1911-S 50C MS64 Certification #27661929, PCGS #6523

Type: Barber Half Dollar Designer: Charles E. Barber Content: 90% Silver, 10% Copper Weight: 12.50 grams Diameter: 30.00 millimeters Edge: Reeded Mint: San Francisco Production Strikes: 1,272,000 General Type Description: In 1892 the half dollar was redesigned to the so-called Barber type. Designer Charles E. Barber’s Miss Liberty now faces right, her hair is in a Phrygian cap, and a wreath of laurel encircles her head. The word LIBERTY appears on a small band or ribbon above her forehead. IN GOD WE TRUST is above, six stars are to the left, seven stars are to the right, and the date is below. The reverse is an adaptation of the Great Seal of the United States and features a heraldic eagle grasping an olive branch and arrows and holding in its beak a ribbon inscribed E PLURIBUS UNUM. A galaxy of stars is above. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and HALF DOLLAR surround. The same head of Miss Liberty appears on dimes and quarters of the era. Mintage was continuous at the Philadelphia and San Francisco Mints from 1892 through 1915, with additional pieces supplied from New Orleans through 1909 and from Denver beginning in 1906. Unlike the Barber Quarter series, which has some genuinely tough coins, there are no significant rarities in the Barber Half series, although the 1892-O, 1892-S, 1893-S, 1897-O. 1897-S, 1914 and 1915 will be tougher to locate. The type set collector will encounter no difficulty in acquiring specimens in grades of Good or Very Good. Fine pieces, believe it or not, are scarce. Very Fine coins are very scarce and Extremely Fine coins can be called rare in the context of modern issues. AU coins are rarer yet, Uncirculated pieces are still more rare, and superb Uncirculated pieces are very rare. Proofs exist in proportion to their original mintages, which like the quarters, typically ran in the neighborhood of 500 to 900 pieces per year. One of the reason for the scarcity of high grade circulated pieces, is once the coins entered circulation, they tended to remain there many years, and the few XFs and AUs that remained, were often “enhanced” in the 1960s and 1970s and sold as Uncs. (Source: Bowers, W. David. “United States Coins by Design Types - An Action Guide for the Collector and Investor”) Specific Issue Description: This is a very scarce and underrated issue in all mint state grades, and a rare one in Gem. It is significantly more rare in Gem condition than the 1910-S, and it is actually very nearly in the same rarity class as the 1906-1908 San Francisco Mint issues. (Source: Akers, David. PCGS CoinFacts) Exemplar Notes: Sharply detailed in most areas, this attractive Choice example displays a touch of softness on the eagle's leg and claw. Vibrant satiny mint luster radiates from both sides and the creamy surfaces show only a few minor contact marks. Acquired 7/2013 via Heritage Auctions.

Ron Guth

The 1911-S Half Dollar is a scarce, popular issue.  In grades of MS66 and better, it is a true condition-rarity.  Only a half dozen MS66's are known and only a single MS67 has been graded by PCGS - no other S-Mint date since 1900 can claim fewer MS67's.  Despite the extreme rarity of top-end coins, the 1911-S appears to be a great value.  In its last appearance in 2015, the sole PCGS MS67+ sold for $42,300 -- a record price for the date, but not for the series.

In general, the 1911-S Half Dollar is well-made and comes with a strong strike.

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David Akers

This is a very scarce and underrated issue in all mint state grades, and a rare one in Gem. It is significantly more rare in Gem condition than the 1910-S, and it is actually very nearly in the same rarity class as the 1906-1908 San Francisco Mint issues.