US Coin Specimen Estimation...

PtAgAu

Does anyone know if estimation figures exist for US coins currently in existence (e.g. a website)? In other words, I am curious if estimation figures exist for US coins (actual mintage - destroyed/melted down). In particular, I'm interested in such figures for US coins (dollars, halves, quarters, dimes, nickels, cents) for say the 1800's. I do often reference the actual mintage figures for these coins, but I imagine the actual number in existence is far fewer. Also, if I reference say the PCGS population--this is really just a sample and who knows how many ungraded, existing coins exist, correct?

Any help appreciated

Thanks,

PtAgAu

kranky

Welcome to the boards, man of many metals.

That's a tough question. I don't remember ever hearing of any such estimate, but it would be a wild guess even in the best of circumstances. For sure, the survival rate of silver coins is less than the nickel/copper ones because the various silver melts over the years.

The PCGS population wouldn't be relevant, in my opinion. Too many coins are out there which wouldn't be worth the cost to send in for slabbing.

If I really needed to know, I would contact the Public Relations office at the Mint and see what they could come up with. It would still be a guess, but a guess supplied by a government agency has legitimacy.

PtAgAu

Thanks for the reply, Kranky. Based off of what you say, do you think many/most of the Capped Bust Halves were melted down, since they were ~89% silver/11% copper? Seems to me the US govt may have been interested in remelting many at some point and time. I do see quite a few on eBay and other locations, though.

Any thoughts by you or the others?

--PtAgAu