1864-S 50C (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Seated Half Dollars 1839-1891

PCGS MS66

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PCGS MS63

PCGS #:: 6312

Designer:: Thomas Sully/Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 30.00 millimeters

Weight:: 12.40 grams

Mintage:: 658,000

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $74,750 • MS67 • 03-01-2007 • Heritage Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (6)

Major Varieties

1864-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	450	R-6.1	15 / 66 TIE	28 / 126 TIE
60 or Better	25	R-9.0	17 / 66 TIE	29 / 126 TIE
65 or Better	4	R-9.8	13 / 66 TIE	18 / 126 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	450
60 or Better	25
65 or Better	4

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-6.1
60 or Better	R-9.0
65 or Better	R-9.8

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	15 / 66 TIE
60 or Better	17 / 66 TIE
65 or Better	13 / 66 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	28 / 126 TIE
60 or Better	29 / 126 TIE
65 or Better	18 / 126 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS66 PCGS grade	Larry Whitlow, sold privately in 5/2004 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 10/2014:98505, $19,387.50
1	MS66 estimated grade	Superior 2/2002:2056, $19,550 - Heritage 3/2007:807, $74,750
3	MS65 PCGS grade
3	MS65 PCGS grade
3	MS65 estimated grade	Stack’s 10/2006:1213, $18,400
3	MS65 estimated grade
7	MS64 PCGS grade
8	MS63 PCGS grade	Dick Osburn Collection - Stack's/Bowers 8/2011:7085, $3,738
8	MS63 PCGS grade
8	MS63 PCGS grade

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

Larry Whitlow, sold privately in 5/2004 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 10/2014:98505, $19,387.50

#1 MS66 estimated grade

Superior 2/2002:2056, $19,550 - Heritage 3/2007:807, $74,750

#3 MS65 PCGS grade

#3 MS65 estimated grade

Stack’s 10/2006:1213, $18,400

#3 MS65 estimated grade

#7 MS64 PCGS grade

#8 MS63 PCGS grade

Dick Osburn Collection -
Stack's/Bowers 8/2011:7085, $3,738

#8 MS63 PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

The 1864-S Half Dollar is scarce in most grades and, like other San Francisco coinage of this period, it is a condition-rarity due to the fact that most of the mintage went directly into commerce and few pieces were saved by collectors. The few Mint State pieces that appear on the market are usually in MS63. Anything better is extremely rare. The best is a single NGC MS67 -- a coin that jumped from $19,550 in 2002 to $74,750 five years later, reflecting its extreme rarity -- it has not reappeared at auction since.

Most examples we've seen are well-struck in the centers with perhaps some weakness on portions of the denticles. The luster is generally soft and satiny.