1866 50C Motto (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Seated Half Dollars 1839-1891

PCGS MS66+

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PCGS MS66

PCGS #:: 6319

Designer:: Thomas Sully/Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 30.00 millimeters

Weight:: 12.40 grams

Mintage:: 744,900

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $41,125 • MS67* • 10-18-2012 • Heritage Auctions

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1866 50C Motto

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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	650	R-5.7	19 / 45 TIE	61 / 126 TIE
60 or Better	75	R-8.2	20 / 45 TIE	71 / 126 TIE
65 or Better	12	R-9.5	15 / 45 TIE	55 / 126 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	650
60 or Better	75
65 or Better	12

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-5.7
60 or Better	R-8.2
65 or Better	R-9.5

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	19 / 45 TIE
60 or Better	20 / 45 TIE
65 or Better	15 / 45 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	61 / 126 TIE
60 or Better	71 / 126 TIE
65 or Better	55 / 126 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS67 PCGS grade
1	MS67 PCGS grade
1	MS67 estimated grade
4	MS66+ PCGS grade	Heritage 10/2015:3262, $4,935 - Heritage 6/2016:4540, $6,168.75 - Stack's/Bowers 11/2016:2092, not sold
5	MS66 PCGS grade	Heritage 1/2015:4946, $5,170 - Heritage 4/2015:4498, $6,756.25
5	MS66 PCGS grade
5	MS66 estimated grade	Heritage 10/2012:4380, $41,125 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 6/2014:30509, $28,200
8	MS65 PCGS grade
8	MS65 PCGS grade
8	MS65 PCGS grade

#1 MS67 PCGS grade

#1 MS67 estimated grade

#4 MS66+ PCGS grade

Heritage 10/2015:3262, $4,935 - Heritage 6/2016:4540, $6,168.75 - Stack's/Bowers 11/2016:2092, not sold

#5 MS66 PCGS grade

Heritage 1/2015:4946, $5,170 - Heritage 4/2015:4498, $6,756.25

#5 MS66 PCGS grade

#5 MS66 estimated grade

Heritage 10/2012:4380, $41,125 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 6/2014:30509, $28,200

#8 MS65 PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

The motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" made its first appearance on a United States coin in 1864, when it was added to the Two Cents denomination. In 1866, the motto finally made it onto the Half Dollar, at which time it was seen on all denominations except the Indian Cent, Three-Cent Nickel, Three-Cent Silver, Half Dime and Dime.

The mintage for this year is typical of the period -- somewhere between half a million and a million pieces. As such, collectors will have no time finding nice examples of this date. The PCGS CoinFacts Condition Census extends all the way up to MS67, though such examples are very pricey because of their exteme rarity in that grade.