1862-S 50C (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Seated Half Dollars 1839-1891

PCGS MS66

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PCGS MS65

PCGS MS64

PCGS #:: 6308

Designer:: Thomas Sully/Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 30.00 millimeters

Weight:: 12.40 grams

Mintage:: 1,352,000

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $47,000 • MS66 • 07-16-2020 • Legend Rare Coin Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (7)

Major Varieties

1862-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	700	R-5.6	38 / 66 TIE	64 / 126 TIE
60 or Better	60	R-8.4	38 / 66 TIE	62 / 126 TIE
65 or Better	1	R-10.0	1 / 66 TIE	1 / 126 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	700
60 or Better	60
65 or Better	1

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-5.6
60 or Better	R-8.4
65 or Better	R-10.0

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	38 / 66 TIE
60 or Better	38 / 66 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 66 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	64 / 126 TIE
60 or Better	62 / 126 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 126 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS66 PCGS grade	John H. Clapp Collection, sold intact in 1942 - Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:1994, $14,300 - Bowers & Merena 11/2001:4140, $16,100 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part III - Heritage 5/2015:98480, $42,300 - Ivy Collection (PCGS Set Registry) - MS12 Collection (PCGS Set Registry)
2	MS65 PCGS grade
3	MS64 PCGS grade	Dick Osburn Collection - Stack's/Bowers 8/2011:7081, $6,325 - Richard Jewell Collection - Stack's/Bowers 8/2013:4180, $5,170 - Heritage 1/2014:4504, $4,700 - D.L. Hansen Collection
3	MS64 PCGS grade
3	MS64 PCGS grade
3	MS64 PCGS grade
3	MS64 PCGS grade
3	MS64 PCGS grade
3	MS64 PCGS grade
3	MS64 PCGS grade

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

John H. Clapp Collection, sold intact in 1942 - Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:1994, $14,300 - Bowers & Merena 11/2001:4140, $16,100 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part III - Heritage 5/2015:98480, $42,300 - Ivy Collection (PCGS Set Registry) - MS12 Collection (PCGS Set Registry)

#2 MS65 PCGS grade

#3 MS64 PCGS grade

Dick Osburn Collection - Stack's/Bowers 8/2011:7081, $6,325 - Richard Jewell Collection - Stack's/Bowers 8/2013:4180, $5,170 - Heritage 1/2014:4504, $4,700 - D.L. Hansen Collection

#3 MS64 PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

In 1862, employees at the San Francisco Mint produced over 1.3 million Half Dollars. Most of those coins were destined to enter circulation. Only a few nice ones found their way into coin collections (such was the destiny of most San Francisco Mint products during the late 1800's). The average quality of a Mint State 1862-S Half Dollar is MS63, with fairly equal amounts of MS62 and MS64 examples on either side. Gems are exceedingly rare, with only two known that are MS65 or better. The finest is the PCGS MS66 (formerly of the Eliasberg and Gardner collections). The strike quality of this date is usually strong, but keep an eye on the stars at the top of the obverse -- they are often flat.