1881 50C, CAM PR63CAM Certification #50205153, PCGS #86442

Ron Guth

After topping out at 1,355 Proofs in the previous year, the mintage of Proof Half Dollars returned to a more normal number (975 pieces).  The mintage of circulation strike Half Dollars in 1881 was also small -- a mere 10,000 pieces.  Thus, any example of an 1881 Half Dollar -- Mint State or Proof -- is in high demand.  Because the quality of the Proofs made in 1881 is somewhat lacking, it is difficult to tell a Prooflike early strike from a true Proof, therefore we recommend certification to confirm status.  About a third of all Proof 1881 Half Dollars show Cameo contrast.  Deep Cameo Proofs are extremely rare, in keeping with virtually all of the previous dates.