Price Guide for 1843 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: $2.00 – $3,220.00Uncirculated: $3.60 – $44,063.00
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eBayCirculated: $23.50 – $832.00Uncirculated: $250.00 – $1,099.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $45.00 – $1,200.00Uncirculated: $1,300.00 – $30,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $3.00 – $3,360.00Uncirculated: $2.35 – $32,200.00
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eBayCirculated: $37.59 – $1,200.00Uncirculated: $1,726.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $45.00 – $1,750.00Uncirculated: $2,000.00 – $30,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $70.00 – $44,062.50
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $35,000.00 – $60,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $120.00 – $450.00Uncirculated: $780.00 – $12,925.00
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eBayCirculated: $71.25
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $840.00 – $960.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $3,600.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $480.00 – $870.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $192.00 – $720.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $960.00 – $1,840.00Uncirculated: $2,937.50
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eBayUncirculated: $425.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $5,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $143.50
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $528.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $384.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $156.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $180.00 – $504.00Uncirculated: $1,320.00 – $23,500.00
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eBayCirculated: $211.62 – $899.99
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $192.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $168.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $264.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $216.00
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eBayCirculated: $1,075.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $312.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $374.00 – $1,320.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $504.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $240.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $58,750.00 – $86,250.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $125,000.00
Design and Specifications of the 1843 Half Dollar
The 1843 Half Dollar is part of the Seated Liberty series, which was produced from 1839 to 1891. This design, featuring Lady Liberty seated on a rock, was a significant departure from previous coin designs and represented a more artistic approach to American coinage.
The year 1843 saw continued economic recovery following the Panic of 1837, and these coins played an important role in everyday commerce during this period of growth and westward expansion.
| Weight | 13.36 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 30.61 mm |
| Mint Marks | Philadelphia (no mint mark), New Orleans (O) |
| Composition | 90% silver, 10% copper |
| Obverse Design | Seated Liberty, designed by Christian Gobrecht |
| Reverse Design | Heraldic Eagle, designed by John Reich and modified by Christian Gobrecht |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of 1843 Half Dollars significantly impacts their value. Coins in circulated grades are relatively common and affordable, but values increase substantially for uncirculated examples.
Strike quality is particularly important for this issue, as many specimens show weakness in certain areas, especially on the eagle’s talons and wing tips. Coins with full, sharp strikes command premiums.
Original luster and attractive toning can greatly enhance desirability among collectors, particularly for high-grade examples.
Mintage: 3,844,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, popular among type set collectors
Mintage: 2,268,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, slightly higher than Philadelphia due to mint mark
Mint state examples of the 1843 Half Dollar are scarce, with gems (MS65 and above) being rare for both mint locations. The New Orleans mintage is generally more challenging to find in high grades.
While not considered a key date, high-grade specimens from either mint can command significant premiums due to their scarcity. Collectors should be aware of potential cleaned or altered surfaces, as these can significantly decrease value.
The historical significance of the Seated Liberty design and its representation of mid-19th century America adds to the coin’s appeal among collectors and historians alike.
