Price Guide for 1893 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.

1893 Half Dollar (Regular Strike)
  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $36.00 – $2,000.00
    Uncirculated: $4.00 – $28,800.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $16.00 – $611.00
    Uncirculated: $8.50 – $3,050.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $27.00 – $825.00
    Uncirculated: $875.00 – $36,500.00
1893-S Half Dollar (Regular Strike)
  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $29.00 – $3,220.00
    Uncirculated: $12.75 – $29,900.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $33.00 – $2,475.00
    Uncirculated: $4,182.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $100.00 – $2,700.00
    Uncirculated: $2,850.00 – $36,500.00
1893-O Half Dollar (Regular Strike)
  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $25.00 – $1,292.50
    Uncirculated: $3.00 – $23,000.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $17.00 – $656.00
    Uncirculated: $700.00 – $1,392.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $45.00 – $800.00
    Uncirculated: $875.00 – $13,000.00
1893 Half Dollar (Proof)
  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $460.00 – $2,070.00
    Uncirculated: $2.75 – $25,300.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $400.00
    Uncirculated: $600.00 – $4,500.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $250.00 – $575.00
    Uncirculated: $665.00 – $32,500.00
1893 Half Dollar TDR FS-801 (Regular Strike)
  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $493.50
    Uncirculated: $763.75 – $2,643.75
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $900.00 – $950.00
    Uncirculated: $1,000.00 – $3,250.00
1893 Half Dollar, CAM (Proof)
  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $2,900.00 – $11,000.00
    Uncirculated: $960.00 – $23,000.00
  • eBay
    Uncirculated: $1,699.99 – $3,051.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $750.00 – $25,000.00
1893 Half Dollar, DCAM (Proof)
  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $1,815.00 – $18,400.00
  • eBay
    Uncirculated: $6,800.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $3,000.00 – $25,000.00

Design and Specifications of the 1893 Half Dollar

The 1893 Half Dollar is part of the Barber coinage series, which replaced the long-running Seated Liberty design. Named after its designer, Charles E. Barber, the Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint, this series was introduced in 1892 and continued until 1915. The year 1893 is particularly notable as it coincided with the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, though this event was commemorated on a separate half dollar design.

Weight 12.5 grams
Diameter 30.6 mm
Mint Marks O, S (New Orleans and San Francisco)
Composition 90% silver, 10% copper
Obverse Design Liberty Head (Barber), designed by Charles E. Barber
Reverse Design Heraldic Eagle, designed by Charles E. Barber

Rarity Factors and Value Drivers

The condition of 1893 Half Dollars significantly impacts their value. These coins often saw heavy circulation, making high-grade examples particularly scarce. Uncirculated specimens, especially those grading MS65 or higher, are extremely rare and highly valued by collectors.

Key factors affecting condition include strike quality, luster, and the presence of contact marks. The open fields on both obverse and reverse make the coins susceptible to bag marks and scratches, which can significantly impact grade and value.

Philadelphia (no mint mark)

Mintage: 1,826,792

Rarity Scale: Scarce

Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation

Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS65 and above

Varieties Errors: None significant

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

New Orleans (O)

Mintage: 1,389,000

Rarity Scale: Scarce

Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation

Preservation Rarity: Very rare in grades MS65 and above

Varieties Errors: None significant

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

San Francisco (S)

Mintage: 740,000

Rarity Scale: Scarce

Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation

Preservation Rarity: Extremely rare in grades MS65 and above

Varieties Errors: None significant

Market Demand: High, especially for well-preserved specimens

Toning can play a crucial role in the desirability of 1893 Half Dollars. Coins with attractive, natural toning often command premiums over untoned examples. The San Francisco mint coins are particularly valued due to their lower mintage and tendency to have better strikes.

The historical significance of the year 1893, with its connection to the World’s Columbian Exposition, adds interest for some collectors. Additionally, as part of the first two years of the Barber series, 1893 half dollars hold special appeal for type set collectors focusing on early dates of the design.

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