1888 $5 MS63+ Certification #39366074, PCGS #8372

CoinFacts Details

Owner's Comments

PCGS MS63+. Stacks Description: LOT DESCRIPTION 1888 Liberty Head Half Eagle. MS-63+ (PCGS). CAC. Handsome rose-gold surfaces are fully frosted in finish with an impressively sharp strike from the dies. Perhaps not surprisingly after the facility produced no circulation strikes the preceding year, the Philadelphia Mint struck only 18,201 half eagles in this format in 1888. This is a scarce to rare issue at all levels of preservation, so much so that if more collectors were assembling date and mint sets of this series the present example in MS-63+ would almost certainly command a price well into the five-figure range. A coin that offers outstanding value for the astute gold enthusiast. PCGS Population: 3; 4 finer (MS-65 finest). PCGS# 8372. NGC ID: 25XX.

Expert Comments

David Akers (1975/88)

The 1888 is a very scarce and undervalued date in any condition. Most known specimens are in the EF to AU range and strictly uncirculated examples are rare. Choice or gem quality 1888 Half Eagles are very rare.

PCGS #

8372

Designer

Christian Gobrecht

Edge

Reeded

Diameter

21.65 millimeters

Weight

8.36 grams

Mintage

18201

Metal

90% Gold, 10% Copper

Pop Higher

Pop Lower

275

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	900	R-5.2	55 / 106	166 / 218
All Grades	225	R-6.7	54 / 106 TIE	155 / 218 TIE
60 or Better	2	R-9.9	7 / 106 TIE	18 / 218 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	900
All Grades	225
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-5.2
All Grades	R-6.7
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	55 / 106
All Grades	54 / 106 TIE
60 or Better	7 / 106 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	166 / 218
All Grades	155 / 218 TIE
60 or Better	18 / 218 TIE

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Thumbnail	Pedigree and History
1	MS65 PCGS grade
2	MS64 PCGS grade
2	MS64 estimated grade
4	MS63 PCGS grade
4	MS63 PCGS grade

#1 MS65 PCGS grade

#2 MS64 PCGS grade

#2 MS64 estimated grade

#4 MS63 PCGS grade