PCGS MS64+
PCGS MS64
- PCGS #:
- 6264
- Designer:
- Thomas Sully/Christian Gobrecht
- Edge:
- Reeded
- Diameter:
- 30.00 millimeters
- Weight:
- 13.36 grams
- Mintage:
- 227,000
- Mint:
- Philadelphia
- Metal:
- 90% Silver, 10% Copper
- Auction Record:
- $117,500 • MS67 • 05-12-2015 • Heritage Auctions
Major Varieties
- 1850 50C
Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More
| Survival Estimate | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | 600 |
| 60 or Better | 50 |
| 65 or Better | 3 |
| Numismatic Rarity | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | R-5.8 |
| 60 or Better | R-8.5 |
| 65 or Better | R-9.8 |
| Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | 27 / 66 TIE |
| 60 or Better | 32 / 66 TIE |
| 65 or Better | 13 / 66 TIE |
| Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | 48 / 126 TIE |
| 60 or Better | 51 / 126 TIE |
| 65 or Better | 18 / 126 TIE |
Condition Census What Is This?
|
#1 MS67 PCGS grade
William M. Friesner Collection - Edouard Frossard 6/1894 - John M. Clapp Collection - John H. Clapp Collection, sold intact in 1942 - Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:1949, $46,200 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 5/2015:98469, $117,500 - “Perfection 8A” Collection (PCGS Set Registry) |
|
#2 MS65+ PCGS grade
Heritage 1/2004:5904, $23,000 - Bowers & Merena 11/2010:2005, $30,187.50 |
|
#3 MS64 PCGS grade
“TMae” Collection (PCGS Set Registry) |
#3 MS64 PCGS grade
|
|
#3 MS64 PCGS grade
Virginia Cabinet Collection - Heritage 4/2015:4477, $5,640 - Legend Rare Coin Auctions 1/2017:190, $6,756.25 |
| #3 MS64 PCGS grade |
| #3 MS64 PCGS grade |
| #3 MS64 PCGS grade |
| #3 MS64 PCGS grade |
| #3 MS64 PCGS grade |
Usually, the mintage for a coin struck at the Philadelphia Mint is larger than that of similar-dated coins struck at the subsidiary, or branch, Mints. However, that is not always the case because sometimes the Philadelphia Mint is distracted by other projects. Such was the case in 1850. With large amounts of gold coming in from California, the Philadelphia Mint focused on producing the new $20 gold piece, the new-ish Gold Dollar, and the Quarter Eagle. In that environment, Mint employees at Philadelphia struck only 227,000 Half Dollars -- a record low for that denomination since 1815.
As might be expected, the 1850 Half Dollar is scarce in all grades, rare in Mint State, and extremely rare above MS64. The strike quality of this date is inconsistent. We've seen everything from fully struck examples, those that have weak stars or weak talons and feathers on the reverse, and everything in-between. MS63 to MS64 seem to be the typical grades for this date.