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. |
| All Grades |
107 |
R-7.9 |
39 / 112 TIE |
61 / 218 TIE |
| 60 or Better |
2 |
R-9.9 |
7 / 112 TIE |
13 / 218 TIE |
| 65 or Better |
1 |
R-10.0 |
1 / 112 TIE |
1 / 218 TIE |
|
Survival Estimate
|
| All Grades |
107 |
| 60 or Better |
2 |
| 65 or Better |
1 |
|
Numismatic Rarity
|
| All Grades |
R-7.9 |
| 60 or Better |
R-9.9 |
| 65 or Better |
R-10.0 |
|
Relative Rarity By Type
All Specs in this Type
|
| All Grades |
39 / 112 TIE |
| 60 or Better |
7 / 112 TIE |
| 65 or Better |
1 / 112 TIE |
|
Relative Rarity By Series
All Specs in this Series
|
| All Grades |
61 / 218 TIE |
| 60 or Better |
13 / 218 TIE |
| 65 or Better |
1 / 218 TIE |
| Pos |
Grade |
Image |
Pedigree and History |
| 1 |
MS66 PCGS grade |
|
|
| 2 |
MS65 PCGS grade |
|
D.L. Hansen Collection
|
| 2 |
MS65 estimated grade |
|
Edward Milas Collection - Stack's 5/1995:442, $57,750 - New Orleans Collection - Heritage 4/2015:5331, $56,400
|
| 4 |
AU58 PCGS grade |
|
|
| 4 |
AU58 estimated grade |
|
|
| 4 |
AU58 estimated grade |
|
|
| 4 |
AU58 estimated grade |
|
|
| 4 |
AU58 estimated grade |
|
|
| 9 |
AU55 PCGS grade |
|
|
| 10 |
AU53 PCGS grade |
|
|
|
#1 MS66 PCGS grade
|
|
#2 MS65 PCGS grade
|
#2 MS65 estimated grade
Edward Milas Collection - Stack's 5/1995:442, $57,750 - New Orleans Collection - Heritage 4/2015:5331, $56,400
|
|
#4 AU58 PCGS grade
|
|
#4 AU58 estimated grade
|
|
#4 AU58 estimated grade
|
|
#4 AU58 estimated grade
|
|
#4 AU58 estimated grade
|
|
#9 AU55 PCGS grade
|
|
#10 AU53 PCGS grade
|
David Akers (1975/88):
Contrary to popular opinion, the 1842 Small Letters is not more rare than the Large Letters variety. In my experience, and the auction data confirms it, the Large Letters variety is substantially more rare in all grades than the Small Letters variety. This is not to say that the 1842 Small Letters is not rare because it most definitely is, particularly in high grade. The typically available specimen is VF or EF and AU or Unc. examples are extremely rare.
Gordon Wrubel:
By checking the great photos above, one can see the obvious differences between the Small Letter(SL) and Large Letter (LL)reverses of the 1842 $5. The SL reverse puncheons are squared, about as wide as they are tall. On the LL reverse, the letters are tall and about twice the size of the SL. The letters are crowded, almost touching at their bases. The tops of the letters are CLOSE to the rim.
