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1899-O 50C

1900 50C

1899-S 50C (Regular Strike)

Series: Barber Half Dollars 1892-1915

PCGS MS67

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PCGS MS67

PCGS MS66+

PCGS #:: 6485

Designer:: Charles E. Barber

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 30.00 millimeters

Weight:: 12.50 grams

Mintage:: 1,686,411

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $44,063 • MS68 • 10-27-2014 • Heritage Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (1)

Major Varieties

1899-S 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	2,750	R-4.4	40 / 74 TIE	40 / 74 TIE
60 or Better	250	R-6.6	28 / 74 TIE	28 / 74 TIE
65 or Better	50	R-8.5	29 / 74 TIE	29 / 74 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	2,750
60 or Better	250
65 or Better	50

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-4.4
60 or Better	R-6.6
65 or Better	R-8.5

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	40 / 74 TIE
60 or Better	28 / 74 TIE
65 or Better	29 / 74 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	40 / 74 TIE
60 or Better	28 / 74 TIE
65 or Better	29 / 74 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS68 PCGS grade	Norweb Collection - Bowers & Merena 11/1988:3619 $17,600 - Dr. Thaine B. Price Collection - David Akers 5/1998:147, $18,700 - Heritage 1/1999:6784, $17,825 - Heritage 6/2004:6090 - Belle Glade Collection - Heritage 8/2006:5262, $40,250 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part II - Heritage 10/2014:98552, $44,062.50 - Stack's/Bowers & Sotheby's 10/2015:42, $41,125
2	MS67 PCGS grade	David Akers 8/1995 - Dr. Steven Duckor - Heritage 8/2010:3196, $14,950
2	MS67 PCGS grade	Dale Friend Collection - Heritage 1/2009:3883, $15,525 - Heritage 7/2009:1134, $13,225 - Greensboro Collection, Part V - Heritage 8/2015:4080, $17,625 - Heritage 1/2016:5397, $15,862.50
4	MS66+ PCGS grade	Larry Whitlow, sold privately on 5/9/2001 - Dr. Peter & Janice Shireman Collection - Heritage 1/2016:4111, $10,575
5	MS66 PCGS grade
5	MS66 PCGS grade
5	MS66 PCGS grade
5	MS66 PCGS grade
5	MS66 PCGS grade
5	MS66 estimated grade	Heritage 1/2005:4222, $10,925 - Heritage 1/2010:2557, $10,350

#1 MS68 PCGS grade

Norweb Collection - Bowers & Merena 11/1988:3619 $17,600 - Dr. Thaine B. Price Collection - David Akers 5/1998:147, $18,700 - Heritage 1/1999:6784, $17,825 - Heritage 6/2004:6090 - Belle Glade Collection - Heritage 8/2006:5262, $40,250 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part II - Heritage 10/2014:98552, $44,062.50 - Stack's/Bowers & Sotheby's 10/2015:42, $41,125

#2 MS67 PCGS grade

David Akers 8/1995 - Dr. Steven Duckor - Heritage 8/2010:3196, $14,950

#2 MS67 PCGS grade

Dale Friend Collection - Heritage 1/2009:3883, $15,525 - Heritage 7/2009:1134, $13,225 - Greensboro Collection, Part V - Heritage 8/2015:4080, $17,625 - Heritage 1/2016:5397, $15,862.50

#4 MS66+ PCGS grade

Larry Whitlow, sold privately on 5/9/2001 - Dr. Peter & Janice Shireman Collection - Heritage 1/2016:4111, $10,575

#5 MS66 PCGS grade

#5 MS66 estimated grade

Heritage 1/2005:4222, $10,925 - Heritage 1/2010:2557, $10,350

Ron Guth:

In evaluating David Akers' remarks of years ago, we find that the 1899-S is only slightly scarcer than the 1899-O in terms of overall rarity, but it is actually more common in MS65 and better grades. In fact, the 1899-S is one of the few dates in the Barber Half Dollars series where the top example is an MS68 (not so with the 1899-O, where the finest example is an MS66+).

Collectors can expect the typical 1899-S Half Dollar to be well-struck, with frosty luster, and good eye appeal.

David Akers: In terms of overall rarity, the 1899-S is considerably more rare than the 1899-O, although at the Gem level, the two issues are roughly comparable. In Choice Uncirculated and lower grades, this issue can be located with only a moderate amount of difficulty but, in Gem condition, the 1899-S is very rare with probably no more than 20-25 examples known.