1919-S 5C G4 Certification #38397884, PCGS #3943

CoinFacts Details

Expert Comments

David Hall

The 1919-S is scarce in circulated grades, rare in Mint State, and a major rarity in Gem condition. Most of the killer rarities in the Buffalo nickel series are the 1918 thru 1927 San Francisco issues. They are all extremely rare in Gem MS65 condition and almost impossiblke to find any better. For the 1919-S, only a few dozen Gems are known. Strike can often be a problem, as can a lack of decent luster. In Gem condition, the 1919-S is one of the key dates in the series.

PCGS #

3943

Designer

James Earle Fraser

Edge

Plain

Diameter

21.20 millimeters

Weight

5.00 grams

Mintage

7521000

Metal

75% Copper, 25% Nickel

Pop Higher

1603

Pop Lower

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	9 / 69 TIE	9 / 72 TIE
All Grades	800	R-5.4	10 / 69 TIE	10 / 72 TIE
60 or Better	60	R-8.4	8 / 69 TIE	8 / 72 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	800
60 or Better	60

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-5.4
60 or Better	R-8.4

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	9 / 69 TIE
All Grades	10 / 69 TIE
60 or Better	8 / 69 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	9 / 72 TIE
All Grades	10 / 72 TIE
60 or Better	8 / 72 TIE

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS66 PCGS grade	Heritage 10/2006:528, $109,250 - Joseph C. Thomas Collection - Heritage 4/2009:2140, $100,625 - Stack's/Bowers 1/2013:13140, $89,300 - “Gately” Collection (PCGS Set Registry)
1	MS66 PCGS grade	Stack's/Bowers 11/2016:2038, $82,250
1	MS66 PCGS grade	Gerald R Forsythe Collection
4	MS65+ PCGS grade
4	MS65+ PCGS grade

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

Heritage 10/2006:528, $109,250 - Joseph C. Thomas Collection - Heritage 4/2009:2140, $100,625 - Stack's/Bowers 1/2013:13140, $89,300 - “Gately” Collection (PCGS Set Registry)

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

Stack's/Bowers 11/2016:2038, $82,250

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

Gerald R Forsythe Collection

#4 MS65+ PCGS grade