1920-S 5C MS65 Certification #25681942, PCGS #3946

CoinFacts Details

Owner's Comments

Secure

Expert Comments

David Hall

In circulated grades, the 1920-S is quite scarce. It is rare in mint state and in Gem condition it is one of the major rarities of the Buffalo nickel series. For the non-varieties, in Gem condition only the 1926-S is rarer, though the 1925-S is close in rarity to the 1920-S. I'd caall the 1920-S the second rarest buffalo nickel in Gem condition after the 1926-S. Strike is a big problem with this issue and most examples have very weakly struck detail of the Buffalo's horn and tail and the Indian's hair braid. Luster, on the rare mint state example, is somewhat frosty.

PCGS #

3946

Designer

James Earle Fraser

Edge

Plain

Diameter

21.20 millimeters

Weight

5.00 grams

Mintage

9689000

Metal

75% Copper, 25% Nickel

Pop Higher

Pop Lower

1290

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	5500	R-3.9	12 / 69	12 / 72
All Grades	800	R-5.4	10 / 69 TIE	10 / 72 TIE
60 or Better	30	R-8.9	5 / 69	5 / 72

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	5500
All Grades	800
60 or Better	30

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-5.4
60 or Better	R-8.9

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	12 / 69
All Grades	10 / 69 TIE
60 or Better	5 / 69

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	12 / 72
All Grades	10 / 72 TIE
60 or Better	5 / 72

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS66 PCGS grade	Gerald R. Forsythe Collection
2	MS65+ PCGS grade
3	MS65 PCGS grade
3	MS65 PCGS grade
3	MS65 PCGS grade

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

Gerald R. Forsythe Collection

#2 MS65+ PCGS grade

#3 MS65 PCGS grade