1914-S $5 MS62 Certification #36966115, PCGS #8529

David Akers (1975/88)

The 1914-S is one of the great rarities of the 20th-century United States gold series in MS-64 or better condition. The one in my own personal collection, a highly lustrous MS-65, is the only true gem I have seen, but I have handled two others, now in private West Coast collections, that are very close. A strictly graded MS-63 is also very rare although there once was a mini-hoard of Uncirculated coins that does make the MS-60 to 62 specimens possible to locate with just a little diligent searching.

This issue is usually rather well struck, but the surfaces are nearly always granular and decidedly lacklustre. A very few specimens, however, have a somewhat satiny look and excellent lustre that compares favorably to a nice 1910-S, for example. The quality of manufacture is a distinct cut above the 1913-S and 1912-S but the mintmark is typically a poorly defined "blob," although a few examples do have a sharp "S." The color is usually a greenish gold and orange. Some specimens show obvious die buckling near the rims. Overall, the 1914-S is very similar in appearance to the 1911-S and 1915-S.