1 / 33 TIE
All Grades	750	R-5.5	1 / 32 TIE	1 / 33 TIE
60 or Better	150	R-7.5	2 / 32 TIE	2 / 33 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	5000
All Grades	750
60 or Better	150

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-4.0
All Grades	R-5.5
60 or Better	R-7.5

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	1 / 32 TIE
All Grades	1 / 32 TIE
60 or Better	2 / 32 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	1 / 33 TIE
All Grades	1 / 33 TIE
60 or Better	2 / 33 TIE

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS67 PCGS grade	Carnton Collection (PCGS Set Registry)
1	MS67 PCGS grade	Brokered by Brian Wagner in a private transaction, March 2012, for $170,000 - Greenbrier River Collection (PCGS Set Registry)
3	MS66+ PCGS grade
4	MS66 PCGS grade
4	MS66 PCGS grade

#1 MS67 PCGS grade

Carnton Collection (PCGS Set Registry)

#1 MS67 PCGS grade

Brokered by Brian Wagner in a private transaction, March 2012, for $170,000 -
Greenbrier River Collection (PCGS Set Registry)

#3 MS66+ PCGS grade

#4 MS66 PCGS grade