1842-O 50C Small Date, Rev. of 1839 (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Seated Half Dollars 1839-1891

PCGS MS62

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PCGS AU58

PCGS #:: 6238

Designer:: Thomas Sully/Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 30.00 millimeters

Weight:: 13.36 grams

Mintage:: 203,000

Mint:: New Orleans

Metal:: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $43,125 • MS62 • 01-01-2009 • Heritage Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (4)

Major Varieties

1842-O 50C Small Date, Rev. of 1839
1842-O 50C Medium Date, Rev 1842

Die Varieties

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Price Guide (USD)

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - NGC Graded

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Current Auctions - NGC Graded

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	100	R-8.0	4 / 66	5 / 126
60 or Better	4	R-9.8	4 / 66 TIE	7 / 126 TIE
65 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 66	1 / 126

Survival Estimate
All Grades	100
60 or Better	4
65 or Better

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-8.0
60 or Better	R-9.8
65 or Better	R-10.1

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	4 / 66
60 or Better	4 / 66 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 66

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	5 / 126
60 or Better	7 / 126 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 126

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS63 PCGS grade
2	MS62 PCGS grade	Dick Osburn Collection - Stack’s/Bowers 8/2012:11446, not sold
2	MS62 estimated grade	Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:1921 - Douglas L. Noblet Collection - Bowers & Merena 1/1999:72, $24,150 - Dick Osburn Collection - Stack's/Bowers 8/2011:7011 - Dick Osburn, sold privately in 8/2012 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 6/2014:30487, $29,375
4	AU58 PCGS grade
4	AU58 PCGS grade
6	AU55 PCGS grade
6	AU55 PCGS grade
8	AU50 PCGS grade
8	AU50 PCGS grade
10	XF45 PCGS grade

#1 MS63 PCGS grade

#2 MS62 PCGS grade

Dick Osburn Collection - Stack’s/Bowers 8/2012:11446, not sold

#2 MS62 estimated grade

Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:1921 - Douglas L. Noblet Collection - Bowers & Merena 1/1999:72, $24,150 - Dick Osburn Collection - Stack's/Bowers 8/2011:7011 - Dick Osburn, sold privately in 8/2012 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 6/2014:30487, $29,375

#4 AU58 PCGS grade

#6 AU55 PCGS grade

#8 AU50 PCGS grade

#10 XF45 PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

In a survey of the members of the Liberty Seated Collectors Club, published in the March 2008 issue of the Gobrecht Journal, the 1842-O Small Date Half Dollar was ranked fourth among the Ten Greatest New Orleans Seated Coins: "This is a very rare date that is usually found in average circulated grades. It is very rare in mint state with the Eliasberg specimen being described as MS-62, prooflike, probably the finest known when it appeared at auction by Bowers and Merena in April 1997. Only two respondents placed this issue at the top of their list but it received generally strong support with 67% of the members placing it in the 2nd through 8th position in their listing."