Price Guide for 1846 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.

1846 Half Dollar Tall Date (Regular Strike)
  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $2.15 – $2,090.00
    Uncirculated: $196.00 – $47,000.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $59.95 – $750.00
    Uncirculated: $582.00 – $1,402.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $75.00 – $1,600.00
    Uncirculated: $1,750.00 – $45,000.00
1846-O Half Dollar Tall Date (Regular Strike)
  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $7.25 – $5,728.13
    Uncirculated: $6,325.00 – $21,850.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $132.51 – $4,900.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $150.00 – $9,000.00
    Uncirculated: $12,500.00 – $22,500.00
1846 Half Dollar Medium Date (Regular Strike)
  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $2.00 – $960.00
    Uncirculated: $9.00 – $16,450.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $38.00 – $650.00
    Uncirculated: $1,086.00 – $1,814.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $60.00 – $1,100.00
    Uncirculated: $1,250.00 – $15,000.00
1846 Half Dollar 6/Horizontal 6 (Regular Strike)
  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $30.00 – $3,019.00
    Uncirculated: $65.00 – $14,950.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $338.33 – $1,975.00
    Uncirculated: $5,655.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $250.00 – $5,000.00
    Uncirculated: $6,500.00 – $27,500.00
1846-O Half Dollar Medium Date (Regular Strike)
  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $1.50 – $2,160.00
    Uncirculated: $12.00 – $27,025.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $30.00 – $875.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $40.00 – $2,250.00
    Uncirculated: $2,500.00 – $35,000.00
1846 Half Dollar Medium Date (Proof)
  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $2,645.00 – $35,000.00
    Uncirculated: $57.50 – $57,500.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $15,000.00 – $75,000.00
1846 Half Dollar WB-1 Med Date (Regular Strike)
  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $504.00 – $1,233.75
  • eBay
    Circulated: $99.00 – $250.00
1846 Half Dollar WB-4 Med Date MPD (Regular Strike)
  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $192.00 – $600.00
1846 Half Dollar WB-6 Med Date RPD (Regular Strike)
  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $720.00
    Uncirculated: $1,527.50
  • eBay
    Circulated: $2,801.23
1846 Half Dollar WB-8 Med Date (Regular Strike)
  • eBay
    Circulated: $181.50 – $1,400.00
1846 Half Dollar WB-9 Med Date (Regular Strike)
  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $660.00
1846 Half Dollar WB-10 Med Date DDO (Regular Strike)
  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $186.00 – $504.00
1846 Half Dollar WB-12 Tall Date (Regular Strike)
  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $198.00 – $920.00
    Uncirculated: $1,920.00 – $4,680.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $256.66 – $510.00
1846 Half Dollar WB-13 Tall Date Spiked 4 (Regular Strike)
  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $235.00 – $552.00
    Uncirculated: $1,645.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $250.00 – $454.58
1846 Half Dollar WB-15 Tall Date (Regular Strike)
  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $192.00
1846 Half Dollar WB-7, RPD FS-301 6/Horiz 6 (Regular Strike)
  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $431.00 – $3,525.00
    Uncirculated: $4,935.00 – $15,862.50
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $250.00 – $4,500.00
    Uncirculated: $6,000.00 – $26,500.00
1846-O Half Dollar WB-1 Medium Date RP6 (Regular Strike)
  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $105.75 – $528.00
1846-O Half Dollar WB-2 Medium Date RP6 (Regular Strike)
  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $1,080.00
1846-O Half Dollar WB-3 Medium Date (Regular Strike)
  • eBay
    Circulated: $78.87
1846-O Half Dollar WB-4 Medium Date RPD (Regular Strike)
  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $156.00 – $282.00
    Uncirculated: $1,527.50
1846-O Half Dollar WB-8 Medium Date (Regular Strike)
  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $94.00 – $600.00
    Uncirculated: $2,585.00 – $3,525.00
1846-O Half Dollar WB-12 Medium Date RP6 (Regular Strike)
  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $99.00 – $1,410.00
    Uncirculated: $6,462.50
  • eBay
    Circulated: $102.50 – $322.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $500.00 – $1,500.00
    Uncirculated: $6,000.00
1846-O Half Dollar WB-13 Medium Date RP6 (Regular Strike)
  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $2,040.00
1846-O Half Dollar WB-18 Medium Date DDO (Regular Strike)
  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $720.00
1846-O Half Dollar WB-22 Tall Date (Regular Strike)
  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $646.25 – $3,525.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $100.00 – $8,000.00
    Uncirculated: $11,000.00 – $22,500.00
1846-O Half Dollar WB-24 Tall Date (Regular Strike)
  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $336.00 – $1,080.00
1846 Half Dollar Medium Date, CAM (Proof)
  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $25,300.00

Design and Specifications of the 1846 Half Dollar

The 1846 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 symbolized the nation’s strength and stability. The year 1846 was notable as it fell during the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), a period of territorial expansion for the United States.

Weight 13.36 grams
Diameter 30.6 mm
Mint Marks New Orleans (O), Philadelphia (no mint mark)
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 1846 Half Dollars significantly impacts their value. Coins in higher mint state grades (MS60 and above) are particularly scarce and command substantial premiums. The strike quality can vary, with well-struck examples being more desirable. Original luster is a key factor, as many circulated extensively.

Toning can also play a role in value, with attractively toned specimens often commanding higher prices among collectors. The presence of marks or scratches can significantly reduce value, especially in higher grades.

Philadelphia, No Mint Mark

Mintage: 2,210,000

Rarity Scale: Uncommon

Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation

Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS65 and above

Varieties Errors: Medium Date, Tall Date

Market Demand: Moderate, with higher demand for well-preserved specimens

New Orleans, O

Mintage: 2,304,000

Rarity Scale: Uncommon

Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation

Preservation Rarity: Very rare in grades MS65 and above

Varieties Errors: None significant

Market Demand: Moderate, with higher demand for high-grade examples

Variety collectors may pay a premium for the Medium Date and Tall Date varieties of the Philadelphia issue. The New Orleans (O) mint mark adds interest for some collectors, as coins from this mint often have softer strikes and are harder to find in high grades.

The historical context of the Mexican-American War can add appeal for history-oriented collectors. Additionally, as these coins are over 175 years old, well-preserved examples with minimal wear and good eye appeal are highly sought after by type set collectors and Seated Liberty series specialists.

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