1888 5C MS65 Certification #41228126, PCGS #3849

CoinFacts Details

Expert Comments

Ron Guth

The 1888 Liberty Head Nickel has a mintage similar to that of the 1912-D, and both coins are valued similarly across the grade spectrum. Only eight other dates in the series have a lower mintage (nine, if you count the 1913 Liberty Nickel), making it one of the more popular, early dates.

The most common Mint State grade for the 1888 Nickel is MS-64, followed by MS-63. Gems are scarce and superb exmples are essentially non-existent. The finest 1888 Nickel certified by PCGS (as of December 2011) is a single MS-66+.

Collectors should seek spot-free examples that show a strong strike, especially on the obverse stars and the ear of corn on the lower left reverse.

PCGS #

3849

Designer

Charles E. Barber

Edge

Plain

Diameter

21.20 millimeters

Weight

5.00 grams

Mintage

10715901

Metal

75% Copper, 25% Nickel

Pop Higher

Pop Lower

736

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	25000	R-2.7	7 / 32 TIE	7 / 33 TIE
All Grades	1000	R-5.0	6 / 32 TIE	6 / 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	25000
All Grades	1000
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-2.7
All Grades	R-5.0
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	7 / 32 TIE
All Grades	6 / 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	7 / 33 TIE
All Grades	6 / 33 TIE
60 or Better	2 / 33 TIE

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS66+ PCGS grade
2	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS66 PCGS grade	Land of Smiles Collection - Stack's/Bowers 6//2012:2317, $23,000
2	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS66 PCGS grade

#1 MS66+ PCGS grade

#2 MS66 PCGS grade

Land of Smiles Collection - Stack's/Bowers 6//2012:2317, $23,000

#2 MS66 PCGS grade