1908 $5 Indian MS62 Certification #44679491, PCGS #8510

CoinFacts Details

Expert Comments

Ron Guth

Don't be fooled by the relatively high mintage of this date -- it is a true condition-rarity in top grades. David Akers' analysis of the 1908 $5 Indian appears to have withstood the test of time, including the rarity of "nearly perfect" examples. His "some" back then translates to "extremely rare" today, as the number of MS67 examples certified by PCGS is exactly two, with none finer. From 1988 to 2012, only one MS67 had been certified by PCGS. NGC reports a single MS68, but that one has yet to appear at auction.

David Akers (1975/88)

The 1908 is the second most common issue of the series after the 1909-D and is by far the easiest to locate in gem condition. Finding an MS-63 or lower grade example is quite easy and even MS-64 specimens are encountered with some regularity. In MS-65, the 1908 is very scarce, if not rare, but there always seems to be a few on the market at any given time. Some really superb, nearly perfect examples of this date also exist, probably saved as mementos of the first year of issue.

The typical 1908 is well struck with very good to excellent lustre and satiny rather than frosty surfaces. (There are many specimens of the "soft" frosty type as well, however.) Color varies widely from rich greenish gold to bright yellow gold to orange and greenish gold.

PCGS #

8510

Designer

Bela Lyon Pratt

Edge

Reeded

Diameter

21.60 millimeters

Weight

8.36 grams

Mintage

577845

Metal

90% Gold, 10% Copper

Pop Higher

3649

Pop Lower

5112

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	26666	R-2.7	19 / 24 TIE	19 / 24 TIE
All Grades	17500	R-2.8	20 / 24	20 / 24
60 or Better	500	R-6.0	24 / 24	24 / 24

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	26666
All Grades	17500
60 or Better	500

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-2.7
All Grades	R-2.8
60 or Better	R-6.0

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	19 / 24 TIE
All Grades	20 / 24
60 or Better	24 / 24

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	19 / 24 TIE
All Grades	20 / 24
60 or Better	24 / 24

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS67+ PCGS grade	D.L. Hansen Collection
2	MS67 PCGS grade	Heritage 10/2012:5988, $67,563 - Heritage 1/2015:4305, $51,700
2	MS67 PCGS grade
2	MS67 estimated grade
5	MS66+ PCGS grade

#1 MS67+ PCGS grade

D.L. Hansen Collection

#2 MS67 PCGS grade

Heritage 10/2012:5988, $67,563 - Heritage 1/2015:4305, $51,700

#2 MS67 PCGS grade

#2 MS67 estimated grade

#5 MS66+ PCGS grade