1863-S $2.50 (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Head $2 1/2 1840-1907

PCGS MS64+

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PCGS MS61

PCGS #:: 7799

Designer:: Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 18.00 millimeters

Weight:: 4.18 grams

Mintage:: 10,800

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $50,600 • MS64 • 03-14-2006 • American Numismatic Rarities

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Major Varieties

1863-S $2.50

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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.
All Grades	60	R-8.4	12 / 147 TIE	12 / 147 TIE
60 or Better	4	R-9.8	5 / 147 TIE	5 / 147 TIE
65 or Better	1	R-10.0	1 / 147 TIE	1 / 147 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	60
60 or Better	4
65 or Better	1

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-8.4
60 or Better	R-9.8
65 or Better	R-10.0

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	12 / 147 TIE
60 or Better	5 / 147 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 147 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	12 / 147 TIE
60 or Better	5 / 147 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 147 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS64+ PCGS grade	Elmer S. Sears, sold privately in 11/1910 - John H. Clapp Collection, sold intact in 1942 - Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Ruddy 10/1982:198, $5,500 - Stack's 10/1988:27 - New York Connoisseur's Collection - American Numismatic Rarities 3/2006:1457, $50,600
2	MS64 PCGS grade	This coin is most likely a duplicate appearance of the number 1 coin listed above
3	MS61 PCGS grade	BigMo Collection
3	MS61 PCGS grade
5	AU58 PCGS grade
5	AU58 PCGS grade
5	AU58 PCGS grade
5	AU58 PCGS grade
9	AU55 PCGS grade
9	AU55 PCGS grade

#1 MS64+ PCGS grade

Elmer S. Sears, sold privately in 11/1910 - John H. Clapp Collection, sold intact in 1942 - Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Ruddy 10/1982:198, $5,500 - Stack's 10/1988:27 - New York Connoisseur's Collection - American Numismatic Rarities 3/2006:1457, $50,600

#2 MS64 PCGS grade

This coin is most likely a duplicate appearance of the number 1 coin listed above

#3 MS61 PCGS grade

BigMo Collection

#3 MS61 PCGS grade

#5 AU58 PCGS grade

#9 AU55 PCGS grade

Ron Guth: This date was struck using the Old Reverse ("Hub of 1840-1858"). Research note: check reverse of contemporary dates to see if they are from the same die.

David Akers (1975/88): Although the 1863-S is not as rare as the 1862-S, it is similarly unappreciated and underpriced. Most known specimens are very weakly struck and strictly uncirculated pieces are extremely rare. I have seen only two fully mint state pieces and a modest number of AU's. Actually, any 1863-S better than VF is rare and desirable.