1817/3 50C MS62+ Certification #51194389, PCGS #6111

CoinFacts Details

Expert Comments

Ron Guth

The 1817/3 Half Dollar is an enigmatic overdate that defies explanation. If it were a leftover die from 1813, one would expect the 13th obverse star to show the notched point that is believed to be the "signature" of engraver John Reich. Reich resigned his position in March 1817, after which the notching of the stars ended. This suggests that the new engraver simply made an error by punching a 3 into the die, then corrected it with the proper 7 punch. But, why would the engraver have picked up a punch for a 3? That would have been an egregious oversight on the engraver's part, especially since he was four year's away from a need for a 3, plus there is no U.S. coin from 1817 where a 3 might be used in either a legend, motto, or denomination.

Regardless of the reason for this variety, it is extremely popular with collectors. Only one die combination (Overton 101, and it's later die state Overton 101a) utilize this obverse. In most grades, the 1817/3 Half Dollar is fairly common, but in Mint State, it becomes very rare.

PCGS #

6111

Designer

John Reich

Edge

Lettered: FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR

Diameter

32.50 millimeters

Weight

13.50 grams

Mintage

1215567

Metal

89.2% Silver, 10.8% Copper

Pop Higher

Pop Lower

340

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	24 / 72 TIE	25 / 78 TIE
All Grades	10	R-9.5	6 / 72 TIE	7 / 78 TIE
60 or Better	2	R-9.9	10 / 72 TIE	10 / 78 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	1000
All Grades	10
60 or Better	2

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-9.5
60 or Better	R-9.9

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	24 / 72 TIE
All Grades	6 / 72 TIE
60 or Better	10 / 72 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	25 / 78 TIE
All Grades	7 / 78 TIE
60 or Better	10 / 78 TIE

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS65 estimated grade	Kaufman Collection - Joseph C. Thomas Collection - Heritage 4/2009:2416, $34,500
2	MS64+ PCGS grade	Possibly acquired by Cornelius Vermeule or Cornelius Vermeule Jr., before 1950 - Cornelius C. Vermeule III Collection - Stack's 11/2001:236, $27,600 - D. Brent Pogue Collection, Part II - Stack's/Bowers & Sotheby's 9/2015:2020, $35,250 - Chicago Collection (PCGS Set Registry)
2	MS64+ PCGS grade	Heritage 1/2012:3221, $17,250 - Heritage 7/2013:3153, $61,688
4	MS64 PCGS grade	John G. Mills Collection - S.H. & H. Chapman 4/1904:??? - John M. Clapp Collection - John H. Clapp Collection, sold intact in 1942 - Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:1734, $14,300 - Juan Suros Collection - Superior 2/1999:179, $12,075 - Goldbergs 9/2005:1712, $19,550 - Rocky Top Collection - Heritage 2/2007:3393, $24,150 - Stack's 1/2008:446, $26,450 - Dale Friend Collection - Dr. Charles Link Collection
4	MS64 PCGS grade	Heritage 4/2013:4263, $21,150

#1 MS65 estimated grade

Kaufman Collection - Joseph C. Thomas Collection - Heritage 4/2009:2416, $34,500

#2 MS64+ PCGS grade

Possibly acquired by Cornelius Vermeule or Cornelius Vermeule Jr., before 1950 - Cornelius C. Vermeule III Collection - Stack's 11/2001:236, $27,600 - D. Brent Pogue Collection, Part II - Stack's/Bowers & Sotheby's 9/2015:2020, $35,250 - Chicago Collection (PCGS Set Registry)

#2 MS64+ PCGS grade

Heritage 1/2012:3221, $17,250 - Heritage 7/2013:3153, $61,688

#4 MS64 PCGS grade

John G. Mills Collection - S.H. & H. Chapman 4/1904:??? - John M. Clapp Collection - John H. Clapp Collection, sold intact in 1942 - Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:1734, $14,300 - Juan Suros Collection - Superior 2/1999:179, $12,075 - Goldbergs 9/2005:1712, $19,550 - Rocky Top Collection - Heritage 2/2007:3393, $24,150 - Stack's 1/2008:446, $26,450 - Dale Friend Collection - Dr. Charles Link Collection

#4 MS64 PCGS grade

Heritage 4/2013:4263, $21,150