1855-S 50C Arrows N1 Certification #51358042, PCGS #6284

CoinFacts Details

Expert Comments

Ron Guth

The 1855-S Half Dollar is the only date of the 1853-1855 era that was struck with arrowheads to indicate the reduction in the weights of most U.S. silver coins under the Coinage Act of 1853. The 1955-S Half Dollar is an inherently rare date thanks to a small mintage, and it is especially elusive in Mint State. Only three Mint State examples have appeared on the market in recent years: the NGC MS67 from the Pryor and Osburn Collections; the PCGS MS64 from the Gardner Collection; and the PCGS MS62 now in the Hansen Collection. Even AU examples are pricey because they are also very rare and hard to find.

PCGS #

6284

Designer

Thomas Sully/Christian Gobrecht

Edge

Reeded

Diameter

30.00 millimeters

Weight

12.40 grams

Mintage

129950

Metal

90% Silver, 10% Copper

Pop Higher

137

Pop Lower

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	500	R-6.0	2 / 6	36 / 126 TIE
All Grades	2	R-9.9	1 / 6	3 / 126 TIE
60 or Better	1	R-10.0	1 / 6	1 / 126 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	500
All Grades	2
60 or Better	1

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-6.0
All Grades	R-9.9
60 or Better	R-10.0

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	2 / 6
All Grades	1 / 6
60 or Better	1 / 6

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	36 / 126 TIE
All Grades	3 / 126 TIE
60 or Better	1 / 126 TIE

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS66+ estimated grade	Lester Merkin (date unknown) - William Mitkoff, sold privately on 5/23/1973 - James Bennet Pryor Collection - Bowers & Merena 1/1996:151 - Dick Osburn Collection - Stack's/Bowers 8/2011:7052, $115,000
2	MS64 PCGS grade	Bowers & Merena 6/1988:165 - Superior “Lee and Shaffer Collections” 9/1988:4458 - Superior “Boys Town” 5/1990:3807 - American Numismatic Rarities “Kennywood Collection” 1/2005:560 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 10/2014:98496, $41,125) - Heritage 4/2015:5086, $49,350
3	MS62 PCGS grade	Heritage 8/2017:3978, $58,750
3	MS62 estimated grade
5	AU58 PCGS grade	Heritage 8/2011:7166, $16,100

#1 MS66+ estimated grade

Lester Merkin (date unknown) - William Mitkoff, sold privately on 5/23/1973 - James Bennet Pryor Collection - Bowers & Merena 1/1996:151 - Dick Osburn Collection - Stack's/Bowers 8/2011:7052, $115,000

#2 MS64 PCGS grade

Bowers & Merena 6/1988:165 - Superior “Lee and Shaffer Collections” 9/1988:4458 - Superior “Boys Town” 5/1990:3807 - American Numismatic Rarities “Kennywood Collection” 1/2005:560 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 10/2014:98496, $41,125) - Heritage 4/2015:5086, $49,350

#3 MS62 PCGS grade

Heritage 8/2017:3978, $58,750

#3 MS62 estimated grade

#5 AU58 PCGS grade

Heritage 8/2011:7166, $16,100