1862-S 50C FR2 Certification #47927496, PCGS #6308

CoinFacts Details

Expert Comments

Ron Guth

In 1862, employees at the San Francisco Mint produced over 1.3 million Half Dollars. Most of those coins were destined to enter circulation. Only a few nice ones found their way into coin collections (such was the destiny of most San Francisco Mint products during the late 1800's). The average quality of a Mint State 1862-S Half Dollar is MS63, with fairly equal amounts of MS62 and MS64 examples on either side. Gems are exceedingly rare, with only two known that are MS65 or better. The finest is the PCGS MS66 (formerly of the Eliasberg and Gardner collections). The strike quality of this date is usually strong, but keep an eye on the stars at the top of the obverse -- they are often flat.

PCGS #

6308

Designer

Thomas Sully/Christian Gobrecht

Edge

Reeded

Diameter

30.00 millimeters

Weight

12.40 grams

Mintage

1352000

Metal

90% Silver, 10% Copper

Pop Higher

342

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	700	R-5.6	38 / 66 TIE	64 / 126 TIE
All Grades	60	R-8.4	38 / 66 TIE	62 / 126 TIE
60 or Better	1	R-10.0	1 / 66 TIE	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	700
All Grades	60
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-5.6
All Grades	R-8.4
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	38 / 66 TIE
All Grades	38 / 66 TIE
60 or Better	1 / 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	64 / 126 TIE
All Grades	62 / 126 TIE
60 or Better	1 / 126 TIE

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS66 PCGS grade	John H. Clapp Collection, sold intact in 1942 - Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:1994, $14,300 - Bowers & Merena 11/2001:4140, $16,100 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part III - Heritage 5/2015:98480, $42,300 - Ivy Collection (PCGS Set Registry) - MS12 Collection (PCGS Set Registry)
2	MS65 PCGS grade
3	MS64 PCGS grade	Dick Osburn Collection - Stack's/Bowers 8/2011:7081, $6,325 - Richard Jewell Collection - Stack's/Bowers 8/2013:4180, $5,170 - Heritage 1/2014:4504, $4,700 - D.L. Hansen Collection
3	MS64 PCGS grade
3	MS64 PCGS grade

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

John H. Clapp Collection, sold intact in 1942 - Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:1994, $14,300 - Bowers & Merena 11/2001:4140, $16,100 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part III - Heritage 5/2015:98480, $42,300 - Ivy Collection (PCGS Set Registry) - MS12 Collection (PCGS Set Registry)

#2 MS65 PCGS grade

#3 MS64 PCGS grade

Dick Osburn Collection - Stack's/Bowers 8/2011:7081, $6,325 - Richard Jewell Collection - Stack's/Bowers 8/2013:4180, $5,170 - Heritage 1/2014:4504, $4,700 - D.L. Hansen Collection

#3 MS64 PCGS grade