1926-S 5C AU58 Certification #36076694, PCGS #3959

CoinFacts Details

Expert Comments

David Hall

The 1926-S is rare in lower circulated grades and very rare in circulated grades of VF20 or better. It is really rare in mint state condition and in Gem MS65 it is the rarest non-variety Buffalo nickel and as such it is one of the most important rarities of 20th Century numismatics. I have never seen or heard of a specimen grading above MS65. Strike can be somewhat of a problem with this issue, but not as much so as with the 1920-S, 1923-S and 1925-S. It's not the strike, it's the fact that not many Gem examples exist at all. Luster is of the subdued semi-satiny type. Excluding the 1918/7-D overdate, this issue is THE key date to the Buffalo nickel series.

PCGS #

3959

Designer

James Earle Fraser

Edge

Plain

Diameter

21.20 millimeters

Weight

5.00 grams

Mintage

970000

Metal

75% Copper, 25% Nickel

Pop Higher

389

Pop Lower

2760

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	11000	R-2.9	43 / 69 TIE	44 / 72 TIE
All Grades	500	R-6.0	6 / 69 TIE	6 / 72 TIE
60 or Better	20	R-9.1	4 / 69	4 / 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	11000
All Grades	500
60 or Better	20

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-2.9
All Grades	R-6.0
60 or Better	R-9.1

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	43 / 69 TIE
All Grades	6 / 69 TIE
60 or Better	4 / 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	44 / 72 TIE
All Grades	6 / 72 TIE
60 or Better	4 / 72

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS65+ PCGS grade
1	MS65+ PCGS grade	Heritage 10/2011:3409, $115,000 - Legend Rare Coin Auctions 1/2017:131, not sold
1	MS65+ PCGS grade	Rafferty Collection - Heritage 1/2018:4790, $99,000 - Legend Rare Coin Auctions 9/2018:292, not sold - Legend Rare Coin Auctions 9/2019:165
4	MS65 PCGS grade	Heritage 10/2012:3503, $79,312 - Heritage 4/2013:4162, $76,375
4	MS65 PCGS grade	Bowers & Merena 4/2008:218, $322,000 - Heritage 9/2013:6286, $105,750 - Heritage 1/2014:5168, $94,000

#1 MS65+ PCGS grade

Heritage 10/2011:3409, $115,000 - Legend Rare Coin Auctions 1/2017:131, not sold

#1 MS65+ PCGS grade

Rafferty Collection - Heritage 1/2018:4790, $99,000 - Legend Rare Coin Auctions 9/2018:292, not sold - Legend Rare Coin Auctions 9/2019:165

#4 MS65 PCGS grade

Heritage 10/2012:3503, $79,312 - Heritage 4/2013:4162, $76,375

#4 MS65 PCGS grade

Bowers & Merena 4/2008:218, $322,000 - Heritage 9/2013:6286, $105,750 - Heritage 1/2014:5168, $94,000