1859-O H10C MS64 Certification #21976086, PCGS #4370

CoinFacts Details

Expert Comments

Ron Guth

In 1859, the New Orleans Mint produced far fewer Half Dimes than in the previous year, dropping the mintage from 1,660,000 coins to a mere 560,000. However, the PCGS Population Report shows the 1859-O to be only twice as rare as the 1858-O, suggesting that collectors may have set aside more of the 1859-O's since this was the last year that New Orleans would produce No Stars Half Dimes.

In general, this date shows the poor strike qualities typical of New Orleans Mint products. Often, the stars are weak; more often, the denticles are weak. Nonetheless, a well-struck 1859-O shows up occasionally and such coins should command a nice premium.

The best example known of this date is a single PCGS MS66+ (illustrated above)

PCGS #

4370

Designer

Robert Ball Hughes/Christian Gobrecht

Edge

Reeded

Diameter

15.90 millimeters

Weight

1.24 grams

Mintage

560000

Metal

90% Silver, 10% Copper

Pop Higher

Pop Lower

154

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	400	R-6.2	19 / 36 TIE	36 / 79 TIE
All Grades	100	R-8.0	19 / 36	36 / 79 TIE
60 or Better	12	R-9.5	14 / 36 TIE	21 / 79 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	400
All Grades	100
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-6.2
All Grades	R-8.0
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	19 / 36 TIE
All Grades	19 / 36
60 or Better	14 / 36 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	36 / 79 TIE
All Grades	36 / 79 TIE
60 or Better	21 / 79 TIE

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS66+ PCGS grade	Bob R. Simpson Collection - Tom Bender Collection
2	MS66 PCGS grade	Northern Bay Collection - Stack's 3/2006:4101, $5,463 - Heritage 8/2007:490 - Heritage 4/2008:531 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part IV - Heritage 10/2015:98164, $4,935
2	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS66 PCGS grade
2	MS66 estimated grade

#1 MS66+ PCGS grade

Bob R. Simpson Collection - Tom Bender Collection

#2 MS66 PCGS grade

Northern Bay Collection - Stack's 3/2006:4101, $5,463 - Heritage 8/2007:490 - Heritage 4/2008:531 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part IV - Heritage 10/2015:98164, $4,935

#2 MS66 PCGS grade

#2 MS66 estimated grade