1880-S $20 MS61 Certification #40937516, PCGS #8993

CoinFacts Details

Expert Comments

David Akers (1975/88)

Here is a real "sleeper" date that, until now, few people have appreciated. It is widely considered to be a common date and, in truth, it is only moderately scarce in circulated grades. However, in strictly uncirculated condition it is definitely rare, much rarer, in fact, than many more highly touted dates in the series. Compared to the 1880-S, for example, all of the late CC-Mint issues except the 1891-CC are downright common in Unc. Hundreds of 1893-CC's exist in Unc., including many gems, but if there is a gem 1880-S in existence, I am unaware of it. In AU, the 1880-S is very scarce and even average quality uncirculated examples are rare. Choice mint state pieces are very rare; I have seen only a few at that level and, as I mentioned, no gems at all.

Ron Guth

The Saddle Ridge Hoard of gold coins, discovered in northern California in 2013, contained forty-one 1880-S $20s, including six ungradeable examples, ten Mint State examples, and one PCGS MS64 (which tied for Second Finest Known with an already existing PCGS MS64).

PCGS #

8993

Designer

James Barton Longacre

Edge

Reeded

Diameter

34.00 millimeters

Weight

33.40 grams

Mintage

836000

Metal

90% Gold, 10% Copper

Pop Higher

154

Pop Lower

791

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	5125	R-3.9	29 / 73 TIE	96 / 148 TIE
All Grades	300	R-6.4	19 / 73	77 / 148
60 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 73	1 / 148

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	5125
All Grades	300
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-3.9
All Grades	R-6.4
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	29 / 73 TIE
All Grades	19 / 73
60 or Better	1 / 73

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	96 / 148 TIE
All Grades	77 / 148
60 or Better	1 / 148

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS65 PCGS grade
2	MS65 estimated grade
3	MS64 PCGS grade	AWA Collection - D.L. Hansen Collection
3	MS64 PCGS grade	Discovered in Paris and certified by PCGS in 6/2016
3	MS64 PCGS grade	Saddle Ridge Hoard

#1 MS65 PCGS grade

#2 MS65 estimated grade

#3 MS64 PCGS grade

AWA Collection - D.L. Hansen Collection

#3 MS64 PCGS grade

Discovered in Paris and certified by PCGS in 6/2016

#3 MS64 PCGS grade

Saddle Ridge Hoard