1881 5C (Regular Strike)

Series: Shield Five Cents 1866-1883

PCGS MS67

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PCGS MS67

PCGS #:: 3811

Designer:: James Barton Longacre

Edge:: Plain

Diameter:: 20.50 millimeters

Weight:: 5.00 grams

Mintage:: 68,000

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel

Auction Record:: $8,519 • MS67 • 11-08-2013 • Stack's Bowers

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1881 5C

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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	750	R-5.5	4 / 17	4 / 19
60 or Better	300	R-6.4	6 / 17	6 / 19
65 or Better	150	R-7.5	11 / 17 TIE	12 / 19 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	750
60 or Better	300
65 or Better	150

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-5.5
60 or Better	R-6.4
65 or Better	R-7.5

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	4 / 17
60 or Better	6 / 17
65 or Better	11 / 17 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	4 / 19
60 or Better	6 / 19
65 or Better	12 / 19 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS67 PCGS grade	“Greenbrier River” Collection (PCGS Set Registry)
1	MS67 PCGS grade
1	MS67 PCGS grade
1	MS67 PCGS grade
1	MS67 PCGS grade
1	MS67 PCGS grade
7	MS66+ PCGS grade
7	MS66+ PCGS grade
7	MS66+ PCGS grade
7	MS66+ PCGS grade

#1 MS67 PCGS grade

“Greenbrier River” Collection (PCGS Set Registry)

#1 MS67 PCGS grade

#7 MS66+ PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

Demand for Nickels rose inexplicably in 1881, and to meet the demand, the Mint produced 68,800 Nickels for circulation. Nonetheless, this was still the third lowest mintage for the entire Shield Nickel series, and this date remains scarce today. The overall quality of this date is especially nice, and enough Mint State examples have survived that finding one will not be too difficult. Gems are scarce, but not rare, and even a handful of MS67 examples await the collector.