1856-O 50C AU58 Certification #51385899, PCGS #6288

CoinFacts Details

Expert Comments

Ron Guth

In 1856, employees at the New Orleans Mint cranked out over 2.6 million Half Dollars representing a total value of $1.329 miilion. Though most of those entered circulation, a large number were preserved by collectors in high grades. Today, dozens of 1856-O Half Dollars exist in a range of grades from MS62 to MS65, and smaller quantities are available in MS65 to MS66. Mid-range Mint State examples are quite affordable but, not unexpectedly, the 1856-O Half Dollar becomes an expensive condition-rarity in MS66.

The typical 1856-O Half Dollar shows weakness in some of the stars, the denticles on both sides, and perhaps in some of the reverse legends. Accordingly, coins with full strikes should command a nice premium.

PCGS #

6288

Designer

Thomas Sully/Christian Gobrecht

Edge

Reeded

Diameter

30.00 millimeters

Weight

12.40 grams

Mintage

2658000

Metal

90% Silver, 10% Copper

Pop Higher

153

Pop Lower

481

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	2000	R-4.6	61 / 66 TIE	107 / 126 TIE
All Grades	180	R-7.2	60 / 66 TIE	96 / 126 TIE
60 or Better	12	R-9.5	32 / 66 TIE	55 / 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	2000
All Grades	180
60 or Better	12

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-4.6
All Grades	R-7.2
60 or Better	R-9.5

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	61 / 66 TIE
All Grades	60 / 66 TIE
60 or Better	32 / 66 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	107 / 126 TIE
All Grades	96 / 126 TIE
60 or Better	55 / 126 TIE

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Thumbnail	Pedigree and History
1	MS66 PCGS grade
1	MS66 PCGS grade
3	MS65 PCGS grade
3	MS65 PCGS grade
3	MS65 PCGS grade

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

#3 MS65 PCGS grade