1840-O 50C (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Seated Half Dollars 1839-1891

PCGS MS66

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PCGS MS64

PCGS #:: 6235

Designer:: Thomas Sully/Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 30.00 millimeters

Weight:: 13.36 grams

Mintage:: 855,100

Mint:: New Orleans

Metal:: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $36,719 • MS66 • 10-27-2014 • Heritage Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (17)

Major Varieties

1840 (O) 50C Rev. of 1839, Medium Letters
1840-O 50C
1840-O 50C, PL

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	30	R-8.9	19 / 66 TIE	32 / 126 TIE
65 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 66	1 / 126

Survival Estimate
All Grades	700
60 or Better	30
65 or Better

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-5.6
60 or Better	R-8.9
65 or Better	R-10.1

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	38 / 66 TIE
60 or Better	19 / 66 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 66

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	64 / 126 TIE
60 or Better	32 / 126 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 126

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS66 PCGS grade	Walwrath Collection - Numismatic Gallery 5/1948:694 - John Jay Pittman Collection - David Akers 5/1998:1521, $33,000 - Stellar Collection - Joseph O'Connor, sold privately in 5/2004 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part II - Heritage 10/2014:98478, $36,718.75 - D.L. Hansen Collection
2	MS64 PCGS grade	Heritage 8/2010:4947, $8,050 - Richard C. Jewell Collection - Stack's/Bowers 8/2013:4111, $10,575 - Heritage 1/2015:4903, $7,637.50
2	MS64 PCGS grade	Legend Rare Coin Auctions 2/2016:228, $9,693.75
4	MS63+ PCGS grade
4	MS63+ PCGS grade
6	MS63 PCGS grade
6	MS63 PCGS grade
6	MS63 PCGS grade
6	MS63 PCGS grade
6	MS63 PCGS grade

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

Walwrath Collection - Numismatic Gallery 5/1948:694 - John Jay Pittman Collection - David Akers 5/1998:1521, $33,000 - Stellar Collection - Joseph O'Connor, sold privately in 5/2004 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part II - Heritage 10/2014:98478, $36,718.75 - D.L. Hansen Collection

#2 MS64 PCGS grade

Heritage 8/2010:4947, $8,050 - Richard C. Jewell Collection - Stack's/Bowers 8/2013:4111, $10,575 - Heritage 1/2015:4903, $7,637.50

#2 MS64 PCGS grade

Legend Rare Coin Auctions 2/2016:228, $9,693.75

#4 MS63+ PCGS grade

#6 MS63 PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

With a mintage of nearly 900,000 coins, the 1840-O Half Dollar is a relatively common coin. The survival rate of this date is higher than most of the other O-Mint dates from the 1840s, though it is not as high as the 1845-O or the 1846-O. Mint State examples are somewhat scarce, but can be found frequently in grades up to MS63. No Gems exist, though a few MS64s come close.

The strike on the 1840-O Half Dollar is above-average for a New Orleans product. Mintmark sizes and positions vary. One variety has a rather obvious die break that splits the lower reverse nearly in two.