1870 $5 AU55+ Certification #43880965, PCGS #8319

CoinFacts Details

Owner's Comments

Vivid pinkish-rose iridescence blends with dominant honey-gold color on both sides of this richly original example. Boldly if not sharply struck in all areas with ample semi-prooflike finish. Produced during an era when gold coins did not actively circulate in the Eastern and Midwestern United States, the Philadelphia Mint's circulation strike half eagle issue of 1870 posted a mintage of just 4,000 coins. As an upper end Choice AU with CAC approval, the Fairmont-Hendricks specimen offered here is scarce in an absolute sense and rare from a condition standpoint. Provenance: From the Fairmont Collection-Hendricks Set.

Expert Comments

David Akers (1975/88)

The 1870 is just as rare as the 1869 even though its mintage is more than twice as great. Most known specimens are in the VF to EF range and AU examples are very rare. The Bell 1944 coin was described as choice uncirculated and, if it was, it may be unique since I know of no other with any claim to mint state.

PCGS #

8319

Designer

Christian Gobrecht

Edge

Reeded

Diameter

21.65 millimeters

Weight

8.36 grams

Mintage

4000

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	55	R-8.4	4 / 106 TIE	21 / 218 TIE
All Grades	2	R-9.9	7 / 106 TIE	13 / 218 TIE
60 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 106	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	55
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-8.4
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	4 / 106 TIE
All Grades	7 / 106 TIE
60 or Better	1 / 106

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	21 / 218 TIE
All Grades	13 / 218 TIE
60 or Better	1 / 218

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Thumbnail	Pedigree and History
1	MS61 PCGS grade
1	MS61 PCGS grade
3	AU58 PCGS grade
3	AU58 PCGS grade
3	AU58 PCGS grade

#1 MS61 PCGS grade

#3 AU58 PCGS grade