1914 $5 XF45 Certification #33779990, PCGS #8527

David Akers (1975/88)

The 1914 is very similar in overall rarity to the other Philadelphia Mint issues from 1909 to 1913 and it can be found in MS-63 or lower grades with relatively little difficulty. In MS-64 or higher, the 1914 is certainly rare but perhaps a bit less so than the others except the 1911 to which it is very similar in rarity. The 1914 is more rare in high grade than the 1915 or, of course, the 1908, but gems are available from time to time. A few extraordinary Mint State specimens are also known to exist.

The 1914 is almost always sharply struck and the surfaces are generally quite granular, usually more so than on the typical 1912 or 1913. Some "soft" frosty examples also exist but I have not seen any satiny ones. Lustre for this issue is well above average for the series (though not quite as radiant as on the 1912 or 1913) and the color is generally excellent, typically a rich orange and greenish gold or a medium coppery gold.