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.
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $36.00 – $2,000.00Uncirculated: $4.00 – $28,800.00
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eBayCirculated: $16.00 – $611.00Uncirculated: $8.50 – $3,050.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $27.00 – $825.00Uncirculated: $875.00 – $36,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $29.00 – $3,220.00Uncirculated: $12.75 – $29,900.00
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eBayCirculated: $33.00 – $2,475.00Uncirculated: $4,182.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $100.00 – $2,700.00Uncirculated: $2,850.00 – $36,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $25.00 – $1,292.50Uncirculated: $3.00 – $23,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $17.00 – $656.00Uncirculated: $700.00 – $1,392.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $45.00 – $800.00Uncirculated: $875.00 – $13,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $460.00 – $2,070.00Uncirculated: $2.75 – $25,300.00
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eBayCirculated: $400.00Uncirculated: $600.00 – $4,500.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $250.00 – $575.00Uncirculated: $665.00 – $32,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $493.50Uncirculated: $763.75 – $2,643.75
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $900.00 – $950.00Uncirculated: $1,000.00 – $3,250.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $2,900.00 – $11,000.00Uncirculated: $960.00 – $23,000.00
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eBayUncirculated: $1,699.99 – $3,051.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $750.00 – $25,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,815.00 – $18,400.00
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eBayUncirculated: $6,800.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $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.
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
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
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.
