1865-S $5 AU50 Certification #05652591, PCGS #8299

CoinFacts Details

Owner's Comments

Though this coin is graded AU-50, due to the luster, color and lack of abrasions this coin has more eye appeal than many higher end AUs. There are only 14 coins finer at PCGS, with 66 total. There are 2 PCGS Uncs! The 1865-s has the second lowest average grade of any Liberty $5.00. It is exciting that this coin has a pedigree of Harry Bass JR and D.L.. Hansen! Harry Bass JR. has donated the funds for a gallery at the ANA museum for his gold! There is a beautiful presentation of the gallery, by the amazing Jeff Garrett: https://www.money.org/money-museum/Harry-W-Bass-Gallery

Expert Comments

David Akers (1975/88)

Although the mintage of the 1865-S is quite a bit higher than the mintages of the S Mint Half Eagles from 1858 to 1864, it compares in overall rarity to the 1858-S, 1860-S and 1863-S and is only slightly less rare than the others. Almost all known examples of this date are well worn with VF and lower being all one can expect to find. The 1865-S ranks second in the entire $5 series according to average grade and I do not know of a specimen that would grade better than EF. The very few specimens that I have seen were rather softly struck and the mintmark was always quite weak.

David Hall

The lone "miracle" MS64 specimen was recovered from the Brother Jonatan shipwreck and sold at auction by Bowers and Merena in May, 1999 for $48,300.

PCGS #

8299

Designer

Christian Gobrecht

Edge

Reeded

Diameter

21.65 millimeters

Weight

8.36 grams

Mintage

27612

Metal

90% Gold, 10% Copper

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Region

The United States of America

Price Guide

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - 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.
65 or Better	80	R-8.2	25 / 112 TIE	34 / 218 TIE
All Grades	2	R-9.9	7 / 112 TIE	13 / 218 TIE
60 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 112	1 / 218

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.
65 or Better	80
All Grades	2
60 or Better	0

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.
65 or Better	R-8.2
All Grades	R-9.9
60 or Better	R-10.1

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.
65 or Better	25 / 112 TIE
All Grades	7 / 112 TIE
60 or Better	1 / 112

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.
65 or Better	34 / 218 TIE
All Grades	13 / 218 TIE
60 or Better	1 / 218

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS64 PCGS grade	Recovered from the wreck of the S.S. Brother Jonathan - Bowers & Merena 5/1999:45, $48,300 - Bowers & Merena 8/2001:377, $40,250 - American Numismatic Rarities 1/2004:480, $43,700
2	MS62 PCGS grade
2	AU58 estimated grade
2	AU58 PCGS grade
2	AU58 estimated grade	Heritage 1/2007:5899, $12,650

#1 MS64 PCGS grade

Recovered from the wreck of the S.S. Brother Jonathan - Bowers & Merena 5/1999:45, $48,300 - Bowers & Merena 8/2001:377, $40,250 - American Numismatic Rarities 1/2004:480, $43,700

#2 MS62 PCGS grade

#2 AU58 estimated grade

#2 AU58 PCGS grade

#2 AU58 estimated grade

Heritage 1/2007:5899, $12,650