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.
Ellen D Collection (PCGS Set Registry) - Simpson Collection
8
AU55 PCGS grade
8
AU55 PCGS grade
#1 MS64 PCGS grade
#1 MS64 PCGS grade
#3 MS63 PCGS grade
#3 MS63 PCGS grade
#5 MS62 PCGS grade
#5 MS62 PCGS grade
#7 AU58 PCGS grade
#8 AU55 PCGS grade
Ellen D Collection (PCGS Set Registry) - Simpson Collection
#8 AU55 PCGS grade
#8 AU55 PCGS grade
David Akers (1975/88):
Low grade specimens are the norm for this date yet the 1857-S is sufficiently rare that even VF and EF examples are seldom seen. I have seen two or three AU's but have neither seen nor heard of a strictly uncirculated piece. The 1857-S is just as rare as the lower mintage 1857-O and is nearly as rare as the 1855-S. It is considerably more rare than the 1854-S or 1856-S.
(PCGS CoinFacts editor's note: David Akers comments are from his seminal book on $10 gold pieces, published in 1980. This was before the discovery of the SS Central America ship wreck and gold hoard which was found in 1986 and came to market in 2000. The SS Central America treasure hoard contained thousands of 1857-S $20 gold pieces and a handful of 1857-S $10 Liberties, including a handful of mint state specimens. Before the SS Central America treasure hoard, as David Akers indicated, the 1857-S $10 Liberty was unknown in uncirculated condition.)
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