1859-O H10C (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Seated Half Dimes 1837-1873

PCGS MS66+

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PCGS MS66

PCGS MS65+

PCGS #:: 4370

Designer:: Robert Ball Hughes/Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 15.90 millimeters

Weight:: 1.24 grams

Mintage:: 560,000

Mint:: New Orleans

Metal:: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $8,519 • MS66 • 03-31-2017 • Stack's Bowers

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1859-O H10C

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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	400	R-6.2	19 / 36 TIE	36 / 79 TIE
60 or Better	100	R-8.0	19 / 36	36 / 79 TIE
65 or Better	12	R-9.5	14 / 36 TIE	21 / 79 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	400
60 or Better	100
65 or Better	12

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-6.2
60 or Better	R-8.0
65 or Better	R-9.5

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	19 / 36 TIE
60 or Better	19 / 36
65 or Better	14 / 36 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	36 / 79 TIE
60 or Better	36 / 79 TIE
65 or Better	21 / 79 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS66+ PCGS grade	Bob R. Simpson Collection - Tom Bender Collection
2	MS66 PCGS grade	Northern Bay Collection - Stack's 3/2006:4101, $5,463 - Heritage 8/2007:490 - Heritage 4/2008:531 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part IV - Heritage 10/2015:98164, $4,935
2	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS66 estimated grade
6	MS65 PCGS grade
6	MS65 PCGS grade
6	MS65 PCGS grade
6	MS65 PCGS grade
6	MS65 PCGS grade

#1 MS66+ PCGS grade

Bob R. Simpson Collection - Tom Bender Collection

#2 MS66 PCGS grade

Northern Bay Collection - Stack's 3/2006:4101, $5,463 - Heritage 8/2007:490 - Heritage 4/2008:531 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part IV - Heritage 10/2015:98164, $4,935

#2 MS66 PCGS grade

#2 MS66 estimated grade

#6 MS65 PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

In 1859, the New Orleans Mint produced far fewer Half Dimes than in the previous year, dropping the mintage from 1,660,000 coins to a mere 560,000. However, the PCGS Population Report shows the 1859-O to be only twice as rare as the 1858-O, suggesting that collectors may have set aside more of the 1859-O's since this was the last year that New Orleans would produce No Stars Half Dimes.

In general, this date shows the poor strike qualities typical of New Orleans Mint products. Often, the stars are weak; more often, the denticles are weak. Nonetheless, a well-struck 1859-O shows up occasionally and such coins should command a nice premium.

The best example known of this date is a single PCGS MS66+ (illustrated above)