1861-S 50C (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Seated Half Dollars 1839-1891

PCGS MS66+

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PCGS MS66

PCGS MS65

PCGS #:: 6306

Designer:: Thomas Sully/Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 30.00 millimeters

Weight:: 12.40 grams

Mintage:: 939,500

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $30,550 • MS66 • 09-29-2016 • Legend Rare Coin Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (11)

Major Varieties

1861-S 50C

Die Varieties

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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	550	R-5.9	26 / 66	47 / 126
60 or Better	60	R-8.4	38 / 66 TIE	62 / 126 TIE
65 or Better	6	R-9.7	22 / 66 TIE	41 / 126 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	550
60 or Better	60
65 or Better	6

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-5.9
60 or Better	R-8.4
65 or Better	R-9.7

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	26 / 66
60 or Better	38 / 66 TIE
65 or Better	22 / 66 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	47 / 126
60 or Better	62 / 126 TIE
65 or Better	41 / 126 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS66 estimated grade
3	MS65 PCGS grade
3	MS65 PCGS grade
3	MS65 PCGS grade
3	MS65 PCGS grade
7	MS64 PCGS grade	Dick Osburn Collection - Stack's/Bowers 8/2011:7079, $3,738
7	MS64 PCGS grade
7	MS64 PCGS grade
7	MS64 PCGS grade

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

#2 MS66 estimated grade

#3 MS65 PCGS grade

#7 MS64 PCGS grade

Dick Osburn Collection -
Stack's/Bowers 8/2011:7079, $3,738

#7 MS64 PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

Of all the coins made by the San Francisco mint in 1861, the Half Dollar had the highest mintage (the only other coin that came close was the 1861-S $20 gold piece). However, this fact does not make the 1861-S Half Dollar necessarily rare. Compared with other Civil War-era Half Dollars, the 1861-S is not as scarce as the 1864-S or the 1865-S, but nowhere near as common as the 1861 or 1861-O.

Of the roughly three dozen Mint State examples certified by PCGS (as of October 2011), the most frequently-encountered grade is MS-64. Gem 1861-S Half Dollars are very rare; the finest known is a single PCGS MS-66.