1888-S $5 AU55 Certification #46311039, PCGS #8373

CoinFacts Details

Expert Comments

David Akers (1975/88)

Undoubtedly because of the "common date" status of the other S Mint Half Eagles of the 1880's (except for the 1883-S and 1884-S which are also underrated), the 1888-S is generally regarded as a common date as well. As the auction data shows, however, it is not at all common and is actually very scarce in all grades and surprisingly rare in strictly uncirculated condition. I have seen only a few mint state pieces and consider this date to be very rare and undervalued. The 1888-S is much more rare in high grades than either the 1883-S or 1884-S and is as rare and equally unappreciated as the rare S Mint Half Eagles from 1895-1897.

PCGS #

8373

Designer

Christian Gobrecht

Edge

Reeded

Diameter

21.65 millimeters

Weight

8.36 grams

Mintage

293900

Metal

90% Gold, 10% Copper

Pop Higher

161

Pop Lower

180

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	1000	R-5.0	56 / 106 TIE	167 / 218 TIE
All Grades	60	R-8.4	38 / 106	135 / 218
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	1000
All Grades	60
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-5.0
All Grades	R-8.4
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	56 / 106 TIE
All Grades	38 / 106
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	167 / 218 TIE
All Grades	135 / 218
60 or Better	1 / 218

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Thumbnail	Pedigree and History
1	MS63 PCGS grade
1	MS63 PCGS grade
1	MS63 PCGS grade
1	MS63 PCGS grade
1	MS63 PCGS grade

#1 MS63 PCGS grade