1855-O 50C Arrows, Brunk M-326 May Flower Saloon TN

1854 50C Arrows

1855-S 50C Arrows (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Seated Half Dollars 1839-1891

PCGS MS64

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PCGS MS62

PCGS MS61

PCGS #:: 6284

Designer:: Thomas Sully/Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 30.00 millimeters

Weight:: 12.40 grams

Mintage:: 129,950

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $115,000 • MS67 • 08-18-2011 • Stack's Bowers

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (5)

Major Varieties

1855-S 50C Arrows

Die Varieties

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For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - PCGS Graded

For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - NGC Graded

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	500	R-6.0	2 / 6	36 / 126 TIE
60 or Better	2	R-9.9	1 / 6	3 / 126 TIE
65 or Better	1	R-10.0	1 / 6	1 / 126 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	500
60 or Better	2
65 or Better	1

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-6.0
60 or Better	R-9.9
65 or Better	R-10.0

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	2 / 6
60 or Better	1 / 6
65 or Better	1 / 6

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	36 / 126 TIE
60 or Better	3 / 126 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 126 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS66+ estimated grade	Lester Merkin (date unknown) - William Mitkoff, sold privately on 5/23/1973 - James Bennet Pryor Collection - Bowers & Merena 1/1996:151 - Dick Osburn Collection - Stack's/Bowers 8/2011:7052, $115,000
2	MS64 PCGS grade	Bowers & Merena 6/1988:165 - Superior “Lee and Shaffer Collections” 9/1988:4458 - Superior “Boys Town” 5/1990:3807 - American Numismatic Rarities “Kennywood Collection” 1/2005:560 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 10/2014:98496, $41,125) - Heritage 4/2015:5086, $49,350
3	MS62 PCGS grade	Heritage 8/2017:3978, $58,750
3	MS62 estimated grade
5	AU58 PCGS grade	Heritage 8/2011:7166, $16,100
5	AU58 PCGS grade
5	AU58 PCGS grade
5	AU58 estimated grade
9	AU55 PCGS grade
9	AU55 PCGS grade

#1 MS66+ estimated grade

Lester Merkin (date unknown) - William Mitkoff, sold privately on 5/23/1973 - James Bennet Pryor Collection - Bowers & Merena 1/1996:151 - Dick Osburn Collection - Stack's/Bowers 8/2011:7052, $115,000

#2 MS64 PCGS grade

Bowers & Merena 6/1988:165 - Superior “Lee and Shaffer Collections” 9/1988:4458 - Superior “Boys Town” 5/1990:3807 - American Numismatic Rarities “Kennywood Collection” 1/2005:560 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 10/2014:98496, $41,125) - Heritage 4/2015:5086, $49,350

#3 MS62 PCGS grade

Heritage 8/2017:3978, $58,750

#3 MS62 estimated grade

#5 AU58 PCGS grade

Heritage 8/2011:7166, $16,100

#5 AU58 PCGS grade

#5 AU58 estimated grade

#9 AU55 PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

The 1855-S Half Dollar is the only date of the 1853-1855 era that was struck with arrowheads to indicate the reduction in the weights of most U.S. silver coins under the Coinage Act of 1853. The 1955-S Half Dollar is an inherently rare date thanks to a small mintage, and it is especially elusive in Mint State. Only three Mint State examples have appeared on the market in recent years: the NGC MS67 from the Pryor and Osburn Collections; the PCGS MS64 from the Gardner Collection; and the PCGS MS62 now in the Hansen Collection. Even AU examples are pricey because they are also very rare and hard to find.