1873 $5 Open 3 MS64 认证号42641861, PCGS号8328

David Akers (1975/88)

Many collectors regard this date as fairly common because of the relatively high mintage and the low value put on it in the standard price guides. The 1873 Open 3 is not at all common, however, and is decidedly rare in AU or uncirculated condition. Most known specimens are only VF or EF. Overall, the 1873 Open 3 is slightly more rare than the 1873 Closed 3 and both are very underrated.

---

Ron Guth

1873 Half Eagles are found with "Closed" and "Open" 3's in the date.  The knobs of the Closed 3 are so close that the date can be mistaken for 1878 at a cursory glance.  This defect was noticed early in the year and was corrected by opening up the 3 so that no mistake could be made. 

In terms of the rarity of certified examples, the Closed and Open 3 are about equal.  The Closed 3 is slightly more common in Mint State and the grade distribution is similar for both.  Gem examples of the Closed 3 are very rare, with the finest example being a single PCGS MS66.