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.
David Akers (1975/88):
In addition to an estimated 13-15 Lettered Edge Extremely High Reliefs, there is one known specimen with a Plain Edge. This unique coin was part of a set of 1907 and 1908 gold coins (which also included a Lettered Edge Extremely High Relief) that was kept intact for many years until the set was sold by Stack's to New England Rare Coin Galleries in early 1980. NERCG broke up the set and the unique Plain Edge Extremely High relief was sold to dealer John Dannreuther who subsequently sold the coin to a customer. The Plain Edge specimen was struck from a badly cracked reverse die and, in my opinion, was the very first Extremely High Relief struck.
(PCGS CoinFacts Editors' note: see coin #9131 for David Akers comments on the Lettered Edge Extremely High Relief and its design and minting).
John Dannreuther:
Recent research by Roger Burdette turned up mint records indicating that the first reverse die cracked during the striking of the first Ultra High Relief. This documentation validates the theory of David Akers above (and others) that the unigue Plain Edge Ultra High Relief was the first Ultra High Relief struck.
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