1861-S $5 (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head $5 1839-1908

PCGS AU53

View More Images

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

Auction Record:: $16,800 • AU58 • 10-30-2018 • Stack's Bowers

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (1)

Major Varieties

1861-S $5

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	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	Pedigree and History
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

#1 AU55 PCGS grade

#2 AU53 PCGS grade

#2 AU53 estimated grade

Stack's/Bowers 10/2018:2131

#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.