1871

1880-S $5 MS65 PCGS. The 1880-S is among the larger ha 1880-S[$5] MS65 PCGS.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1880-S $5 MS65 PCGS. The 1880-S is among the larger ha 1880-S[$5] MS65 PCGS.
<B>1880-S<$5> MS65 PCGS.</B></I> The 1880-S is among the larger half eagle mintages from the San Francisco Mint, with a coinage of more than 1.3 million pieces--but it is surprisingly scarce in the higher Uncirculated grades. In fact, in Gem condition, it is unpriced in the online PCGS (retail) Price Guide. The 1882-S half eagle, with a smaller mintage (and a higher certified Gem population) of 969,000 pieces, is retail-priced by PCGS at $6,500 in MS65. But while the 1882-S has a PCGS population of six examples in MS65, <B>this is the sole Gem 1880-S graded at PCGS, as well as the single highest graded example at that service (1/06).</B></I><BR> These surprising results are perhaps explainable by the recent introduction in 1878 of the Morgan dollar (then called the Bland dollar) in 1878. It might be that the few Western collectors who opted to put aside a special new coin from circulation chose one of the new, large, and impressive shiny silver pieces, rather than a higher-face-value coin whose design was largely unchanged since 1839. When viewing this piece, the initial impression is "original." The mint luster has a soft, frosted texture and each side is overlain with reddish patina with a subtle hint of olive intermixed. Fully struck in all areas with only the slightest marks visible under magnification.