1899-S 50C MS66+ Certification #19806511, PCGS #6485

CoinFacts Details

Owner's Comments

CAC. Whitlow. Very lustrous coin with nice peripheral toning and excellent strike, typical for an S-mint Barber half. A very nice example and only bettered by three coins. One of the issues that was heavily exported to the Philippines, and many saw circulation. The highest graded is an MS 68. Not at all an easy coin to find in gem or above. Knowing the history of the individual issues in the series helps create an appreciation for the rarity of these coins remaining in gem and better condition. The United States went through a lot of changes from the beginning of the production of Barber coins in 1892, up to the ceasing of production of the halves in 1915 and the quarters and dimes the following year.

Expert Comments

Ron Guth

In evaluating David Akers' remarks of years ago, we find that the 1899-S is only slightly scarcer than the 1899-O in terms of overall rarity, but it is actually more common in MS65 and better grades. In fact, the 1899-S is one of the few dates in the Barber Half Dollars series where the top example is an MS68 (not so with the 1899-O, where the finest example is an MS66+).

Collectors can expect the typical 1899-S Half Dollar to be well-struck, with frosty luster, and good eye appeal.

David Akers

In terms of overall rarity, the 1899-S is considerably more rare than the 1899-O, although at the Gem level, the two issues are roughly comparable. In Choice Uncirculated and lower grades, this issue can be located with only a moderate amount of difficulty but, in Gem condition, the 1899-S is very rare with probably no more than 20-25 examples known.

PCGS #

6485

Designer

Charles E. Barber

Edge

Reeded

Diameter

30.00 millimeters

Weight

12.50 grams

Mintage

1686411

Metal

90% Silver, 10% Copper

Pop Higher

Pop Lower

466

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	2750	R-4.4	40 / 74 TIE	40 / 74 TIE
All Grades	250	R-6.6	28 / 74 TIE	28 / 74 TIE
60 or Better	50	R-8.5	29 / 74 TIE	29 / 74 TIE

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	2750
All Grades	250
60 or Better	50

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-4.4
All Grades	R-6.6
60 or Better	R-8.5

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	40 / 74 TIE
All Grades	28 / 74 TIE
60 or Better	29 / 74 TIE

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	40 / 74 TIE
All Grades	28 / 74 TIE
60 or Better	29 / 74 TIE

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS68 PCGS grade	Norweb Collection - Bowers & Merena 11/1988:3619 $17,600 - Dr. Thaine B. Price Collection - David Akers 5/1998:147, $18,700 - Heritage 1/1999:6784, $17,825 - Heritage 6/2004:6090 - Belle Glade Collection - Heritage 8/2006:5262, $40,250 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part II - Heritage 10/2014:98552, $44,062.50 - Stack's/Bowers & Sotheby's 10/2015:42, $41,125
2	MS67 PCGS grade	David Akers 8/1995 - Dr. Steven Duckor - Heritage 8/2010:3196, $14,950
2	MS67 PCGS grade	Dale Friend Collection - Heritage 1/2009:3883, $15,525 - Heritage 7/2009:1134, $13,225 - Greensboro Collection, Part V - Heritage 8/2015:4080, $17,625 - Heritage 1/2016:5397, $15,862.50
4	MS66+ PCGS grade	Larry Whitlow, sold privately on 5/9/2001 - Dr. Peter & Janice Shireman Collection - Heritage 1/2016:4111, $10,575
5	MS66 PCGS grade

#1 MS68 PCGS grade

Norweb Collection - Bowers & Merena 11/1988:3619 $17,600 - Dr. Thaine B. Price Collection - David Akers 5/1998:147, $18,700 - Heritage 1/1999:6784, $17,825 - Heritage 6/2004:6090 - Belle Glade Collection - Heritage 8/2006:5262, $40,250 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part II - Heritage 10/2014:98552, $44,062.50 - Stack's/Bowers & Sotheby's 10/2015:42, $41,125

#2 MS67 PCGS grade

David Akers 8/1995 - Dr. Steven Duckor - Heritage 8/2010:3196, $14,950

#2 MS67 PCGS grade

Dale Friend Collection - Heritage 1/2009:3883, $15,525 - Heritage 7/2009:1134, $13,225 - Greensboro Collection, Part V - Heritage 8/2015:4080, $17,625 - Heritage 1/2016:5397, $15,862.50

#4 MS66+ PCGS grade

Larry Whitlow, sold privately on 5/9/2001 - Dr. Peter & Janice Shireman Collection - Heritage 1/2016:4111, $10,575

#5 MS66 PCGS grade