1870 5C (Regular Strike)

Series: Shield Five Cents 1866-1883

PCGS MS66+

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PCGS MS66+

PCGS #:: 3797

Designer:: James Barton Longacre

Edge:: Plain

Diameter:: 20.50 millimeters

Weight:: 5.00 grams

Mintage:: 4,806,000

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel

Auction Record:: $10,281 • MS66 • 03-26-2020 • Legend Rare Coin Auctions

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Major Varieties

1870 5C

Die Varieties

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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	6,000	R-3.8	11 / 17	12 / 19
60 or Better	500	R-6.0	7 / 17 TIE	7 / 19 TIE
65 or Better	75	R-8.2	4 / 17 TIE	4 / 19 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	6,000
60 or Better	500
65 or Better	75

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-3.8
60 or Better	R-6.0
65 or Better	R-8.2

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	11 / 17
60 or Better	7 / 17 TIE
65 or Better	4 / 17 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	12 / 19
60 or Better	7 / 19 TIE
65 or Better	4 / 19 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS66+ PCGS grade	“Greenbrier River” Collection (PCGS Set Registry)
1	MS66+ PCGS grade
1	MS66+ PCGS grade
1	MS66+ PCGS grade
1	MS66+ PCGS grade
1	MS66+ PCGS grade
7	MS66 PCGS grade	Heritage 1/2010:452, $6,613 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part I - Heritage 6/2014:30143, $4,994
7	MS66 PCGS grade
7	MS66 PCGS grade
7	MS66 PCGS grade

#1 MS66+ PCGS grade

“Greenbrier River” Collection (PCGS Set Registry)

#1 MS66+ PCGS grade

#7 MS66 PCGS grade

Heritage 1/2010:452, $6,613 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part I - Heritage 6/2014:30143, $4,994

#7 MS66 PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

In 1870, the mintage of the Nickel dropped substantially, but still rang in at nearly 5 million pieces. Though the total population for this date dropped as well, the grade distribution of Mint State examples mimics that of previous years. In other words, MS64 is the most frequently-seen grade, followed by MS63, then MS65. At the top end is MS66, where PCGS has certified a total of ten examples, but none finer.

Most examples of this date are struck well, but die cracks are common. Often, the reverse stars show outlines; this was not caused by repunching, but by impressing the hub too heavily into the die.