1859 50C PR(PCGS#6413)

June 2026 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

2123

Grade

PR66

Price

9,150

Lot Description

This is an elusive issue even in lower grades, the present upper Gem offering exceptional quality and eye appeal that will appeal to even the most discerning collectors. Originally and attractively preserved, both sides exhibit partial halos of copper-blue peripheral toning that yield to softer golden-russet patina elsewhere. Viewing with the aid of direct lighting calls forth not only iridescent undertones of blue, pink and apricot-gold, but nice reflectivity to the finish in the fields. The design motifs are sharply struck with a softly frosted texture, and the entire package is silky smooth in appearance.<p>Proof 1859 half dollars are remarkably scarce in today's market despite the production of 800 coins. These were struck at a time when the Mint was just beginning to market yearly Proof coinage to collectors, and the mintage of 800 pieces proved overly optimistic relative to actual sales. Those examples that remained undistributed by year's end were either melted or later released into commerce, in either case the coins lost to future generations of numismatists.