1870-S 50C (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Seated Half Dollars 1839-1891

PCGS MS65

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PCGS MS65

PCGS MS64+

PCGS #:: 6329

Designer:: Thomas Sully/Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 30.00 millimeters

Weight:: 12.40 grams

Mintage:: 1,004,000

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $90,000 • MS65 • 01-15-2023 • Heritage Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (5)

Major Varieties

1870-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	400	R-6.2	9 / 45	21 / 126 TIE
60 or Better	25	R-9.0	8 / 45	29 / 126 TIE
65 or Better	3	R-9.8	3 / 45 TIE	18 / 126 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	400
60 or Better	25
65 or Better	3

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-6.2
60 or Better	R-9.0
65 or Better	R-9.8

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	9 / 45
60 or Better	8 / 45
65 or Better	3 / 45 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	21 / 126 TIE
60 or Better	29 / 126 TIE
65 or Better	18 / 126 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS65 PCGS grade	Usibelli Collection - Heritage 1/2014:5255, $67,562.50
1	MS65 PCGS grade	Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:2013 - Richard Genaitis Collection - Heritage 10/2001:6991 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 10/2014:98510, $55,812.50
3	MS64 PCGS grade	Dick Osburn Collection - Stack's/Bowers 8/2011:7102, $34,500
3	MS64 PCGS grade
3	MS64 estimated grade
6	MS63+ PCGS grade
7	MS63 PCGS grade
7	MS63 PCGS grade
7	MS63 PCGS grade
7	MS63 PCGS grade

#1 MS65 PCGS grade

Usibelli Collection - Heritage 1/2014:5255, $67,562.50

#1 MS65 PCGS grade

Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:2013 - Richard Genaitis Collection - Heritage 10/2001:6991 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 10/2014:98510, $55,812.50

#3 MS64 PCGS grade

Dick Osburn Collection - Stack's/Bowers 8/2011:7102, $34,500

#3 MS64 PCGS grade

#3 MS64 estimated grade

#6 MS63+ PCGS grade

#7 MS63 PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

In 1870, employees at the San Francisco Mint produced over one million Half Dollars. This was larger than the Half Dollar production at the Philadelphia and Carson City Mints combined. Nonetheless, because of the great distance between the San Francisco Mint and collectors back East, very few 1870-S Half Dollars ended up in collections. This is best illustrated by comparing the 1870-S with the 1871, which has a slightly larger mintage than the 1870-S. However, far more Uncirculated examples of the 1871 have survived compared with the 1870-S. This large discrepancy can be attributed to the presence of far more collectors surrounding the Philadelphia Mint.

Less than two dozen Mint State 1870-S Half Dollars exist. Most grade MS62. Gems are extremely rare and none are known above MS65.