1897 50C

1897-S 50C

1897-O 50C (Regular Strike)

Series: Barber Half Dollars 1892-1915

PCGS MS68

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PCGS MS67

PCGS #:: 6478

Designer:: Charles E. Barber

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 30.00 millimeters

Weight:: 12.50 grams

Mintage:: 632,000

Mint:: New Orleans

Metal:: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $43,125 • MS67 • 01-01-2009 • Heritage Auctions

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1897-O 50C

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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	1,000	R-5.0	2 / 74 TIE	2 / 74 TIE
60 or Better	150	R-7.5	11 / 74	11 / 74
65 or Better	60	R-8.4	40 / 74 TIE	40 / 74 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	1,000
60 or Better	150
65 or Better	60

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-5.0
60 or Better	R-7.5
65 or Better	R-8.4

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	2 / 74 TIE
60 or Better	11 / 74
65 or Better	40 / 74 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	2 / 74 TIE
60 or Better	11 / 74
65 or Better	40 / 74 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS68 PCGS grade	John M. Clapp Collection, purchased directly from the New Orleans Mint in 11/1897 - John H. Clapp Collection, sold intact in 1942 - Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:2080, $26,400 - Benson Collection, Part II - Goldbergs 2/2002:1067, $25,300
2	MS67 PCGS grade	U.S. Coins, Inc. - Dale Friend Collection - Heritage 1/2009:3877, $43,125 - Greensboro Collection, Part VI - Heritage 10/2015:3282, $25,850
2	MS67 PCGS grade	David Akers, sold privately in 3/2003 - Dr. & Mrs. Steven L. Duckor Collection - Heritage 8/2010:3189, $37,375 - Joseph O'Connor, sold privately on 10/2010 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 10/2014:98549, $35,250
2	MS67 estimated grade	Andre Dawson Collection - Heritage 9/1998:6784, $20,125 - Heritage 1/2005:4215, $17,825 - John C. Hugon Collection - Heritage 11/2005:2145, $19,550
5	MS66+ PCGS grade	Abe Kosoff - Northern Bay Collection, Part III - Stack's 5/2006:395 - Harry Laibstain, sokld privately on 7/1/2006 - Dr. Peter & Janice Shireman Collection - Heritage 1/2016:5391, $14,687.50 - “Srotag” Collection
6	MS66 PCGS grade
6	MS66 PCGS grade	Heritage 7/2003:7720, $8,912.50
6	MS66 PCGS grade
6	MS66 PCGS grade
10	MS65 PCGS grade	Heritage 9/2006:1976, $8,625

#1 MS68 PCGS grade

John M. Clapp Collection, purchased directly from the New Orleans Mint in 11/1897 - John H. Clapp Collection, sold intact in 1942 - Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:2080, $26,400 - Benson Collection, Part II - Goldbergs 2/2002:1067, $25,300

#2 MS67 PCGS grade

U.S. Coins, Inc. - Dale Friend Collection - Heritage 1/2009:3877, $43,125 - Greensboro Collection, Part VI - Heritage 10/2015:3282, $25,850

#2 MS67 PCGS grade

David Akers, sold privately in 3/2003 - Dr. & Mrs. Steven L. Duckor Collection - Heritage 8/2010:3189, $37,375 - Joseph O'Connor, sold privately on 10/2010 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 10/2014:98549, $35,250

#2 MS67 estimated grade

Andre Dawson Collection - Heritage 9/1998:6784, $20,125 - Heritage 1/2005:4215, $17,825 - John C. Hugon Collection - Heritage 11/2005:2145, $19,550

#5 MS66+ PCGS grade

Abe Kosoff - Northern Bay Collection, Part III - Stack's 5/2006:395 - Harry Laibstain, sokld privately on 7/1/2006 - Dr. Peter & Janice Shireman Collection - Heritage 1/2016:5391, $14,687.50 - “Srotag” Collection

#6 MS66 PCGS grade

Heritage 7/2003:7720, $8,912.50

#6 MS66 PCGS grade

#10 MS65 PCGS grade

Heritage 9/2006:1976, $8,625

Ron Guth:

Akers' assessment of the 1897-O Half Dollar has turned out to be correct: it is, indeed, a scarce date overall, but in Mint State it simply blends in with a number of other dates that have similar population profiles. It is certainly not the great rarity that the small mintage might suggest. In fact, it is one of the few dates in the series where an MS68 example represents the top end of the Condition Census. In this case, the sole PCGS MS68 is an absolutely spectacular coin that was called "possibly a presentation strike, or branch mint proof" when it appeared in 1997 as part of the famed Louis Eliasberg Collection. On the other hand, it's NGC MS68 counterpart is fully frosted and has a completely different "look." In lower Mint State grades, collectors have their choice pof approximately four dozen examples in a range of grades from MS61 to MS67. The 1897-O Half Dollar is usually struck well.

David Akers: For many years, the 1897-O was considered to be one of the greatest rarities in the entire series; in fact, it was thought to be at the same rarity level as the 1896-O, 1901-O, 1901-S and a number of other issues. Much of this thinking, of course, was due to the issue's low mintage of only 632,000 pieces. It is true that in circulated grades this is one of the most difficult to obtain of all the Barber Half issues; however, in recent years, say the last 15-20, it has become apparent that the 1897-O is not quite as rare in Gem condition as previously thought, at least not when compared to some other issues of the series. However, rarity is a relative concept to a large degree, and although it may no longer be correct to consider the 1897-O one of the rarest issues of the Barber Half Dollar series in Gem condition, it is certainly very scarce, if not rare, in terms of the total number of such specimens known.