Price Guide for 1853 Half Dollar Variants
This guide presents price ranges for variants from three sources: eBay sales, third-party auctions, and PCGS guides. Values are shown for various conditions, allowing collectors to compare across different market segments. Price estimates may vary between sources, especially for rarer variants.
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $14.00 – $3,600.00Uncirculated: $4.20 – $94,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $17.50 – $1,226.22Uncirculated: $175.50 – $3,750.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $50.00 – $1,750.00Uncirculated: $1,850.00 – $150,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $3.00 – $6,000.00Uncirculated: $8.75 – $55,200.00
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eBayCirculated: $25.11 – $1,760.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $50.00 – $3,750.00Uncirculated: $4,000.00 – $65,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $40,000.00 – $517,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $52.00 – $1,600.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $250,000.00 – $750,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $24,150.00 – $228,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $26.00 – $75.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $90,000.00 – $275,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $114.00 – $1,528.00Uncirculated: $900.00 – $38,400.00
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eBayCirculated: $178.59 – $215.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $192.00 – $990.00
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eBayCirculated: $193.49 – $1,879.99
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $180.00 – $734.38Uncirculated: $2,160.00
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eBayCirculated: $49.00 – $995.00Uncirculated: $825.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $132.00
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eBayCirculated: $73.00 – $854.99
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $104.00 – $312.00Uncirculated: $3,290.00 – $8,225.00
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eBayCirculated: $430.01
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $126.00 – $552.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $2,340.00
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eBayCirculated: $234.03
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $180.00 – $1,200.00
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eBayCirculated: $179.99
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eBayCirculated: $179.26
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,920.00
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eBayCirculated: $103.70
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eBayCirculated: $400.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,920.00
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eBayUncirculated: $800.00
Design and Specifications of the 1853 Half Dollar
The 1853 Half Dollar is a significant coin in American numismatic history. This year marked a crucial transition in the weight and design of silver coinage due to rising silver prices. The Mint introduced arrows next to the date and rays around the eagle on the reverse to signify the weight reduction. Later in the year, the rays were removed, creating two distinct varieties for 1853.
| Weight | 13.36 grams (for arrows and rays variety), 12.44 grams (for arrows only variety) |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 30.6 mm |
| Mint Marks | O (New Orleans), No mint mark (Philadelphia) |
| Composition | 90% silver, 10% copper |
| Obverse Design | Seated Liberty, designed by Christian Gobrecht |
| Reverse Design | Heraldic eagle, designed by Christian Gobrecht |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of 1853 Half Dollars significantly impacts their value. Uncirculated specimens are particularly valuable, with premium prices for coins exhibiting strong luster and minimal contact marks. The Arrows and Rays variety typically commands higher prices than the Arrows only variety.
Toning can also play a role in desirability, with attractively toned specimens often fetching higher prices. The strike quality is crucial, especially for the New Orleans mint coins, which are often found weakly struck.
Mintage: 3,532,708
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: Arrows and Rays, Arrows (No Rays)
Market Demand: High, due to historical significance and multiple varieties
Mintage: 1,328,000
Rarity Scale: Uncommon
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: Arrows and Rays only
Market Demand: High, especially for high-grade specimens
Die varieties can add significant value to 1853 Half Dollars. Some notable varieties include doubled dates and repunched mint marks. The transitional nature of this year’s coinage also adds to its collectible appeal.
The historical significance of the 1853 weight change makes these coins popular among collectors of early American silver. Complete sets of both varieties (Arrows and Rays, and Arrows only) from both mints are highly sought after by advanced collectors.
