1853-O 50C No Arrows

1856-O 50C

1856 50C (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Seated Half Dollars 1839-1891

PCGS MS66

View More Images

PCGS MS65+

PCGS MS65

PCGS #:: 6287

Designer:: Thomas Sully/Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 30.00 millimeters

Weight:: 12.40 grams

Mintage:: 938,000

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $16,450 • MS66 • 05-12-2015 • Heritage Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (10)

Major Varieties

1856 50C

Die Varieties

Go To Grade

Price Guide (USD)

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - NGC Graded

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 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	800	R-5.4	44 / 66 TIE	72 / 126 TIE
60 or Better	100	R-8.0	49 / 66 TIE	79 / 126 TIE
65 or Better	5	R-9.7	22 / 66 TIE	41 / 126 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	800
60 or Better	100
65 or Better	5

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-5.4
60 or Better	R-8.0
65 or Better	R-9.7

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	44 / 66 TIE
60 or Better	49 / 66 TIE
65 or Better	22 / 66 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	72 / 126 TIE
60 or Better	79 / 126 TIE
65 or Better	41 / 126 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS66 PCGS grade	Rare Coin Wholesalers, sold privately in 9/2011 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 5/2015:98473, $16,450
1	MS66 PCGS grade
3	MS65+ PCGS grade	Heritage 1/2017:4365, $5,170 - D.L. Hansen Collection
4	MS65 PCGS grade	Heritage 2/2007:3484, $6,325
4	MS65 PCGS grade
4	MS65 PCGS grade
4	MS65 PCGS grade
4	MS65 estimated grade
4	MS65 estimated grade
10	MS64+ PCGS grade	Heritage 1/2014:4493, $3,055

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

Rare Coin Wholesalers, sold privately in 9/2011 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 5/2015:98473, $16,450

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

#3 MS65+ PCGS grade

Heritage 1/2017:4365, $5,170 - D.L. Hansen Collection

#4 MS65 PCGS grade

Heritage 2/2007:3484, $6,325

#4 MS65 PCGS grade

#4 MS65 estimated grade

#10 MS64+ PCGS grade

Heritage 1/2014:4493, $3,055

Ron Guth:

The 1856 Half Dollar has a fairly substantial mintage of 938,000 coins, thus it is priced at only a small premium over the normal No Motto type value. Compared to other dates with much larger mintages, this date is an excellent value. Mint State examples are scrace but not rare, and they can be found in grades up to and including MS64. The PCGS CoinFacts Condition Census contains nine coins that are MS65 or better, including a pair of MS66's at the top end. Don't expect a strong strike on this date, though. For some reason, most 1856 Half Dollars show weakness in the stars on the right side of the obverse. Some examples are just plain flat overall.