1905-O 50C

1906 50C

1905-S 50C (Regular Strike)

Series: Barber Half Dollars 1892-1915

PCGS MS68

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PCGS MS67

PCGS #:: 6503

Designer:: Charles E. Barber

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 30.00 millimeters

Weight:: 12.50 grams

Mintage:: 2,494,000

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $32,200 • MS67 • 01-01-2005 • Heritage Auctions

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Major Varieties

1905-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	50	R-8.5	29 / 74 TIE	29 / 74 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	2,000
60 or Better	200
65 or Better	50

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-4.6
60 or Better	R-7.0
65 or Better	R-8.5

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	19 / 74 TIE
60 or Better	12 / 74 TIE
65 or Better	29 / 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	29 / 74 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS67 PCGS grade	Dr. Thaine B. Price - David Akers 5/1998:165 - Dr. Steven Duckor - Heritage 8/2010:3214, $17,250 - Goldbergs 6/2014:815, $18,212.50 - Goldbergs 6/2015:1332, $19,387.50
1	MS67 PCGS grade	Heritage 2/2007:3553, $26,450 - Stack's/Bowers 1/2013:13206, $20,563
1	MS67 PCGS grade	Purchased directly from the San Francisco Mint, November 1905 by J. M. Clapp - John H. Clapp - Clapp Estate 1942 - Louis E. Eliasberg - Bowers & Merena 5/1997:2105, $23,100 - John C. Hugon Collection - Heritage 1/2005:4240, $32,200 - “Perfection” Collection (PCGS Set Registry)
4	MS66 PCGS grade	Larry Whitlow, sold privately in 11/2003 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part II - Heritage 10/2014:98559, $7,050
4	MS66 PCGS grade	Pinnacle Rarities - Dale Friend - Heritage 1/2009:3897, $9,200
4	MS66 PCGS grade	Heritage 7/2008:610, $9,200
7	MS66 estimated grade	Heritage 6/2005:5763, $17,825 - Heritage 1/2007:1000, $17,825 - Heritage 8/2015:4089, $14,100 - Heritage 3/2016:4917, $8,812.50
8	MS65 PCGS grade	Harry Laibstain, sold privately on 5/28/1999 - Dr. Peter & Janice Shireman Collection - Heritage 1/2016:4129 , $6,462.50 - Heritage 1/2017:4457, $9,106.25
8	MS65 PCGS grade
8	MS65 PCGS grade

#1 MS67 PCGS grade

Dr. Thaine B. Price - David Akers 5/1998:165 - Dr. Steven Duckor - Heritage 8/2010:3214, $17,250 - Goldbergs 6/2014:815, $18,212.50 - Goldbergs 6/2015:1332, $19,387.50

#1 MS67 PCGS grade

Heritage 2/2007:3553, $26,450 - Stack's/Bowers 1/2013:13206, $20,563

#1 MS67 PCGS grade

Purchased directly from the San Francisco Mint, November 1905 by J. M. Clapp - John H. Clapp - Clapp Estate 1942 - Louis E. Eliasberg - Bowers & Merena 5/1997:2105, $23,100 - John C. Hugon Collection - Heritage 1/2005:4240, $32,200 - “Perfection” Collection (PCGS Set Registry)

#4 MS66 PCGS grade

Larry Whitlow, sold privately in 11/2003 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part II - Heritage 10/2014:98559, $7,050

#4 MS66 PCGS grade

Pinnacle Rarities - Dale Friend - Heritage 1/2009:3897, $9,200

#4 MS66 PCGS grade

Heritage 7/2008:610, $9,200

#7 MS66 estimated grade

Heritage 6/2005:5763, $17,825 - Heritage 1/2007:1000, $17,825 - Heritage 8/2015:4089, $14,100 - Heritage 3/2016:4917, $8,812.50

#8 MS65 PCGS grade

Harry Laibstain, sold privately on 5/28/1999 - Dr. Peter & Janice Shireman Collection - Heritage 1/2016:4129 , $6,462.50 - Heritage 1/2017:4457, $9,106.25

#8 MS65 PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

The 1905-S Half Dollar is a surprisingly scarce date. The overall population of certified examples is larger than the 1905 and slightly larger than the 1905-O, but the number of certified Mint State examples of the 1905-S is far smaller than either the 1905 or the 1905-O. In reality, the 1905-S tracks the much more popular 1904-S in most Mint State grades, yet the 1905-S sells for much less.

The top end of the condition scale includes several MS67 1905-S Half Dollars, all but one of which have crazy, colorful toning. The one exception is the former Price-Duckor PCGS MS67 which displays delicate, golden peripheral toning around frosty white centers. Most 1905-S Half Dollars are struck well.

David Akers: This is one of those Barber Half Dollar issues that has never received the respect it deserves considering its high overall rarity. Perhaps this is due to the fact that it is a high mintage issue, and for many years mintage figures were all that people looked at when trying to determine rarity. However, we have now learned that mintage figures and overall rarity are not always directly related, and often have absolutely nothing to do with one another. The 1905-S Half Dollar is a case in point. The mintage is just under 2,500,000 pieces and yet in any mint state grade the issue is a rare one and Gems are very rare.