1902 50C, CAM PF67+ CAM PCGS #86549

Ron Guth

In 1902, the mintage of Proof Half Dollars declined for the second year in a row -- and would continue to do so for two more years -- to a mere 777 coins.  By today's standards, that is a tiny mintage, but for the series it is about average.  The Mint also changed the way Proofs were made, moving to more emphasis on brilliance rather than Cameo contrast.  As a result, Deep Cameo 1902 Half Dollars are unheard of and it is actually a challenge to find a Cameo of any sort.  Like most Barber Half Dollar Proofs, this date is encountered most frequently in PR64.  Gems are semi-scarce, but anything better than PR66 starts to hit the Condition Census level.