Price Guide for 1873 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: $31.00 – $4,400.00Uncirculated: $357.00 – $40,800.00
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eBayCirculated: $25.00 – $856.00Uncirculated: $181.05 – $2,700.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $60.00 – $1,250.00Uncirculated: $1,400.00 – $35,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $658.00 – $40,250.00Uncirculated: $20,700.00 – $55,812.50
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $2,000.00 – $30,000.00Uncirculated: $65,000.00 – $125,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1.75 – $3,335.00Uncirculated: $345.00 – $6,462.50
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eBayCirculated: $49.00 – $810.00Uncirculated: $343.10
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $55.00 – $1,150.00Uncirculated: $1,200.00 – $12,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $9.75 – $30,000.00Uncirculated: $60.00 – $82,250.00
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eBayCirculated: $29.70 – $3,630.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $300.00 – $13,500.00Uncirculated: $15,000.00 – $175,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $828.00 – $1,600.00Uncirculated: $3.25 – $27,600.00
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eBayUncirculated: $599.95 – $1,401.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $800.00 – $850.00Uncirculated: $900.00 – $20,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $2.10 – $6,325.00Uncirculated: $3,080.00 – $84,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $92.66 – $4,880.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $250.00 – $9,000.00Uncirculated: $10,000.00 – $100,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $48.00 – $12,600.00Uncirculated: $403.00 – $69,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $142.00 – $1,650.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $50.00 – $4,000.00Uncirculated: $4,500.00 – $35,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $600.00 – $12,925.00Uncirculated: $6.25 – $35,250.00
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eBayCirculated: $1,150.00Uncirculated: $925.00 – $4,955.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $800.00 – $1,100.00Uncirculated: $1,250.00 – $22,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $529.20Uncirculated: $576.00 – $6,300.00
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eBayCirculated: $152.50 – $185.00Uncirculated: $2,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $138.00 – $336.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,560.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $115.00 – $14,400.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1,750.00 – $25,000.00Uncirculated: $65,000.00 – $125,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,020.00 – $9,300.00Uncirculated: $9,600.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $384.00 – $5,040.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $5,640.00Uncirculated: $10,800.00 – $36,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $120.00 – $336.00Uncirculated: $720.00 – $13,200.00
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eBayCirculated: $148.70
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $114.00 – $139.00Uncirculated: $4,230.00 – $12,925.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $264.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $89.00 – $3,525.00Uncirculated: $444.00 – $8,812.50
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eBayCirculated: $99.00 – $400.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $12,600.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $720.00 – $3,960.00Uncirculated: $24,675.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $810.00 – $7,200.00Uncirculated: $10,575.00 – $19,800.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $456.00 – $881.25Uncirculated: $14,400.00
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eBayCirculated: $699.89
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $50.00 – $4,000.00Uncirculated: $4,500.00 – $40,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $7,638.00Uncirculated: $863.00 – $17,625.00
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eBayUncirculated: $1,499.00 – $2,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,100.00 – $50,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,323.00 – $12,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $4,500.00 – $20,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $12,000.00Uncirculated: $1,140.00 – $28,750.00
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eBayUncirculated: $1,206.76 – $1,849.99
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $2,000.00 – $30,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $31,725.00 – $55,812.50
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $65,000.00
Design and Specifications of the 1873 Half Dollar
The 1873 Half Dollar is a significant coin in American numismatic history. It was minted during a year of monetary reform, with the Coinage Act of 1873 demonetizing silver and effectively putting the United States on a gold standard. This act led to the creation of two distinct varieties of the 1873 Half Dollar: the Arrows and No Arrows types, reflecting a slight weight increase in the coin.
| Weight | 12.44 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 30.6 mm |
| Mint Marks | Philadelphia (no mint mark), Carson City (CC), San Francisco (S) |
| Composition | 90% silver, 10% copper |
| Obverse Design | Seated Liberty, designed by Christian Gobrecht |
| Reverse Design | Eagle with shield, designed by Christian Gobrecht |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of 1873 Half Dollars significantly impacts their value. Due to their age and circulation, high-grade examples are extremely rare. Coins in Mint State conditions, particularly MS65 and above, command substantial premiums.
For Carson City issues, even lower grade examples can be valuable due to the mint’s popularity among collectors. The No Arrows varieties from Philadelphia and Carson City are particularly valuable in all conditions due to their rarity.
Mintage: 1,815,200 (combined No Arrows and Arrows)
Rarity Scale: Scarce
Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: No Arrows and Arrows varieties
Market Demand: High, especially for No Arrows variety
Mintage: 214,560 (combined No Arrows and Arrows)
Rarity Scale: Rare
Circulation Status: Limited Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Very rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: No Arrows and Arrows varieties
Market Demand: High, due to low mintage and Carson City mint
Mintage: 228,000 (Arrows only)
Rarity Scale: Rare
Circulation Status: Limited Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Very rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: Only Arrows variety produced
Market Demand: High, due to low mintage and rarity
Strike quality is crucial for 1873 Half Dollars, as many were weakly struck. Well-struck examples with full details command higher premiums. Original luster is highly prized, especially on No Arrows varieties.
The Arrows/No Arrows distinction is a major value factor, with No Arrows generally being more valuable. For Carson City issues, the presence of a clear, well-defined mint mark can significantly increase value.
Toning can also play a role in value, with naturally toned coins often commanding premiums. However, artificial toning can negatively impact value.
