1866-S 50C Motto (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Seated Half Dollars 1839-1891

PCGS MS66

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PCGS MS65+

PCGS MS65

PCGS #:: 6320

Designer:: Thomas Sully/Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 30.00 millimeters

Weight:: 12.40 grams

Mintage:: 994,000

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $17,625 • MS65+ • 10-28-2021 • Legend Rare Coin Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (10)

Major Varieties

1866-S 50C Motto

Die Varieties

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For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - PCGS Graded

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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	450	R-6.1	10 / 45 TIE	28 / 126 TIE
60 or Better	40	R-8.7	13 / 45	42 / 126 TIE
65 or Better	3	R-9.8	3 / 45 TIE	18 / 126 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	450
60 or Better	40
65 or Better	3

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-6.1
60 or Better	R-8.7
65 or Better	R-9.8

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	10 / 45 TIE
60 or Better	13 / 45
65 or Better	3 / 45 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	28 / 126 TIE
60 or Better	42 / 126 TIE
65 or Better	18 / 126 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS65 PCGS grade
4	MS64 PCGS grade	Dick Osburn Collection - Stack's/Bowers 8/2011:7092, $4,025
4	MS64 PCGS grade
4	MS64 PCGS grade
4	MS64 PCGS grade
4	MS64 PCGS grade
4	MS64 PCGS grade
4	MS64 PCGS grade
12	MS65 estimated grade

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

#2 MS65 PCGS grade

#4 MS64 PCGS grade

Dick Osburn Collection -
Stack's/Bowers 8/2011:7092, $4,025

#4 MS64 PCGS grade

#12 MS65 estimated grade

Ron Guth:

The 1866-S Half Dollar has a hefty mintage of nearly a million coins, but because of the remote location of the San Francisco Mint, the survival rate of high-grade examples is smaller than coins from the Philadelphia Mint with similar mintages. For example, the 1866 With Motto Half Dollar has a smaller mintage than the 1866-S With Motto, yet the number of certified examples of the former is fifty percent higher than the latter. This explains why Mint State 1866-S With Motto Half Dollars command a substantial premium over the 1866 With Motto.

This date comes with a tiny mintmark. Most examples are well struck in the centers, but often show weakness in the stars on either side of Liberty's head.