1863-S 50C (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Seated Half Dollars 1839-1891

PCGS MS65

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PCGS MS64+

PCGS #:: 6310

Designer:: Thomas Sully/Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 30.00 millimeters

Weight:: 12.40 grams

Mintage:: 916,000

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $9,106 • MS65 • 06-23-2014 • Heritage Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (5)

Major Varieties

1863-S 50C

Die Varieties

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Price Guide (USD)

PCGS Population

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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	1,200	R-4.9	53 / 66 TIE	90 / 126 TIE
60 or Better	100	R-8.0	49 / 66 TIE	79 / 126 TIE
65 or Better	1	R-10.0	1 / 66 TIE	1 / 126 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	1,200
60 or Better	100
65 or Better	1

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-4.9
60 or Better	R-8.0
65 or Better	R-10.0

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	53 / 66 TIE
60 or Better	49 / 66 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 66 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	90 / 126 TIE
60 or Better	79 / 126 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 126 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS65 PCGS grade
1	MS65 estimated grade
3	MS64+ PCGS grade	“Ivy” Collection (PCGS Set Registry)
3	MS64+ PCGS grade
3	MS64+ PCGS grade
3	MS64+ PCGS grade
7	MS64 PCGS grade
7	MS64 PCGS grade
7	MS64 PCGS grade
7	MS64 PCGS grade

#1 MS65 PCGS grade

#1 MS65 estimated grade

#3 MS64+ PCGS grade

“Ivy” Collection (PCGS Set Registry)

#3 MS64+ PCGS grade

#7 MS64 PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

The 1863-S Half Dollar is relativerly common in circulated grades, moderately scarce in Mint State, but very rare above MS64. This scenario is typical of most San Francisco Mint issues of the period because of their distance frpom the East Coast and the relatively few collectors who cared about mintmarks.

The luster on 1863-S Half Dollars is usually brilliant to satiny. The strike quality is generally good, but sometimes the stars at the top of the obverse can be weak...the same is true of the denticles on both sides. One might expect these coins to be "baggy" from excessive transporting, but such is not the case.