1872-S 50C (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Seated Half Dollars 1839-1891

PCGS MS66+

PCGS MS66+

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PCGS MS65

PCGS MS65

PCGS MS64

PCGS MS64

PCGS #:
6335
Designer:
Thomas Sully/Christian Gobrecht
Edge:
Reeded
Diameter:
30.00 millimeters
Weight:
12.40 grams
Mintage:
580,000
Mint:
San Francisco
Metal:
90% Silver, 10% Copper
Current Auctions - PCGS Graded
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
Numismatic
Rarity
Relative Rarity
By Type
Relative Rarity
By Series
All Grades 500 R-6.0 14 / 45 TIE 36 / 126 TIE
60 or Better 30 R-8.9 9 / 45 TIE 32 / 126 TIE
65 or Better 2 R-9.9 2 / 45 12 / 126 TIE
Survival Estimate
All Grades 500
60 or Better 30
65 or Better 2
Numismatic Rarity
All Grades R-6.0
60 or Better R-8.9
65 or Better R-9.9
Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades 14 / 45 TIE
60 or Better 9 / 45 TIE
65 or Better 2 / 45
Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades 36 / 126 TIE
60 or Better 32 / 126 TIE
65 or Better 12 / 126 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos Grade Image Pedigree and History
1 MS66+ PCGS grade

Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena's 4/1997:2021, $13,200 - George "Buddy" Byers Collection - Stack’s 10/2006:1243 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 6/2014:30515, $29,375 - Stack's/Bowers & Sotheby's 10/2015:40, not sold - Stack's/Bowers & Sotheby's 2/2016:131, not sold - Stack's/Bowers 4/2016:13082, not sold - D.L. Hansen Collection

2 MS65 PCGS grade

Lyman H. Low 7/1903:1020, $3.25 (per Saul Teichman) - J. M. Clapp Collection - John H. Clapp Collection, sold intact in 1942 - Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:2020, $8,250 - Bowers & Merena 11/2001:4144, $10,925 - Malibu Collection - Bowers & Merena 11/2010:2052, $20,700

2 MS65 PCGS grade

Ray Levoi Collection

2 MS65 PCGS grade
2 MS65 PCGS grade
2 MS65 estimated grade

"Colonel" E.H.R. Green Collection - Partnership of Eric P. Newman & B.G. Johnson (d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.) - Eric P. Newman, who paid $25.00 - Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society - Heritage 11/2013:33478, $21,150

7 MS64 PCGS grade

Douglas L. Noblet Collection - Bowers & Merena 1/1999:165, $1,783 - Heritage 5/2005:7194, $3,738 - Dick Osburn Collection - Stack's/Bowers 8/2011:7109, $6,900 - Heritage 9/2016:5515, $4,230

7 MS64 PCGS grade
7 MS64 PCGS grade
7 MS64 estimated grade
#1 MS66+ PCGS grade

Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena's 4/1997:2021, $13,200 - George "Buddy" Byers Collection - Stack’s 10/2006:1243 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 6/2014:30515, $29,375 - Stack's/Bowers & Sotheby's 10/2015:40, not sold - Stack's/Bowers & Sotheby's 2/2016:131, not sold - Stack's/Bowers 4/2016:13082, not sold - D.L. Hansen Collection

#2 MS65 PCGS grade

Lyman H. Low 7/1903:1020, $3.25 (per Saul Teichman) - J. M. Clapp Collection - John H. Clapp Collection, sold intact in 1942 - Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:2020, $8,250 - Bowers & Merena 11/2001:4144, $10,925 - Malibu Collection - Bowers & Merena 11/2010:2052, $20,700

#2 MS65 PCGS grade

Ray Levoi Collection

#2 MS65 PCGS grade
#2 MS65 PCGS grade
#2 MS65 estimated grade

"Colonel" E.H.R. Green Collection - Partnership of Eric P. Newman & B.G. Johnson (d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.) - Eric P. Newman, who paid $25.00 - Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society - Heritage 11/2013:33478, $21,150

#7 MS64 PCGS grade

Douglas L. Noblet Collection - Bowers & Merena 1/1999:165, $1,783 - Heritage 5/2005:7194, $3,738 - Dick Osburn Collection - Stack's/Bowers 8/2011:7109, $6,900 - Heritage 9/2016:5515, $4,230

#7 MS64 PCGS grade
#7 MS64 PCGS grade
#7 MS64 estimated grade
Ron Guth:

Based on the mintage alone, the 1872-S Half Dollar looks to be a common coin. That is essentially true in circulated grades, but in Mint State, this date becomes a real condition-rarity. Very few Mint State examples exist and most are of average quality (MS62 to MS64). As with many of the coins from the western Mints in the 1870's, there simply weren't enough collectors who cared or they probably did not have access to the coins outside of plucking them from circulation. As a result, prices for the 1872-S Half Dollar are quite strong in Mint State and the prices rise astronomically above MS64. The strike on this date is usually good, though we recommend keeping an eye on those 7th and 8th stars.