1849 Seated Liberty Half Dollar
| Weight | 13.36 grams |
| Diameter | 30.6 mm |
| Mint | Philadelphia |
| Mintage | 1,252,000 |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Alignment | ↑↓ Coin |
| Composition | 90% Silver, 10% Copper |
| Designer | Christian Gobrecht |
| Collector's Key ID | CK-3843 |
Philadelphia delivered 1,252,000 half dollars in 1849 as the California Gold Rush reached full scale. Thousands of prospectors were crossing the continent or sailing around Cape Horn. The flood of gold pouring out of California was driving down the price of gold relative to silver, which meant silver coins were becoming worth more than their face value in gold terms. By the early 1850s, silver half dollars would be melted and exported in large quantities, a problem Congress would address with the Arrows and Rays act of 1853.
| Grade | Description | Typical Price |
|---|---|---|
| G-4 | Good (G) | $75–$86 |
| VG-8 | Very Good (VG) | $95–$110 |
| F-12 | Fine (F) | $136–$157 |
| VF-20 | Very Fine (VF) | $178–$205 |
| EF-40 | Extremely Fine (EF) | $340–$390 |
| AU-50 | About Uncirculated (AU) | $415–$475 |
| MS-60 | Uncirculated (MS) | $825–$950 |
| MS-63 | Choice Uncirculated (MS) | $2,370–$2,510 |
This table is for educational purposes only and is intended to illustrate general market price trends and pricing steps between grades. Actual market conditions may vary significantly, especially for rarer pieces that often command premiums above the ranges shown here.
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