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1904-S 50C

1905-O 50C

1905 50C (Regular Strike)

Series: Barber Half Dollars 1892-1915

PCGS MS68+

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PCGS MS67+

PCGS MS67

PCGS #:: 6501

Designer:: Charles E. Barber

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 30.00 millimeters

Weight:: 12.50 grams

Mintage:: 662,000

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $132,250 • MS68+ • 08-11-2010 • Heritage Auctions

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Major Varieties

1905 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	3,000	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	3,000
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	John Albanese, sold privately in 2/2009 - Dr. Steven Duckor - Heritage 8/2010:3212, $132,250 - Legend Numismatics - “Dime Box Silver” Collection
2	MS67 PCGS grade	Dr. Thaine B. Price Collection - David Akers 5/1998:163, $9,350 - Dr. Stephen Duckor Collection - Heritage 4/2009:2495, $16,100 - Heritage 10/2009:730, $14,950 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part II - Heritage 10/2014:98557, $15,275
2	MS67 PCGS grade	John C. Hugon - Heritage 1/2005:4238, $21,850 - Heritage 4/2006:2060, $21,850 - Heritage 1/2007:999, $25,300 - Greensboro Collection, Part VI - Heritage 10/2015:3297, $16,450
4	MS66+ PCGS grade
4	MS66+ PCGS grade	Bear Collection - Legend Rare Coin Auctions 2/2015:115, $13,512.50
6	MS66 PCGS grade	Harry Laibstain, sold privately on 3/1/2003 - Dr. Peter & Janice Shireman Collection - Heritage 1/2016:4127, $4,935
6	MS66 PCGS grade	Heritage 1/2009:2943, $6,900
6	MS66 PCGS grade
6	MS66 PCGS grade
6	MS66 PCGS grade

#1 MS68+ PCGS grade

John Albanese, sold privately in 2/2009 - Dr. Steven Duckor - Heritage 8/2010:3212, $132,250 - Legend Numismatics - “Dime Box Silver” Collection

#2 MS67 PCGS grade

Dr. Thaine B. Price Collection - David Akers 5/1998:163, $9,350 - Dr. Stephen Duckor Collection - Heritage 4/2009:2495, $16,100 - Heritage 10/2009:730, $14,950 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part II - Heritage 10/2014:98557, $15,275

#2 MS67 PCGS grade

John C. Hugon - Heritage 1/2005:4238, $21,850 - Heritage 4/2006:2060, $21,850 - Heritage 1/2007:999, $25,300 - Greensboro Collection, Part VI - Heritage 10/2015:3297, $16,450

#4 MS66+ PCGS grade

Bear Collection - Legend Rare Coin Auctions 2/2015:115, $13,512.50

#6 MS66 PCGS grade

Harry Laibstain, sold privately on 3/1/2003 - Dr. Peter & Janice Shireman Collection - Heritage 1/2016:4127, $4,935

#6 MS66 PCGS grade

Heritage 1/2009:2943, $6,900

#6 MS66 PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

The 1905 is a scarce, low-mintage date, but it is readily available in Mint State, particularly at the MS64 level. MS63 and MS65 examples are of approximately the same rarity, though the latter is considerably more expensive than the former. As tough as this date might be, it is one of only a few in the series that is represented by an MS68 example -- in this case, a PCGS MS68+ -- making it the single best Barber Half Dollar of any date certified by PCGS. Not surprisingly, that piece was once owned by Dr. Steven Duckor, whose eye for quality was unsurpassed. When it coin sold in 2010, it brought $132,250, a record price for ANY Barber Half Dollar.

David Akers: Only 662,000 pieces were minted of this issue, one of the lowest mintage figures for the entire series regardless of mint. Among Philadelphia Mint issues, the 1905 ranks fifth in low mintage after the 1910, 1913, 1914 and 1915. However, this issue is much more rare than any of those with the sole exception of the 1914. In my experience, the 1905 is also not as rare as the 1903 and 1904, but its very low mintage has gained it a rather greater measure of fame.