1884 50C PR65 Certification #30422645, PCGS #6445

CoinFacts Details

Owner's Comments

One of just 875 proofs issued in 1884—a rare remnant from the final years of the series, as America stepped boldly into the electric age. That same year, Mark Twain published The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and Thomas Edison’s incandescent lights began spreading through city streets, transforming night itself. It was a time of invention, energy, and a new kind of wonder. This PR65 example embodies that spirit with striking visual drama. Liberty appears in deep silhouette, toned by time into near shadow, while the fields blaze in vibrant contrast—flashes of yellow, gold, and cobalt, evoking both fire and ice. The result is atmospheric and unforgettable, like a stage lit in contrast and tension.

Expert Comments

Ron Guth

By 1884, interest in Proof Half Dollars began to wane, even though the mintage of regular issue Half Dollars for circulation was quite low (only 4,400 pieces). Looking at the market today and how demand for Proof coins is so strong, it is hard to believe that 875 Proof Half Dollars were all the Mint could sell in 1884. Nonetheless, this is a very affordable rarity and it can be found in a nice range of grades from PR62 to PR65. Above PR65, this date becomes very rare and anything better than PR66 is a true condition-rarity. Cameo Proofs make up a smaller percentage of the total population than in previous years and Deep Cameos are extremely rare.

PCGS #

6445

Designer

Thomas Sully/Christian Gobrecht

Edge

Reeded

Diameter

30.00 millimeters

Weight

12.50 grams

Mintage

875

Metal

90% Silver, 10% Copper

Pop Higher

Pop Lower

257

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	800	R-5.4	17 / 25 TIE	47 / 55 TIE
All Grades	760	R-5.4	18 / 25 TIE	48 / 55 TIE
60 or Better	80	R-8.2	13 / 25 TIE	38 / 55 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	800
All Grades	760
60 or Better	80

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-5.4
All Grades	R-5.4
60 or Better	R-8.2

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	17 / 25 TIE
All Grades	18 / 25 TIE
60 or Better	13 / 25 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	47 / 55 TIE
All Grades	48 / 55 TIE
60 or Better	38 / 55 TIE

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	PR68 PCGS grade	Stephen Stokely Collection (PCGS Set Registry) - Heritage 8/2006:5255, $25,300 - Daryl J. Haynor Collection - Heritage 8/2011:7194, $23,000 - “Greensboro” Collection - Heritage 1/2013:5693, $41,125
2	PR67 PCGS grade
2	PR67 PCGS grade
2	PR67 PCGS grade
2	PR67 PCGS grade

#1 PR68 PCGS grade

Stephen Stokely Collection (PCGS Set Registry) - Heritage 8/2006:5255, $25,300 - Daryl J. Haynor Collection - Heritage 8/2011:7194, $23,000 - “Greensboro” Collection - Heritage 1/2013:5693, $41,125

#2 PR67 PCGS grade