1923-S 5C AU55 Certification #27609011, PCGS #3950

CoinFacts Details

Owner's Comments

CAC Green

Expert Comments

David Hall

The 1923-S is scare in circulated grades, rare in mint state, and extremely rare in Gem condition. In Gem MS65 or better condition (there are only a couple of MS66s and none better), this is one of the major rarities of the series. Only the 1920-S, 1925-S, 1926-S, and 1927-S are rarer. Strike can be a major problem with this issue and in the early 1970s I actually saw an original roll (40 coins) of strictly uncirculated coins of this date and every coin was as flat as a pancake...literally...with no horn or tail detail on the buffalo whatsoever! A Gem MS65 coin has to be a decent strike and that's the major stumbling block. Most examples have a subdued light frosty luster.

PCGS #

3950

Designer

James Earle Fraser

Edge

Plain

Diameter

21.20 millimeters

Weight

5.00 grams

Mintage

6142000

Metal

75% Copper, 25% Nickel

Pop Higher

1157

Pop Lower

997

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	9000	R-3.2	35 / 69	35 / 72
All Grades	1400	R-4.8	23 / 69 TIE	23 / 72 TIE
60 or Better	60	R-8.4	8 / 69 TIE	8 / 72 TIE

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	9000
All Grades	1400
60 or Better	60

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-3.2
All Grades	R-4.8
60 or Better	R-8.4

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	35 / 69
All Grades	23 / 69 TIE
60 or Better	8 / 69 TIE

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	35 / 72
All Grades	23 / 72 TIE
60 or Better	8 / 72 TIE

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS66 PCGS grade	Gerald R. Forsythe Collection (PCGS Set Registry)
1	MS66 PCGS grade	Heritage 6/2013:4394, $67,563
1	MS66 PCGS grade
4	MS65+ PCGS grade	Legend Rare Coin Auctions 12/2016:134, $19,388 - Legend Rare Coin Auctions 1/2018:102, $19,388 - Legend Rare Coin Auctions 7/2018:257, $17,625 - Legend Rare Coin Auctions 9/2019:164
4	MS65+ PCGS grade	Legend Rare Coin Auctions 12/2016:85, $11,456 - Angel Dee’s Toned Set Collection - Legend Rare Coin Auctions 7/2017:136, $13,513

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

Gerald R. Forsythe Collection (PCGS Set Registry)

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

Heritage 6/2013:4394, $67,563

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

#4 MS65+ PCGS grade

Legend Rare Coin Auctions 12/2016:134, $19,388 - Legend Rare Coin Auctions 1/2018:102, $19,388 - Legend Rare Coin Auctions 7/2018:257, $17,625 - Legend Rare Coin Auctions 9/2019:164

#4 MS65+ PCGS grade

Legend Rare Coin Auctions 12/2016:85, $11,456 - Angel Dee’s Toned Set Collection - Legend Rare Coin Auctions 7/2017:136, $13,513