1873 5C Closed 3 (Regular Strike)

Series: Shield Five Cents 1866-1883

PCGS MS66+

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DATE COMPARISON

PCGS MS66+

PCGS #:: 3801

Designer:: James Barton Longacre

Edge:: Plain

Diameter:: 20.50 millimeters

Weight:: 5.00 grams

Mintage:: N/A

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel

Auction Record:: $9,988 • MS66+ • 01-27-2022 • Legend Rare Coin Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (10)

Major Varieties

1873 5C Open 3
1873 5C Closed 3

Minor Varieties

1873 5C Large/Small 3

Die Varieties

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Price Guide (USD)

PCGS Population

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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	1,500	R-4.8	5 / 17 TIE	5 / 19 TIE
60 or Better	100	R-8.0	2 / 17 TIE	2 / 19 TIE
65 or Better	35	R-8.8	3 / 17	3 / 19

Survival Estimate
All Grades	1,500
60 or Better	100
65 or Better	35

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-4.8
60 or Better	R-8.0
65 or Better	R-8.8

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	5 / 17 TIE
60 or Better	2 / 17 TIE
65 or Better	3 / 17

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	5 / 19 TIE
60 or Better	2 / 19 TIE
65 or Better	3 / 19

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS66+ PCGS grade	“Greenbrier River” Collection (PCGS Set Registry)
2	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS66 PCGS grade

#1 MS66+ PCGS grade

“Greenbrier River” Collection (PCGS Set Registry)

#2 MS66 PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

In 1873, Mint employees used a date logotype where the loops of the 3 were so close to each other that the date could have been confused for an 1878. Later in the year, a new logotype was created with loops of the 3 moved farther apart. The Nickels weren't the only coins affected by this change -- quite a few other denominations were, as well.

In terms of relative rarity, the Closed 3 is clearly the scarcer of the two varieties. According to the PCGS Population Report (as of June 2011), PCGS had certified 66 Closed 3 and 222 Open 3 1873 Nickels in all grades. Among the Closed 3 variant population, MS-64 is the most frequently-seen grade. The finest examples certified by PCGS were three in MS-66.