1902-S 50C

1903-O 50C

1903 50C (Regular Strike)

Series: Barber Half Dollars 1892-1915

PCGS MS66+

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PCGS MS66

PCGS #:: 6495

Designer:: Charles E. Barber

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 30.00 millimeters

Weight:: 12.50 grams

Mintage:: 2,278,000

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $18,700 • GEM UNC • 05-01-1998 • David Akers

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1903 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	4,000	R-4.2	50 / 74 TIE	50 / 74 TIE
60 or Better	250	R-6.6	28 / 74 TIE	28 / 74 TIE
65 or Better	30	R-8.9	9 / 74 TIE	9 / 74 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	4,000
60 or Better	250
65 or Better	30

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-4.2
60 or Better	R-6.6
65 or Better	R-8.9

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	50 / 74 TIE
60 or Better	28 / 74 TIE
65 or Better	9 / 74 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	50 / 74 TIE
60 or Better	28 / 74 TIE
65 or Better	9 / 74 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS66 PCGS grade	Dr. Steven L. Duckor Collection - Dr. Peter & Janice Shireman Collection - Heritage 1/2016:5404, $8,812.50
1	MS66 PCGS grade	Dr. Thaine B. Price Collection - David Akers 5/1998:157, $18,700 - Dr. Steven L. Duckor Collection - Heritage 8/2010:3206, $12,650 - “Perfection 9” Collection
1	MS66 PCGS grade	Dennis Nagy - Dale Friend Collection - Heritage 1/2009:3891, $13,800 - Greensboro Collection, Part VI - Heritage 10/2015:3294, $8,812.50
1	MS66 PCGS grade	Jason Carter, sold privately in 9/2007 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part III - Heritage 5/2015:98527, $12,925
1	MS66 PCGS grade
6	MS65+ PCGS grade
7	MS65 PCGS grade	John C. Hugon - Heritage 1/2005:4232, $13,225 - Southwest Collection - Heritage 2/2008:678, $8,625 - Heritage 7/2008:605, $7,762.50
7	MS65 PCGS grade	Stack's/Bowers 6/2013:1336, $8,225
7	MS65 PCGS grade	“Tacoma” Collection
7	MS65 PCGS grade

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

Dr. Steven L. Duckor Collection - Dr. Peter & Janice Shireman Collection - Heritage 1/2016:5404, $8,812.50

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

Dr. Thaine B. Price Collection - David Akers 5/1998:157, $18,700 - Dr. Steven L. Duckor Collection - Heritage 8/2010:3206, $12,650 - “Perfection 9” Collection

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

Dennis Nagy - Dale Friend Collection - Heritage 1/2009:3891, $13,800 - Greensboro Collection, Part VI - Heritage 10/2015:3294, $8,812.50

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

Jason Carter, sold privately in 9/2007 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part III - Heritage 5/2015:98527, $12,925

#1 MS66 PCGS grade

#6 MS65+ PCGS grade

#7 MS65 PCGS grade

John C. Hugon - Heritage 1/2005:4232, $13,225 - Southwest Collection - Heritage 2/2008:678, $8,625 - Heritage 7/2008:605, $7,762.50

#7 MS65 PCGS grade

Stack's/Bowers 6/2013:1336, $8,225

#7 MS65 PCGS grade

“Tacoma” Collection

#7 MS65 PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

The 1903 Half Dollar is not as common as some of the other dates in the series, but it is hard to call it underrated with the information we have from the Population Reports. The 1903 Half Dollar is readily available in Mint State, especially in MS64. The PCGS CoinFacts Condition Census starts at MS65 (indicative of the overall quality of this date), and tops out at MS67. The strike on 1903 Half Dollars is strong in general, but finding an example with full horiozontal lines in the shield can be a real challenge. The finest 1903 Half Dollars hail from the usual array of big-name Barber collectors: Price, Friend, Duckor, and Shireman. These collections have all been dispersed, so new collectors have an opportunity to upgrade and improve their holdings.

David Akers: In my estimation, this is one of the most underrated issues in this series. Mintage figures give no indication whatsoever of its true rarity since 2,278,000 pieces were struck, hardly a low figure. However, in any mint state grade, a 1903 Barber Half Dollar is very scarce, if not rare, and of the relatively few known mint state specimens, only a handful could legitimately be termed Gems. The 1903 is considerably more rare than most of the popular and highly regarded mintmarked issues of the 1890's, and it is also the rarest of the three issues of 1903, a fact which may surprise all but the serious student of this wonderful series