1873 $20 Closed 3 (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head $20 1850-1907

PCGS MS63

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DATE COMPARISON

PCGS MS63

PCGS #:: 8966

Designer:: James Barton Longacre

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 34.00 millimeters

Weight:: 33.40 grams

Mintage:: 1,709,800

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $40,800 • MS63 • 04-03-2024 • Stack's Bowers

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (4)

Major Varieties

1873 $20 Closed 3
1873 $20 Open 3
1873 $20 Open 3, PL

Die Varieties

1873 $20 Closed 3 Saddle Ridge Hoard

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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	687	R-5.6	5 / 31 TIE	35 / 148 TIE
60 or Better	27	R-8.9	10 / 31	36 / 148 TIE
65 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 31	1 / 148

Survival Estimate
All Grades	687
60 or Better	27
65 or Better

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-5.6
60 or Better	R-8.9
65 or Better	R-10.1

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	5 / 31 TIE
60 or Better	10 / 31
65 or Better	1 / 31

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	35 / 148 TIE
60 or Better	36 / 148 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 148

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Image	Pedigree and History
1	MS63 PCGS grade
1	MS63 PCGS grade
3	MS62+ PCGS grade
4	MS62 PCGS grade
4	MS62 PCGS grade
6	MS61 PCGS grade
6	MS61 PCGS grade
6	MS61 PCGS grade
6	MS61 PCGS grade
6	MS61 PCGS grade

#1 MS63 PCGS grade

#3 MS62+ PCGS grade

#4 MS62 PCGS grade

#6 MS61 PCGS grade

Gordon Wrubel: Liberty $20. gold pieces of 1873 were minted with both "Open 3" and "Closed 3". For the Philadelphia Mint issues, the Open 3 is common and the closed 3 is very scarce. But how can one tell the difference? Look at the larger ball on the lower curve of the 3. The diameter of the ball is about the same size as the opening and would just pass through it. On the Closed 3, the lower ball would not pass through the constricted opening. As you can see from the condition census data above, the Closed 3 is a rarity in Mint State.

David Akers (1975/88):

Of the two main varieties of 1873, the Closed 3 variety is by far the rarest. In fact, it is one of the rarest P-Mint Double Eagles, roughly on a par with the 1862, 1868 and 1871 and just a little less rare than the 1859. Most known specimens are in the VF to AU grades and true mint state specimens are undeniably rare. I have never personally seen a choice or gem mint state specimen and no more than a couple of average Unc-60 quality.

Ron Guth:

The Saddle Ridge Hoard of gold coins, discovered in northern California in 2013, contained only one 1873-$20 Closed 3. After earning a grade of PCGS MS62, it became a Top Pop, tied with two others as the finest example of this date.