1856-S 50C AU58 Certification #81833383, PCGS #6289

CoinFacts Details

Owner's Comments

WB-101, WB-2, R4. Gerry Fortin Rare Coins Online Auctions. 3/7/21. Formerly Sunset Collection of Mint State Liberty Seated Half Dollars.

Expert Comments

Ron Guth

The 1856-S Half Dollar is inherently scarce because of its low mintage, but it is even more rare because collectors saved precious few examples back in the year of issue. A quick look at the PCGS Population Report indicates just how few Mint State 1856-S Half Dollars have survived. Most grade in the low to middle range, with only one or two examples better than MS63. The strike quality on this date is generally strong. At least one of the PCGS MS64 examples shows some streaking of the planchet caused by improper mixing of the metal alloy, but this appears to be rare (since this was only the second year of production at the San Francisco Mint, perhaps some minor glitches can be forgiven).

PCGS #

6289

Designer

Thomas Sully/Christian Gobrecht

Edge

Reeded

Diameter

30.00 millimeters

Weight

12.40 grams

Mintage

211000

Metal

90% Silver, 10% Copper

Pop Higher

Pop Lower

147

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	450	R-6.1	15 / 66 TIE	28 / 126 TIE
All Grades	6	R-9.7	8 / 66 TIE	11 / 126 TIE
60 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 66	1 / 126

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	450
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-6.1
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	15 / 66 TIE
All Grades	8 / 66 TIE
60 or Better	1 / 66

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	28 / 126 TIE
All Grades	11 / 126 TIE
60 or Better	1 / 126

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS64 PCGS grade	Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:1969, $14,300 - Legend Rare Coin Auctions 9/2015:145, not sold
1	MS64 PCGS grade	Jason Carter, sold privately in 3/2002 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part III - Heritage 5/2015:98475, $12,925 (plate-matched) - Stack's/Bowers 11/2015:20064, not sold
3	MS63 PCGS grade
3	MS63 estimated grade
5	MS62 PCGS grade

#1 MS64 PCGS grade

Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:1969, $14,300 - Legend Rare Coin Auctions 9/2015:145, not sold

#1 MS64 PCGS grade

Jason Carter, sold privately in 3/2002 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part III - Heritage 5/2015:98475, $12,925 (plate-matched) - Stack's/Bowers 11/2015:20064, not sold

#3 MS63 PCGS grade

#3 MS63 estimated grade

#5 MS62 PCGS grade