1802 50C

1803 50C Small 3

1803 50C Large 3 (Regular Strike)

Series: Draped Bust Half Dollars 1796-1807

PCGS MS64

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DATE COMPARISON

PCGS MS63+

PCGS #:: 6066

Designer:: Robert Scot

Edge:: Lettered: FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR

Diameter:: 32.50 millimeters

Weight:: 13.50 grams

Mintage:: 188,234

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 89.2% Silver, 10.8% Copper

Auction Record:: $186,000 • MS64 • 01-15-2023 • Heritage Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (6)

Major Varieties

1803 50C Large 3
1803 50C Small 3

Die Varieties

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Price Guide (USD)

PCGS Population

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For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - PCGS Graded

For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - 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.
All Grades	1,000	R-5.0	9 / 13	12 / 16
60 or Better	6	R-9.7	8 / 13 TIE	10 / 16 TIE
65 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 13	1 / 16

Survival Estimate
All Grades	1,000
60 or Better	6
65 or Better

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-5.0
60 or Better	R-9.7
65 or Better	R-10.1

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	9 / 13
60 or Better	8 / 13 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 13

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	12 / 16
60 or Better	10 / 16 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 16

Condition Census What Is This?

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
6	AU58 PCGS grade
6	AU58 PCGS grade
6	AU58 estimated grade	"Colonel" E.H.R. Green Collection - Partnership of Eric P. Newman & Burdette G. Johnson (St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.) - Eric P. Newman, who paid $20 - Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society, Part II - Heritage 11/2013:33421, $30,550 - Stack's/Bowers & Sotheby's 2/2016:126, $30,550
6	AU58 estimated grade	Stack’s 3/1998:486 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part I - Heritage 6/2014:30465, $23,500

#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

#6 AU58 PCGS grade

#6 AU58 estimated grade

"Colonel" E.H.R. Green Collection - Partnership of Eric P. Newman & Burdette G. Johnson (St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.) - Eric P. Newman, who paid $20 - Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society, Part II - Heritage 11/2013:33421, $30,550 - Stack's/Bowers & Sotheby's 2/2016:126, $30,550

#6 AU58 estimated grade

Stack’s 3/1998:486 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part I - Heritage 6/2014:30465, $23,500

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.