United States 1886-S 5 dollars
This specimen was lot 1758 in Jean Elsen sale 164 (Brussels, March 2026), where it sold for €875 (about US$1,218 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ÉTATS-UNIS, AV 5 dollars, 1886 S. Fr-145. Nettoyé. Petits coups. Très Beau à Superbe. (United States gold five dollars of 1886. Cleaned, minor nicks, Very Fine - Extremely Fine.)"
This issue from the San Francisco mint is common but high grade examples usually bring exalted prices. The coronet head half eagle was struck 1839-1907 with the "IN GOD WE TRUST" motto added in 1866. San Francisco participated in production 1854-88 and 1892-1906 with most of its issues being common.
Recorded mintage: 3,268,000, a common date.
Specification: 8.359 g, 0.900 fine gold, 21.6 mm diameter, reeded edge.
Catalog reference: KM 101, Fr-179.
- Alexander, David T., Coin World Comprehensive Catalog & Encyclopedia of United States Coins, Sidney, OH: Amos Press, 1995.
- Breen, Walter H., Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U. S. and Colonial Coins, New York: Doubleday, 1987.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Yeoman, R. S., and Kenneth Bressett (ed.), A Guide Book of United States Coins, 65th Ed., Atlanta, GA: Whitman Publishing, 2011.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 164: Monnaies du duché de Brabant et du royaume de Belgique, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2026.
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