1878-S $5 (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head $5 1839-1908

PCGS MS64+

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PCGS MS64

PCGS #:: 8347

Designer:: Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 21.65 millimeters

Weight:: 8.36 grams

Mintage:: 144,700

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $19,800 • MS65 • 04-26-2020 • Heritage Auctions

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Major Varieties

1878-S $5

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PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - NGC Graded

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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	1,000	R-5.0	56 / 106 TIE	167 / 218 TIE
60 or Better	90	R-8.1	43 / 106	142 / 218 TIE
65 or Better	1	R-10.0	1 / 106 TIE	1 / 218 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	1,000
60 or Better	90
65 or Better	1

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-5.0
60 or Better	R-8.1
65 or Better	R-10.0

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	56 / 106 TIE
60 or Better	43 / 106
65 or Better	1 / 106 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	167 / 218 TIE
60 or Better	142 / 218 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 218 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS65 PCGS grade
2	MS64+ PCGS grade	Stack's/Bowers 8/2011:9445, $7,763 - Heritage 9/2013:6785, $8,225 - D.L. Hansen Collection
3	MS64 PCGS grade
3	MS64 PCGS grade
3	MS64 PCGS grade
3	MS64 PCGS grade
7	MS63 PCGS grade
7	MS63 PCGS grade
7	MS63 PCGS grade
7	MS63 PCGS grade

#1 MS65 PCGS grade

#2 MS64+ PCGS grade

Stack's/Bowers 8/2011:9445, $7,763 - Heritage 9/2013:6785, $8,225 - D.L. Hansen Collection

#3 MS64 PCGS grade

#7 MS63 PCGS grade

David Akers (1975/88): The 1878-S does not compare in rarity to the earlier San Francisco Mint Half Eagles but it is far from being a common date. Although VF and EF examples are not too difficult to finds, AU's are scarce and strictly uncirculated specimens are rare. Gem quality uncirculated examples are very rare. The mintmark is small, as on previous issues, but generally sharper.