1909 50C PR64 Certification #20344343, PCGS #6556

CoinFacts Details

Owner's Comments

Lovely proof coin with charming original toning and spectacular provenance: I acquired it from Goldcoast Coin Exchange in 2021. It had previously been part of the Teich Family collection, where it had been purchased during the November 1957 auction of The Empire Collection United States Silver and Copper Coins at Stack's in New York City for a bid of $52. It is listed as being in 'Brilliant proof' condition under item #1540 on page 89 of the original auction catalogue, Per the catalogue, the Empire Collection was 'Assembled by a renowned numismatist [and] begun in 1886. However, the modesty of the gentleman preclude[d] the use of his name in connection with it.'

Expert Comments

Ron Guth

In 1909, the Mint increased production of Proof Half Dollars to a whopping 650 pieces. As small mintage as this might seem, it was a 20% increase over the output of the previous year. In real terms, this has translated into a surprising jump in the total population of certified Proof 1909 Half Dollars. This, coupled with a dramatic increase in the number of Cameo Proof 1909 Half Dollars, it is evident that the Mint was doing something different that year. Further, the overall quality of this date is above-average, such that there are more certified PR68 examples of this date than any other in the entire series. This is also one of but a couple of dates post -1901 where Deep Cameo Proofs exist.

PCGS #

6556

Designer

Charles E. Barber

Edge

Reeded

Diameter

30.00 millimeters

Weight

12.50 grams

Mintage

650

Metal

90% Silver, 10% Copper

Pop Higher

Pop Lower

135

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	575	R-5.8	9 / 24 TIE	9 / 24 TIE
All Grades	560	R-5.8	9 / 24 TIE	9 / 24 TIE
60 or Better	150	R-7.5	13 / 24 TIE	13 / 24 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	575
All Grades	560
60 or Better	150

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-5.8
All Grades	R-5.8
60 or Better	R-7.5

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	9 / 24 TIE
All Grades	9 / 24 TIE
60 or Better	13 / 24 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	9 / 24 TIE
All Grades	9 / 24 TIE
60 or Better	13 / 24 TIE

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	PR68 PCGS grade	Heritage 12/2013:3659, $15,862.50 - Legend Rare Coin Auctions 12/2014:184, $12,337.50
1	PR68 PCGS grade	Dale Friend Collection of Proof Barber Half Dollars - Superior 5/2006:638, $14,375 - Heritage 1/2007:1005, $11,500 - Stack’s 3/2007:625, $11,000 - Heritage 7/2007:964, $10,925 - Heritage 4/2012:3269, not sold - Heritage 8/2013:5659, $13,512.50 - Heritage 1/2015:5093, $11,162.50 - Heritage 6/2016:4582, $11,162.50
1	PR68 PCGS grade
1	PR68 PCGS grade
1	PR68 PCGS grade

#1 PR68 PCGS grade

Heritage 12/2013:3659, $15,862.50 - Legend Rare Coin Auctions 12/2014:184, $12,337.50

#1 PR68 PCGS grade

Dale Friend Collection of Proof Barber Half Dollars - Superior 5/2006:638, $14,375 - Heritage 1/2007:1005, $11,500 - Stack’s 3/2007:625, $11,000 - Heritage 7/2007:964, $10,925 - Heritage 4/2012:3269, not sold - Heritage 8/2013:5659, $13,512.50 - Heritage 1/2015:5093, $11,162.50 - Heritage 6/2016:4582, $11,162.50

#1 PR68 PCGS grade