1858-S 50C (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Seated Half Dollars 1839-1891

PCGS MS66

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PCGS MS64+

PCGS MS63

PCGS #:: 6295

Designer:: Thomas Sully/Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 30.00 millimeters

Weight:: 12.40 grams

Mintage:: 476,000

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $34,500 • MS66 • 01-01-2007 • Heritage Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (15)

Major Varieties

1858-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	650	R-5.7	37 / 66	61 / 126 TIE
60 or Better	40	R-8.7	25 / 66 TIE	42 / 126 TIE
65 or Better	3	R-9.8	13 / 66 TIE	18 / 126 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	650
60 or Better	40
65 or Better	3

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-5.7
60 or Better	R-8.7
65 or Better	R-9.8

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	37 / 66
60 or Better	25 / 66 TIE
65 or Better	13 / 66 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	61 / 126 TIE
60 or Better	42 / 126 TIE
65 or Better	18 / 126 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS66 PCGS grade	Numismatic Gallery 8/1953:631 - Norweb Collection, Part III - Bowers & Merena 11/1988:3181, $12,100 - Heritage 1/2007:983, $34,500 - Pinnacle Rarities, sold privately in 8/2010 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part II - Heritage 10/2014:98499, $32,900 - Heritage 4/2017:4055, $32,900 - D.L. Hansen Collection
2	MS65 PCGS grade
2	MS65 estimated grade
4	MS64+ PCGS grade	Legend Rare Coin Auctions 12/2019:335, not sold
5	MS64 PCGS grade
5	MS64 PCGS grade
5	MS64 PCGS grade
5	MS64 PCGS grade
5	MS64 PCGS grade
5	MS64 PCGS grade

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

Numismatic Gallery 8/1953:631 - Norweb Collection, Part III - Bowers & Merena 11/1988:3181, $12,100 - Heritage 1/2007:983, $34,500 - Pinnacle Rarities, sold privately in 8/2010 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part II - Heritage 10/2014:98499, $32,900 - Heritage 4/2017:4055, $32,900 - D.L. Hansen Collection

#2 MS65 PCGS grade

#2 MS65 estimated grade

#4 MS64+ PCGS grade

Legend Rare Coin Auctions 12/2019:335, not sold

#5 MS64 PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

In it's fifth year of production, the San Francisco Mint issued 476,000 Half Dollars...a reasonably large mintage for the period, and certainly one that would not be considered rare based on the number of coins struck. However, few nice ones were saved by collectors, making the 1858-S Half Dollar a true condition-rarity. The PCGS CoinFacts Board of Experts thought that as many as 43 examples might have survived in Mint State, but their estimate was made circa 2008 and may be a bit optimistic today. Of the Mint State examples examined by PCGS, virtually all are in the grade range from MS62 to MS64. Gems are exceedingly rare and we know of only one at the MS66 level (that being the remarkable PCGS MS66 from the Norweb and Gene Gardner collections.