Price Guide for 1882 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: $242.00 – $2,760.00Uncirculated: $500.00 – $74,750.00
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eBayCirculated: $28.20 – $1,150.00Uncirculated: $650.00 – $710.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $350.00 – $2,100.00Uncirculated: $2,250.00 – $50,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $265.00 – $1,265.00Uncirculated: $3.15 – $16,867.00
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eBayCirculated: $700.00Uncirculated: $841.30 – $2,650.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $700.00 – $850.00Uncirculated: $900.00 – $40,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $3,642.50
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eBayUncirculated: $1,895.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $7,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $456.00 – $750.00Uncirculated: $1,410.00 – $9,400.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,468.75 – $1,645.00Uncirculated: $630.00 – $15,275.00
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eBayUncirculated: $1,000.00 – $2,800.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,100.00 – $50,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $6,000.00 – $8,000.00Uncirculated: $1,762.50 – $43,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $2,500.00 – $60,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $3,360.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,920.00 – $2,160.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $3,000.00
Design and Specifications of the 1882 Half Dollar
The 1882 Seated Liberty Half Dollar is part of the long-running Seated Liberty series, which began in 1839 and continued until 1891. This design, featuring Lady Liberty seated on a rock, was a significant departure from earlier coin designs and became iconic in American numismatics.
The year 1882 saw relatively low mintages across all mints, making these coins somewhat scarce in today’s market. This was partly due to the economic conditions of the time and the continued production of Trade Dollars for international commerce.
| Weight | 12.44 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 30.6 mm |
| Mint Marks | Philadelphia (no mint mark), San Francisco (S), New Orleans (O) |
| Composition | 90% silver, 10% copper |
| Obverse Design | Seated Liberty, designed by Christian Gobrecht |
| Reverse Design | Heraldic eagle with shield, designed by Christian Gobrecht |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of an 1882 Half Dollar has a significant impact on its value. Due to the low mintages and age of these coins, high-grade specimens are exceptionally rare and command substantial premiums.
For Philadelphia and San Francisco issues, coins in Mint State are particularly valuable. Even for the more common New Orleans mintage, uncirculated examples are scarce and highly sought after. The presence of original luster and absence of significant contact marks greatly enhance the coin’s desirability and value.
Mintage: 4,400
Rarity Scale: Rare
Circulation Status: Limited Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Extremely rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant noted
Market Demand: High, especially for well-preserved specimens
Mintage: 1,200,000
Rarity Scale: Uncommon
Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant noted
Market Demand: Moderate to High, depending on condition
Mintage: 4,400,000
Rarity Scale: Common for the series
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant noted
Market Demand: Moderate, higher for well-preserved specimens
Strike quality is an important factor for 1882 Half Dollars. Well-struck coins with full details on Liberty’s head and the eagle’s feathers are more valuable. Toning can also significantly affect value, with coins displaying attractive, natural toning often commanding premiums.
For the rare Philadelphia issue, even circulated examples in grades like VF or XF are highly collectible due to the extremely low mintage. The San Francisco issue, while more common, is still scarce in high grades and sought after by collectors focusing on western mints.
