1860-S 50C (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Seated Half Dollars 1839-1891

PCGS MS64

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PCGS MS64

PCGS #:: 6301

Designer:: Thomas Sully/Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 30.00 millimeters

Weight:: 12.40 grams

Mintage:: 472,000

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $22,913 • MS64 • 10-28-2021 • Legend Rare Coin Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (3)

Major Varieties

1860-S 50C

Die Varieties

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Price Guide (USD)

PCGS Population

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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	600	R-5.8	27 / 66 TIE	48 / 126 TIE
60 or Better	50	R-8.5	32 / 66 TIE	51 / 126 TIE
65 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 66	1 / 126

Survival Estimate
All Grades	600
60 or Better	50
65 or Better

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-5.8
60 or Better	R-8.5
65 or Better	R-10.1

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	27 / 66 TIE
60 or Better	32 / 66 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 66

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	48 / 126 TIE
60 or Better	51 / 126 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 126

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS64 PCGS grade	Heritage 1/2004:5910 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 6/2014:30505, $7,050
1	MS64 PCGS grade	Richard Jewell Collection - Stack's/Bowers 8/2013:4171, $12,925
1	MS64 PCGS grade	Heritage 3/2014:10364, $5,287.50
1	MS64 PCGS grade
1	MS64 PCGS grade
1	MS64 PCGS grade
1	MS64 PCGS grade
1	MS64 PCGS grade
9	MS63 PCGS grade	Dick Osburn Collection - Stack's/Bowers 8/2011:7073, $1,363
9	MS63 PCGS grade

#1 MS64 PCGS grade

Heritage 1/2004:5910 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 6/2014:30505, $7,050

#1 MS64 PCGS grade

Richard Jewell Collection - Stack's/Bowers 8/2013:4171, $12,925

#1 MS64 PCGS grade

Heritage 3/2014:10364, $5,287.50

#1 MS64 PCGS grade

#9 MS63 PCGS grade

Dick Osburn Collection -
Stack's/Bowers 8/2011:7073, $1,363

#9 MS63 PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

In 1860, the U.S. Mints at Philadelphia, San Francisco, and New Orleans struck Half Dollars. The 1860-O had the largest mintage by far, and the 1860-S and 1860 Half Dollars were a distant second and third, respectively. However, they all survived at different rates, and the 1860-S Half Dollars, because they were far from collectors became much rarer than their eastern counterparts In fact, the 1860-S is the rarest and most valuable of the three, at least as far as certified examples go, and it is the scarcest date from the 1860s with the exception of the 1866-S No Motto (we don't count the unique 1866 No Motto Half Dollar).

The typical 1860-S Half Dollar is well struck. Occasionally, clashmarks can be seen in the right obverse field. The reverses come with Large and Medium-size mintmarks.