Price Guide for 1881 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.
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $89.00 – $1,320.00Uncirculated: $460.00 – $24,150.00
-
eBayCirculated: $227.00 – $1,087.50Uncirculated: $157.50 – $1,381.00
-
PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $300.00 – $1,500.00Uncirculated: $1,600.00 – $30,000.00
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $299.00 – $5,875.00Uncirculated: $4.20 – $17,308.00
-
eBayCirculated: $405.00 – $1,150.00Uncirculated: $661.99 – $3,150.00
-
PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $300.00 – $850.00Uncirculated: $900.00 – $40,000.00
-
3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $2,232.50 – $3,090.00
-
PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $3,000.00 – $4,500.00
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $312.00 – $1,800.00Uncirculated: $1,086.88 – $15,600.00
-
3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,293.00 – $6,612.50Uncirculated: $517.00 – $15,600.00
-
eBayUncirculated: $770.00 – $21,000.00
-
PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,100.00 – $20,000.00
-
3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $2,875.00 – $10,575.00
-
PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $2,000.00 – $15,000.00
Design and Specifications of the 1881 Half Dollar
The 1881 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 earlier coin designs and represented a more artistic approach to American coinage. The year 1881 saw relatively low mintages for this denomination, making it an interesting year for collectors.
| Weight | 12.5 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 30.6 mm |
| Mint Marks | P (Philadelphia, no mint mark), S (San Francisco) |
| 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 1881 Half Dollars significantly impacts their value. Due to their age and circulation, finding high-grade examples is challenging. Uncirculated specimens are particularly valuable, with those grading MS65 or higher commanding substantial premiums.
For Philadelphia issues, even circulated examples in VF or XF condition are highly sought after due to the extremely low mintage. San Francisco issues are more common but still valuable in higher grades.
Mintage: 10,000
Rarity Scale: Rare
Circulation Status: Limited Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Extremely rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant reported
Market Demand: High, especially for well-preserved specimens
Mintage: 1,497,000
Rarity Scale: Scarce
Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant reported
Market Demand: Moderate to High, depending on condition
Strike quality is crucial for 1881 Half Dollars. Well-struck coins with full details on Liberty’s head and the eagle’s feathers are more desirable. Original luster adds significant value, especially for uncirculated coins.
Toning can also play a role in valuation. Coins with attractive, natural toning are often preferred by collectors over bright white examples. However, any signs of cleaning or harsh treatment can severely diminish a coin’s value, regardless of its grade.
