1842 $5 Small Letters (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head $5 1839-1908

PCGS MS65

REVERSE COMPARISON

PCGS MS62

PCGS #:: 8207

Designer:: Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 21.65 millimeters

Weight:: 8.36 grams

Mintage:: 27,578

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $57,750 • MS65 • 05-01-1995 • Stack's

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (3)

Major Varieties

1842 $5 Large Letters
1842 $5 Small Letters

Die Varieties

1842 $5 Small Letters S.S. Central America #2 (with Pinch)

Go To Grade

Price Guide (USD)

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - NGC Graded

Current Auctions - PCGS Graded

Current Auctions - NGC Graded

For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - PCGS Graded

For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - 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.
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

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	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

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

#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.