1882 50C, CAM PR65CAM Certification #45742046, PCGS #86443

Peripherally toned in burnt-orange and steel-blue iridescence, the centers on both sides are brilliant to allow full appreciation of a boldly cameoed finish. The strike is full, and the surfaces are expectably smooth for the assigned grade. One of 1,100 Proof half dollars struck for the date and among the finer seen by both PCGS and CAC. Stack Bowers Auction PCGS Population: 24; 17 finer in this category (Proof-67 Cameo finest). CAC Population: 7; 11.

Ron Guth

The 1882 Half Dollar is very scarce as a Proof due to its low mintage of only 1,100 pieces.  This number is not particularly small for coins of that period, but it is low when compared to the millions of Proofs that are being produced today.  What makes this coin especially valuable is the small mintage of only 4,400 circulation strikes, which means that collectors who seek high-grade examples of this date are often forced to consider purchasing a Proof in light of the scarcity of Mint State pieces.  In this year, Cameo Proofs represented a higher percentage of the total popuplation and finally, Deep Cameos begin to appear with increasing frequency -- though they are still quite scarce.  The overall quality of Proof Half Dollars from this year is excellent, indicating that most were set aside and carefully preserved by prescient collectors.