1857-S 50C (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Seated Half Dollars 1839-1891

PCGS MS66

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PCGS MS62

PCGS AU53

PCGS #:: 6292

Designer:: Thomas Sully/Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 30.00 millimeters

Weight:: 12.40 grams

Mintage:: 158,000

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $91,063 • MS66 • 04-21-2021 • Legend Rare Coin Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (5)

Major Varieties

1857-S 50C

Die Varieties

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Price Guide (USD)

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - NGC Graded

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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	12	R-9.5	10 / 66 TIE	15 / 126 TIE
65 or Better	1	R-10.0	1 / 66 TIE	1 / 126 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	450
60 or Better	12
65 or Better	1

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-6.1
60 or Better	R-9.5
65 or Better	R-10.0

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	15 / 66 TIE
60 or Better	10 / 66 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 66 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	28 / 126 TIE
60 or Better	15 / 126 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 126 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS66 PCGS grade	David Queller Collection - Stack's 10/2002:557 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 6/2014:30502, $61,687.50
2	MS64 PCGS grade
2	MS64 PCGS grade
4	MS63 PCGS grade
5	MS62 PCGS grade
5	MS62 estimated grade
7	MS61 PCGS grade
8	AU58 PCGS grade
8	AU58 PCGS grade	Bowers & Merena 1/1999:124 - Douglas L. Noblet Collection - Dick Osburn Collection - Stack's/Bowers 8/2011:7061, $5,750
8	AU58 estimated grade

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

David Queller Collection - Stack's 10/2002:557 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 6/2014:30502, $61,687.50

#2 MS64 PCGS grade

#4 MS63 PCGS grade

#5 MS62 PCGS grade

#5 MS62 estimated grade

#7 MS61 PCGS grade

#8 AU58 PCGS grade

Bowers & Merena 1/1999:124 -
Douglas L. Noblet Collection -
Dick Osburn Collection -
Stack's/Bowers 8/2011:7061, $5,750

#8 AU58 estimated grade

Ron Guth:

The 1857-S Half Dollar is a low-mintage date that is scarce in all grades and rare in Mint State. Only three dates in the 1850s have lower mintages: 1853-O No Arrows, 1852, and 1852-O. Price-wise, the 1857-S compares favorably with 1852-O and 1856-S, but on the high-end, it really takes off. The best 1857-S Half Dollar is a PCGS MS66 that sold recently out of the Gene Gardner collection for $61,687.50. This impressive coin is finest known by a full two points.