1861-S $5 (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head $5 1839-1908

PCGS AU53

PCGS AU53

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PCGS AU53

PCGS AU53

PCGS AU53

PCGS AU53

PCGS #:
8291
Designer:
Christian Gobrecht
Edge:
Reeded
Diameter:
21.65 millimeters
Weight:
8.36 grams
Mintage:
18,000
Mint:
San Francisco
Metal:
90% Gold, 10% Copper
Major Varieties

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
Numismatic
Rarity
Relative Rarity
By Type
Relative Rarity
By Series
All Grades 60 R-8.4 18 / 112 TIE 21 / 218 TIE
60 or Better 0 R-10.1 1 / 112 1 / 218
65 or Better 0 R-10.1 1 / 112 1 / 218
Survival Estimate
All Grades 60
60 or Better
65 or Better
Numismatic Rarity
All Grades R-8.4
60 or Better R-10.1
65 or Better R-10.1
Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades 18 / 112 TIE
60 or Better 1 / 112
65 or Better 1 / 112
Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades 21 / 218 TIE
60 or Better 1 / 218
65 or Better 1 / 218

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos Grade Image Pedigree and History
1 AU55 PCGS grade PCGS #8291 (MS)     53
2 AU53 PCGS grade
2 AU53 PCGS grade
2 AU53 PCGS grade
2 AU53 PCGS grade
2 AU53 PCGS grade
2 AU53 PCGS grade
2 AU53 estimated grade

Stack's/Bowers 10/2018:2131

2 AU53 estimated grade
2 AU53 estimated grade
PCGS #8291 (MS)     53 #1 AU55 PCGS grade
#2 AU53 PCGS grade
#2 AU53 PCGS grade
#2 AU53 PCGS grade
#2 AU53 PCGS grade
#2 AU53 PCGS grade
#2 AU53 PCGS grade
#2 AU53 estimated grade

Stack's/Bowers 10/2018:2131

#2 AU53 estimated grade
#2 AU53 estimated grade
David Akers (1975/88): The 1861-S is marginally more rare than the 1860-S or 1858-S and is comparable to the 1859-S. Like the latter, the 1861-S ranks in the top 10% of the $5 series in rarity having appeared at auction only 24 times in all grades in the 337 catalogues in my survey. It has never been offered above EF and I have only seen two examples at that level. Most known specimens (there aren't really very many) are only Fine or VF and this date, like all the San Francisco Mint Half Eagles of the 1858-1876 period, is grossly underrated and underpriced for its rarity.