1896-O 50C

1897 50C

1896-S 50C (Regular Strike)

Series: Barber Half Dollars 1892-1915

PCGS MS67

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PCGS MS66+

PCGS #:: 6476

Designer:: Charles E. Barber

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 30.00 millimeters

Weight:: 12.50 grams

Mintage:: 1,140,948

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $54,625 • MS67 • 08-11-2010 • Heritage Auctions

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Major Varieties

1896-S 50C

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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.
All Grades	2,000	R-4.6	19 / 74 TIE	19 / 74 TIE
60 or Better	200	R-7.0	12 / 74 TIE	12 / 74 TIE
65 or Better	40	R-8.7	16 / 74 TIE	16 / 74 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	2,000
60 or Better	200
65 or Better	40

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-4.6
60 or Better	R-7.0
65 or Better	R-8.7

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	19 / 74 TIE
60 or Better	12 / 74 TIE
65 or Better	16 / 74 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	19 / 74 TIE
60 or Better	12 / 74 TIE
65 or Better	16 / 74 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS67 PCGS grade	Dale Friend, sold privately on 9/25/2002 - Dr. & Mrs. Steven L. Duckor Barber Half Dollar Collection - Heritage 8/2010:3187, $54,625 - “Perfection 9” Collection
2	MS66 PCGS grade	Heritage 7/2004:6546 - Heritage 2/2005:7133 - Heritage 1/2008:2894 - Greensboro Collection, Part VI - Heritage 10/2015:3281, $11,456.25
2	MS66 PCGS grade	Purchased directly from the San Francisco Mint in August 1896 by J. M. Clapp - John H. Clapp - Clapp Estate, 1942 - Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:2078, $8,250 - John C. Hugon - Heritage 1/2005:4213, $13,800 - Joseph O'Connor, sold privately in 6/2005 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part III - Heritage 5/2015:98519, $23,500
2	MS66 PCGS grade	David Lawrence, sold privately in 10/2012 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part II - Heritage 10/2014:98548 - Stack's/Bowers 7/2015:4413, $14,100 - Stack's/Bowers 11/2015:20066, $11,162.50
2	MS66 PCGS grade
6	MS65+ PCGS grade	D.L. Hansen Collection
7	MS65 PCGS grade	James Pryor - Harry Laibstain - Dr. Peter Shireman
7	MS65 PCGS grade
7	MS65 PCGS grade	Heritage 2/2007:3546, $9,200
7	MS65 PCGS grade	Dr. Thaine Price - David Akers 5/1998:138 - Dr. Steven Duckor - Dale Friend - Heritage 1/2009:3876, $7,475

#1 MS67 PCGS grade

Dale Friend, sold privately on 9/25/2002 - Dr. & Mrs. Steven L. Duckor Barber Half Dollar Collection - Heritage 8/2010:3187, $54,625 - “Perfection 9” Collection

#2 MS66 PCGS grade

Heritage 7/2004:6546 - Heritage 2/2005:7133 - Heritage 1/2008:2894 - Greensboro Collection, Part VI - Heritage 10/2015:3281, $11,456.25

#2 MS66 PCGS grade

Purchased directly from the San Francisco Mint in August 1896 by J. M. Clapp - John H. Clapp - Clapp Estate, 1942 - Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:2078, $8,250 - John C. Hugon - Heritage 1/2005:4213, $13,800 - Joseph O'Connor, sold privately in 6/2005 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part III - Heritage 5/2015:98519, $23,500

#2 MS66 PCGS grade

David Lawrence, sold privately in 10/2012 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part II - Heritage 10/2014:98548 - Stack's/Bowers 7/2015:4413, $14,100 - Stack's/Bowers 11/2015:20066, $11,162.50

#2 MS66 PCGS grade

#6 MS65+ PCGS grade

D.L. Hansen Collection

#7 MS65 PCGS grade

James Pryor - Harry Laibstain - Dr. Peter Shireman

#7 MS65 PCGS grade

Heritage 2/2007:3546, $9,200

#7 MS65 PCGS grade

Dr. Thaine Price - David Akers 5/1998:138 - Dr. Steven Duckor - Dale Friend - Heritage 1/2009:3876, $7,475

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...