1896-S 50C VF30 Certification #29900163, PCGS #6476

Ron Guth

The 1896-S Half Dollar is considered a scarcer date, especially at the Mint State level.  This assertion is borne out by the PCGS Population Report, which shows the profile of the Mint State 1896-S to be very close to that of the 1897-O and the 1898-O (all three dates have similar populations in the range of grades from MS63 to MS66, and each is extremely rare in MS67 or better -- in fact, the 1896-S in MS67 is known by only one MS67 example and none better).  

The strike on the 1896-S Half Dollar is usually quite strong.  Luster ranges from hard and brilliant to soft and frosty.  Most of the top-end examples are toned to some degree and have great eye appeal.  

The best 1896-S Half Dollar is the afore-mentioned PCGS MS67 -- a lightly toned Gem formerly of the Dale Friend and Dr. Steve Duckor Collections.  In 2010, that coin set a record price for an 1896-S Half Dollar of $54,625.

---

David Akers

Although not quite as rare as the 1896-O..., the 1896-S is, nevertheless, one of the most desirable and rarest issues in the series. Even in the circulated grades, this issue is a relatively valuable one, at least in comparison to other Barber Half issues, and in all mint state grades it is rare. At the Very Choice and Gem Uncirculated grade levels, the 1896-S is very rare and almost never available except when great collections like the Dr. Thaine B. Price Collection are sold...