1803 50C Large 3 VF30 Certification #03811921, PCGS #6066

CoinFacts Details

Owner's Comments

CAC green sticker. Tompkins T-1, O-101, R3. CAC data: (5/1/2025): 7 total, 1 on grade and 1 higher. Obverse 1: Large 3, 1 touches curl. Reverse C: 12 Arrows, Small Stars. Description from Heritage Auction September 7 - 11 Long Beach Expo US Coins Signature Auction - Long Beach #1239 : 1803 50C Large 3, Small Reverse Stars, O-101, T-1, R.3, VF30 PCGS. CAC. The only 1803 die pair that combines the Large 3 obverse with the Small Reverse Stars above the eagle's head. Sharp definition remains throughout this attractive VF example, with deep gray toning at the borders encompassing silver-gray interiors. Only minor marks, none worthy of special mention, are visible with a glass, although some interesting die clashing is discernible in and around the ear. CAC-endorsed. Bought at 2023 Winter FUN in Orlando.

Expert Comments

Ron Guth

1803 Half Dollars are found with either a Large or a Small 3 in the date. The most noticeable difference between the two varieties is the thickness and shape of the top bar and serif of the 3's. The Large 3 is a fairly common variety and appears to be roughly five times more common than the Small 3 variety.

The 1803 Large 3 Half Dollar is extremely rare in Mint State, with only five examples certified thus far by PCGS (as of February 2012). The finest example certified by PCGS is a single MS-64.

PCGS #

6066

Designer

Robert Scot

Edge

Lettered: FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR

Diameter

32.50 millimeters

Weight

13.50 grams

Mintage

188234

Metal

89.2% Silver, 10.8% Copper

Pop Higher

271

Pop Lower

435

Region

The United States of America

Price Guide

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - 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.
65 or Better	1000	R-5.0	9 / 13	12 / 16
All Grades	6	R-9.7	8 / 13 TIE	10 / 16 TIE
60 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 13	1 / 16

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.
65 or Better	1000
All Grades	6
60 or Better	0

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.
65 or Better	R-5.0
All Grades	R-9.7
60 or Better	R-10.1

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.
65 or Better	9 / 13
All Grades	8 / 13 TIE
60 or Better	1 / 13

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.
65 or Better	12 / 16
All Grades	10 / 16 TIE
60 or Better	1 / 16

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS64 PCGS grade	Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:1678, $57,200 - American Numismatic Rarities 8/2006:559, $115,000
2	MS63 PCGS grade	Stack's, sold privately in 5/1976 - Queller Family Collection - Stack's 10/2002:31, $19,550 - Superior 1/2004:2428, $25,875 - Heritage 7/2004:6437, $77,625 - Superior 1/2006:447, not sold - Superior 5/2006:1748, not sold - Stack's 5/2006:1748, $69,000 - Superior 1/2008:156, not sold - Stack's 7/2009:525, $70,000 - Stack's/Bowers 8/2011:7342, not sold - Stack's/Bowers 8/2012:11430, not sold - Stack's/Bowers 7/2013:4105, $88,125 - Heritage 7/2015:3128, $99,875
2	MS63 PCGS grade	Hain Family Collection - Stack's, sold privately in 1/1990 - Stack's 1/2002:1220, $25,300 - D. Brent Pogue Collection, Part I - Stack's/Bowers & Sotheby's 5/2015:1107, $76,375 - Legend Rare Coin Auctions 7/2017:188, not sold - “Chicago” Collection (PCGS Set Registry)
4	MS62 PCGS grade	Heritage 9/2012:4498, $35,250 - Stack's/Bowers 2/2013:2063, $35,250 - Stack's/Bowers 3/2013:2063, $35,250 - Dr. Charles Link Collection
4	MS62 estimated grade

#1 MS64 PCGS grade

Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:1678, $57,200 - American Numismatic Rarities 8/2006:559, $115,000

#2 MS63 PCGS grade

Stack's, sold privately in 5/1976 - Queller Family Collection - Stack's 10/2002:31, $19,550 - Superior 1/2004:2428, $25,875 - Heritage 7/2004:6437, $77,625 - Superior 1/2006:447, not sold - Superior 5/2006:1748, not sold - Stack's 5/2006:1748, $69,000 - Superior 1/2008:156, not sold - Stack's 7/2009:525, $70,000 - Stack's/Bowers 8/2011:7342, not sold - Stack's/Bowers 8/2012:11430, not sold - Stack's/Bowers 7/2013:4105, $88,125 - Heritage 7/2015:3128, $99,875

#2 MS63 PCGS grade

Hain Family Collection - Stack's, sold privately in 1/1990 - Stack's 1/2002:1220, $25,300 - D. Brent Pogue Collection, Part I - Stack's/Bowers & Sotheby's 5/2015:1107, $76,375 - Legend Rare Coin Auctions 7/2017:188, not sold - “Chicago” Collection (PCGS Set Registry)

#4 MS62 PCGS grade

Heritage 9/2012:4498, $35,250 - Stack's/Bowers 2/2013:2063, $35,250 - Stack's/Bowers 3/2013:2063, $35,250 - Dr. Charles Link Collection

#4 MS62 estimated grade