1830 50C Large Letters

1832 50C Small Letters

1831 50C (Regular Strike)

Series: Capped Bust Half Dollars 1807-1839

PCGS MS67

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PCGS MS66+

PCGS #:: 6159

Designer:: John Reich

Edge:: Lettered: FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR

Diameter:: 32.50 millimeters

Weight:: 13.50 grams

Mintage:: 5,873,660

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 89.2% Silver, 10.8% Copper

Auction Record:: $51,750 • MS67 • 03-31-2011 • Stack's Bowers

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1831 50C

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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	9,000	R-3.2	68 / 72	73 / 78 TIE
60 or Better	750	R-5.5	68 / 72	74 / 78
65 or Better	50	R-8.5	59 / 72 TIE	64 / 78 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	9,000
60 or Better	750
65 or Better	50

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-3.2
60 or Better	R-5.5
65 or Better	R-8.5

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	68 / 72
60 or Better	68 / 72
65 or Better	59 / 72 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	73 / 78 TIE
60 or Better	74 / 78
65 or Better	64 / 78 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS67 PCGS grade	William H. Woodin Collection - John H. Clapp Collection, sold intact in 1942 - Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:1873, $17,600 - Phil Kaufman Collection - Joseph C. Thomas Collection - Heritage 4/2009:2445, $19,550 - Bowers & Merena 1/2010:366, $19,550 - Stack’s/Bowers 3/2011:1931, $51,750 - High Desert Collection
2	MS66+ PCGS grade	Dr. Charles Link Collection
3	MS66 PCGS grade	High Desert Collection - Heritage 4/2012:5119, $12,650
3	MS66 PCGS grade	Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:1875, $10,450 - Bowers & Merena 7/2003:1508, $??? - American Numismatic Rarities 6/2005:49, $14,950 - D. Brent Pogue Collection - Stack's/Bowers & Sotheby's 2/2016:3075, $16,450
3	MS66 PCGS grade	Goldbergs 1/2015:1384, $15,862.50
3	MS66 PCGS grade	Wayte Raymond, sold privately on 5/14/1946 for $2.25 - John Jay Pittman Collection, Part III - David Akers 5/1998:1496, $18,700 - Stack's 1/2008:471, $18,400 - Stack's 7/2008:4305, $20,470 - Heritage 1/2010:2544, $20,125
3	MS66 PCGS grade
8	MS65+ PCGS grade	Dr. Charles Link Collection
8	MS65+ PCGS grade	Color Collection - Heritage 7/2012:3693, $13,225 - Heritage 4/2015:4444, $11,162.50 - Stack's/Bowers 11/2015:20057, $17,625 - StielCollection

#1 MS67 PCGS grade

William H. Woodin Collection - John H. Clapp Collection, sold intact in 1942 - Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:1873, $17,600 - Phil Kaufman Collection - Joseph C. Thomas Collection - Heritage 4/2009:2445, $19,550 - Bowers & Merena 1/2010:366, $19,550 - Stack’s/Bowers 3/2011:1931, $51,750 - High Desert Collection

#2 MS66+ PCGS grade

Dr. Charles Link Collection

#3 MS66 PCGS grade

High Desert Collection - Heritage 4/2012:5119, $12,650

#3 MS66 PCGS grade

Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:1875, $10,450 - Bowers & Merena 7/2003:1508, $??? - American Numismatic Rarities 6/2005:49, $14,950 - D. Brent Pogue Collection - Stack's/Bowers & Sotheby's 2/2016:3075, $16,450

#3 MS66 PCGS grade

Goldbergs 1/2015:1384, $15,862.50

#3 MS66 PCGS grade

Wayte Raymond, sold privately on 5/14/1946 for $2.25 - John Jay Pittman Collection, Part III - David Akers 5/1998:1496, $18,700 - Stack's 1/2008:471, $18,400 - Stack's 7/2008:4305, $20,470 - Heritage 1/2010:2544, $20,125

#3 MS66 PCGS grade

#8 MS65+ PCGS grade

Dr. Charles Link Collection

#8 MS65+ PCGS grade

Color Collection - Heritage 7/2012:3693, $13,225 - Heritage 4/2015:4444, $11,162.50 - Stack's/Bowers 11/2015:20057, $17,625 - StielCollection

Ron Guth:

The 1831 Half Dollar has one of the largest mintages of the entire Capped Bust series. This, coupled with the fact that there are no major varieties that compete with the regular date, makes the 1831 Half Dollar a plentiful, affordable choice for type collectors.

Hundreds of Mint State examples have been certified, including more than one hundred each at the MS63 and MS64 levels. Even Gem MS65 examples can be found with ease, though they are pricey at this level. Above MS65, the 1831 Half Dollar becomes very rare and the finest example is a single PCGS MS67.

The quality of the strike on an 1831 Half Dollar varies depending on the die variety -- some show weakness on the obverse stars; others appear to be struck from worn dies. With a little hunting, the collector should be able to find a high grade example with close to a full strike. Keep in mind that the PCGS Condition Census is filled with coins grading MS65 or better.