Price Guide for 1839 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: $4.00 – $29,900.00Uncirculated: $253.00 – $38,775.00
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eBayCirculated: $43.00 – $1,850.00Uncirculated: $498.00 – $1,900.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $80.00 – $2,100.00Uncirculated: $2,250.00 – $75,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $264.00 – $85,187.50
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $27,500.00 – $160,000.00Uncirculated: $250,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $5.70 – $9,900.00Uncirculated: $276.00 – $172,500.00
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eBayCirculated: $103.00 – $4,500.00Uncirculated: $5,500.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $150.00 – $11,000.00Uncirculated: $12,500.00 – $225,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $24,000.00 – $54,625.00Uncirculated: $35.00 – $241,500.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $100,000.00 – $300,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $5.50 – $1,855.56Uncirculated: $5.80 – $21,600.00
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eBayCirculated: $7.50 – $1,488.02Uncirculated: $1,525.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $50.00 – $2,250.00Uncirculated: $2,500.00 – $35,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $99,875.00 – $184,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $175,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $4.50 – $15,000.00Uncirculated: $20.00 – $161,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $214.91 – $6,100.00Uncirculated: $2,511.20 – $8,900.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $500.00 – $11,500.00Uncirculated: $12,500.00 – $325,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $66.06 – $1,825.00Uncirculated: $975.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $100,000.00Uncirculated: $250,000.00 – $400,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $51,750.00Uncirculated: $45.00 – $373,750.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $125,000.00 – $425,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $432.00 – $720.00
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eBayCirculated: $66.20 – $729.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,020.00
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eBayCirculated: $1,075.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $312.00 – $1,260.00
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eBayCirculated: $399.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $144.00 – $288.00Uncirculated: $2,040.00 – $51,700.00
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eBayCirculated: $326.00 – $625.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $2,250.00 – $60,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $3,055.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $168.00 – $1,560.00Uncirculated: $1,320.00 – $39,950.00
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eBayCirculated: $665.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $38,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $264.00 – $456.00Uncirculated: $4,320.00
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eBayCirculated: $449.98
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $134.00 – $90,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $27,500.00 – $160,000.00Uncirculated: $250,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $900.00 – $5,640.00Uncirculated: $5,405.00 – $211,500.00
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eBayCirculated: $758.00 – $1,451.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $2,500.00 – $7,500.00Uncirculated: $125,000.00 – $225,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $47.95
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $432.00 – $4,717.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,560.00 – $4,560.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $228.00 – $7,050.00Uncirculated: $30,550.00 – $141,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $1,726.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,140.00Uncirculated: $5,760.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,320.00 – $2,400.00
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eBayCirculated: $2,125.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $156.00 – $432.00Uncirculated: $1,020.00 – $21,150.00
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eBayCirculated: $312.00 – $399.50Uncirculated: $130.17
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $45.00 – $1,750.00Uncirculated: $2,000.00 – $27,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $312.00 – $960.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $288.00Uncirculated: $4,080.00
Design and Specifications of the 1839 Half Dollar
The 1839 Half Dollar marks a significant transition in U.S. coinage design. This year saw the introduction of the Seated Liberty design for the half dollar, replacing the Capped Bust design that had been in use since 1807. The Seated Liberty design, created by Christian Gobrecht, would continue to be used on half dollars until 1891, making it one of the longest-running designs in U.S. coinage history.
1839 was also notable as the first year the New Orleans Mint produced half dollars, expanding the nation’s minting capacity to meet the growing demand for coinage in the expanding country.
| Weight | 13.36 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 30.61 mm |
| Mint Marks | No mint mark (Philadelphia), O (New Orleans) |
| Composition | 90% silver, 10% copper |
| Obverse Design | Seated Liberty, designed by Christian Gobrecht |
| Reverse Design | Heraldic eagle, designed by John Reich (modified by Christian Gobrecht) |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of 1839 Half Dollars significantly impacts their value. Due to their age and circulation, high-grade specimens are scarce. Coins in Mint State conditions, particularly MS65 and above, are extremely rare and valuable.
For Philadelphia issues, the No Drapery and With Drapery varieties can affect value, with the No Drapery being scarcer. The New Orleans issues are particularly valuable in higher grades due to their low mintage and historical significance.
Mintage: 1,392,976
Rarity Scale: Scarce
Circulation Status: Limited Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: No Drapery and With Drapery varieties
Market Demand: High, due to first year of type status
Mintage: 116,000
Rarity Scale: Rare
Circulation Status: Limited Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Very rare in grades MS63 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: High, due to low mintage and first year of New Orleans Mint
Strike quality is crucial for 1839 Half Dollars. Well-struck examples with full details on Liberty’s head and the eagle’s feathers command premiums. Original luster is highly prized, especially on Philadelphia issues.
For New Orleans coins, the presence and strength of the mint mark can affect value. Coins with attractive, natural toning are often more desirable to collectors, particularly if the toning is vibrant and even.
As the first year of a new design, 1839 Half Dollars hold special appeal for type collectors, which can drive up demand and prices for high-grade examples.
