As of May, 2024, a 1856-S Half Dollar in circulated condition is worth between $125.00 and $6,000.00, while an uncirculated specimen can be valued between $6,500.00 and $35,000.00, depending on its grade and strike quality.

Looking back at auction records, the highest price was achieved by a Mint State grade that was hammered at $32,900.00 in the 04/21/2021 by renowned auctioneer Legend Rare Coin Auctions, showcasing the allure of top-tier rarities.

Designer: Thomas Sully/Christian Gobrecht
Edge: Reeded
Diameter: 30.00 millimeters
Weight: 12.40 grams
Mintage: 211,000
Mint: San Francisco
Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Series: Liberty Seated Half Dollars 1839-1891

1856-S Half Dollar (Regular Strike) – Price Chart

If you are aware of your coin’s grade, refer to the following chart to determine its value:

GradePrice($)
MS-6435,000.00
MS-63+17,500.00
MS-6312,500.00
MS-62+11,000.00
MS-6210,000.00
MS-618,000.00
MS-606,500.00
AU-58+6,000.00
AU-585,500.00
AU-55+4,000.00
AU-553,500.00
AU-53+3,000.00
AU-532,750.00
AU-50+2,600.00
AU-502,500.00
XF-45+2,250.00
XF-452,000.00
XF-401,750.00
VF-351,250.00
VF-301,000.00
VF-25850.00
VF-20750.00
F-15650.00
F-12550.00
VG-10400.00
VG-8350.00
G-6300.00
G-4250.00
AG-3175.00
FR-2125.00

If you are unsure of the grade, you can assess it based on the coin’s condition. More detailed information here.

GradeLowest Price($)Highest Price($)Average Price($)
Mint State6,500.0035,000.0014,357.14
About Uncirculated2,500.006,000.003,731.25
Extremely Fine1,750.002,250.002,000.00
Fine and Very Fine550.001,250.00841.67
Good and Very Good250.00400.00325.00
Poor, Fair, and About Good125.00175.00150.00

Please note that the estimated values are derived from the latest data in the PCGS Price Guide and are not guaranteed to be 100% accurate. We strongly recommend reviewing actual auction records, which can be filtered by grade. For further insights, refer to our analysis report, which is based on these data.

Also, there are multiple versions of the 1856 Liberty Seated Half Dollar. We recommend checking the values of these coins as well to ensure a comprehensive assessment.

Coin NameMin Circulated Price($)Max Circulated Price($)Min Uncirculated Price($)Max Uncirculated Price($)
1856 Half Dollar (Regular Strike)45.00800.00850.0017,500.00
1856-O Half Dollar (Regular Strike)45.00800.00850.009,000.00
1856 Half Dollar (Proof)N/AN/A4,000.0025,000.00
1856 Half Dollar, CAM (Proof)N/AN/A10,000.0060,000.00

Coins listed have various mint marks and designations indicating where they were minted and if they are special strikes. To learn more about what the different mint marks and designations mean, please refer to our Mint Mark Chart and Coin Designation Reference Chart.

1856-S Half Dollar (Regular Strike) – Auction Chart & Report

This tool is very user-friendly. Simply select the coin grade, and our system will provide detailed information including:

  • Lowest Sale Price
  • Highest Sale Price
  • Average Sale Price
  • Most Recent Sale Price
  • Number of Sales
  • Sales Volume

You can also select different time periods for your query: 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, or All time, with the default set to All time.

Grade:
1m 6m 1y 3y All

$109.00

Lowest Sale Price
$1,645.00

Highest Sale Price
$598.59

Average Sale Price
$276.00

Most Recent Sale Price
29

Number of Sales
$17,359.17

Sales Volume

Grade Impact Analysis

GradeLowest Price($)Highest Price($)Average Price($)
MS-65+14,300.0014,300.0014,300.00
MS-6432,900.0032,900.0032,900.00
MS-639,555.0013,200.0011,303.96
MS-626,600.006,900.006,750.00
MS-60587.005,290.002,068.39
AU-58764.005,606.002,628.33
AU-5515.753,162.501,702.75
AU-53978.002,585.001,695.75
AU-50236.002,350.001,025.02
XF-45288.001,840.00889.30
XF-40109.001,645.00598.59
VF-35261.00949.00702.86
VF-30184.00600.00407.71
VF-25219.00460.00375.17
VF-2013.50529.00216.57
F-15322.00322.00322.00
F-1215.00408.00229.71
VG-10190.00384.00238.60
VG-8106.00276.00183.33
G-6169.00186.00176.00
G-429.0029.0029.00
AG-3180.00180.00180.00
PO-154.00600.00327.00

The chart shows the min and max prices for the 1856-S Half Dollar (Regular Strike) coin across various grades from PO-1 to MS-65+. The prices generally increase as the grade improves, with MS-64 having the highest max price $32,900.00.

Within each grade, there is also variability in prices, likely due to factors like specific coin characteristics or market conditions at time of sale. Overall, the chart illustrates how coin grade is a key driver of value for this particular 1856-S Half Dollar (Regular Strike).

Auction House Comparison

The pie chart breaks down the market share of various auction houses for selling the 1856-S Half Dollar (Regular Strike) coin. Heritage Auctions dominates with 70.00% share, followed by Stack's Bowers / David Lawrence RC with 9.44% / 7.22% appearances respectively..

Price Trend Over Time

The graph presents a detailed analysis of the average annual auction sale price and frequency for the 1856-S Half Dollar (Regular Strike) coin over the years. This visual representation traces the coin's value fluctuations, illustrating periods of increase, decrease, or stability in its average auction price.

Such a historical view is indispensable for collectors, investors, or researchers who are keen on comprehending the market dynamics and the coin's value trend over an extended period.

Raw Auction Records

Here are the lasted auction records from the auction history of the past years. You can filter these records by coin grade.

GradeGrade SourceSellerPrice($)Sold Date
MS-60PCGSStack's Bowers2,040.0006/28/2023
G-6NGCHeritage Auctions169.0006/21/2023
F-12NGCHeritage Auctions408.0003/29/2023
XF-40ANACSHeritage Auctions276.0001/18/2023
XF-40PCGSHeritage Auctions420.0012/21/2022
MS-63PCGSDavid Lawrence RC9,555.0012/18/2022
F-12NGCHeritage Auctions312.0012/07/2022
VF-35PCGSHeritage Auctions752.4011/09/2022
VG-10ANACSHeritage Auctions384.0010/12/2022
F-12PCGSStack's Bowers384.0010/11/2022
MS-62NGCHeritage Auctions6,600.0010/09/2022
XF-40NGCHeritage Auctions1,440.0005/16/2022
VG-8NGCHeritage Auctions276.0005/16/2022
MS-63NGCHeritage Auctions13,200.0005/16/2022
AU-50PCGSStack's Bowers1,020.0004/13/2022
AU-58NGCLegend Rare Coin Auctions3,290.0010/28/2021
AG-3NGCHeritage Auctions180.0010/04/2021
MS-63PCGSLegend Rare Coin Auctions10,868.7505/27/2021
G-6PCGSHeritage Auctions186.0005/05/2021
MS-64PCGSLegend Rare Coin Auctions32,900.0004/21/2021
AU-50PCGSHeritage Auctions552.0012/09/2020
XF-40PCGSStack's Bowers312.0009/10/2020
VF-20PCGSStack's Bowers384.0009/10/2020
VG-10PCGSStack's Bowers216.0003/25/2020
XF-40PCGSStack's Bowers750.0003/25/2020
VF-20PCGSStack's Bowers288.0003/25/2020
AU-50PCGSStack's Bowers1,020.0003/25/2020
AU-50ANACSHeritage Auctions960.0002/12/2020
XF-40PCGSHeritage Auctions492.0002/05/2020
VF-20PCGSHeritage Auctions228.0001/22/2020
XF-40PCGSHeritage Auctions1,170.0001/12/2020
VF-30PCGSHeritage Auctions600.0010/25/2019
XF-40PCGSHeritage Auctions1,051.2010/24/2019
XF-40NGCHeritage Auctions216.0010/09/2019
XF-40NGCHeritage Auctions432.0008/28/2019
XF-45NGCHeritage Auctions990.0004/28/2019
MS-60NGCHeritage Auctions1,140.0001/14/2019
AU-50NGCHeritage Auctions660.0001/14/2019
XF-40NGCHeritage Auctions930.0004/29/2018
VF-20PCGSHeritage Auctions192.0003/13/2018
VG-8PCGSHeritage Auctions168.0003/13/2018
VF-35PCGSHeritage Auctions750.0002/22/2018
VG-8NONEGoldberg Auctioneers106.0002/19/2018
XF-45PCGSHeritage Auctions1,140.0001/03/2018
XF-40PCGSHeritage Auctions998.7504/26/2017
AU-53PCGSHeritage Auctions2,585.0002/16/2017
VF-30PCGSDavid Lawrence RC575.0005/08/2016
VF-30PCGSDavid Lawrence RC575.0001/10/2016
XF-45PCGSHeritage Auctions998.7501/06/2016
VF-25NGCHeritage Auctions446.5001/03/2016
VF-35PCGSHeritage Auctions881.2508/16/2015
AU-55PCGSHeritage Auctions2,115.0007/12/2015
AU-50NGCHeritage Auctions312.5507/07/2015
XF-40PCGSHeritage Auctions282.0006/07/2015
MS-63PCGSHeritage Auctions12,925.0005/12/2015
XF-40PCGSHeritage Auctions1,124.4704/26/2015
VF-20PCGSHeritage Auctions188.0002/10/2015
AU-58NGCHeritage Auctions3,055.0001/07/2015
VG-10PCGSDavid Lawrence RC190.0011/02/2014
XF-40PCGSStack's Bowers822.5010/31/2014
VF-35NGCHeritage Auctions499.3810/08/2014
MS-60NGCHeritage Auctions763.7507/10/2014
AU-50ANACSGreat Collections385.0006/08/2014
XF-40NGCHeritage Auctions411.2506/04/2014
XF-45NGCHeritage Auctions1,057.5006/04/2014
AU-50NGCHeritage Auctions470.0006/04/2014
AU-50PCGSHeritage Auctions2,232.5004/23/2014
AU-50PCGSStack's Bowers822.5002/05/2014
XF-40NGCHeritage Auctions1,645.0002/03/2014
AU-55PCGSDavid Lawrence RC2,700.0001/26/2014
AU-50NGCHeritage Auctions1,410.0001/08/2014
AU-50NGCHeritage Auctions705.0001/08/2014
AU-50PCGSHeritage Auctions2,350.0001/08/2014
XF-45PCGSHeritage Auctions1,410.0001/08/2014
XF-40ANACSHeritage Auctions423.0012/30/2013
AU-50ANACSHeritage Auctions646.0012/05/2013
AU-55PCGSHeritage Auctions2,938.0011/01/2013
VF-35PCGSHeritage Auctions764.0009/25/2013
VF-20PCGSHeritage Auctions529.0009/25/2013
VF-35PCGSHeritage Auctions764.0009/25/2013
AU-55PCGSStack's Bowers2,585.0007/27/2013
AU-50PCGSGreat Collections897.0007/07/2013
XF-45PCGSHeritage Auctions1,175.0007/01/2013
XF-45PCGSHeritage Auctions1,116.0006/05/2013
AU-58ANACSHeritage Auctions764.0004/24/2013
VF-20PCGSStack's Bowers141.0004/16/2013
VF-20PCGSStack's Bowers135.0004/16/2013
XF-45NGCHeritage Auctions1,234.0010/18/2012
VF-35PCGSHeritage Auctions823.0009/06/2012
F-12PCGSHeritage Auctions334.0005/30/2012
VF-35PCGSHeritage Auctions690.0005/30/2012
VF-30ANACSHeritage Auctions207.0004/30/2012
XF-45NGCDavid Lawrence RC489.0002/23/2012
XF-45PCGSHeritage Auctions1,265.0012/08/2011
VF-20ANACSHeritage Auctions374.0012/08/2011
AU-58PCGSHeritage Auctions5,606.0010/13/2011
AU-50PCGSHeritage Auctions1,955.0010/13/2011
AU-50PCGSHeritage Auctions748.0009/07/2011
AU-55PCGSStack's Bowers3,162.5008/18/2011
MS-63NGCStack's Bowers10,925.0008/18/2011
MS-60NCSStack's Bowers748.0008/13/2011
G-6PCGSHeritage Auctions173.0008/11/2011
MS-62NGCHeritage Auctions6,900.0004/27/2011
XF-45PCGSHeritage Auctions1,093.0001/05/2011
VF-35PCGSHeritage Auctions949.0012/02/2010
F-15NGCHeritage Auctions322.0012/02/2010
VF-30ANACSHeritage Auctions184.0008/11/2010
XF-40ANACSHeritage Auctions109.0008/11/2010
VF-30ANACSHeritage Auctions328.0008/02/2010
F-12ANACSHeritage Auctions74.0008/02/2010
AU-50NGCHeritage Auctions489.0006/02/2010
AU-50PCGSHeritage Auctions1,840.0004/28/2010
VG-10PCGSHeritage Auctions190.0012/03/2009
XF-45PCGSHeritage Auctions978.0012/03/2009
XF-45PCGSHeritage Auctions920.0007/01/2009
VF-25PCGSHeritage Auctions460.0007/01/2009
VF-20PCGSDavid Lawrence RC242.0003/26/2009
VF-35PCGSHeritage Auctions690.0012/04/2008
XF-45ICGHeritage Auctions299.0009/24/2008
AU-50ICGHeritage Auctions236.0009/24/2008
XF-40NCSHeritage Auctions489.0005/28/2008
VF-20NCSHeritage Auctions207.0003/19/2008
VF-35PCGSBowers & Merena748.0002/28/2008
PO-1NONEGoldberg Auctioneers54.0002/13/2008
PO-1PCGSStack's600.0011/13/2007
XF-45PCGSScotsman1,840.0010/19/2007
AU-53ANACSHeritage Auctions1,495.0005/01/2007
AU-55PCGSStack's2,760.0003/01/2007
AU-55ANACSHeritage Auctions546.0003/01/2007
AU-50PCGSStack's1,840.0003/01/2007
AU-55ANACSHeritage Auctions345.0002/20/2007
VF-35PCGSDavid Lawrence RC633.0002/19/2007
VF-35PCGSDavid Lawrence RC635.0002/19/2007
XF-45ANACSDavid Lawrence RC288.0002/12/2007
XF-45ANACSHeritage Auctions403.0001/24/2007
AU-55ANACSHeritage Auctions575.0010/24/2006
AU-50NONEStack's1,610.0010/01/2006
AU-58NGCDavid Lawrence RC1,955.0008/28/2006
XF-40ANACSHeritage Auctions489.0007/11/2006
AU-53ANACSHeritage Auctions978.0006/06/2006
XF-40ANACSHeritage Auctions575.0006/06/2006
AU-55ANACSHeritage Auctions748.0005/01/2006
AU-55ANACSDavid Lawrence RC1,956.0003/20/2006
XF-40NCSHeritage Auctions230.0001/30/2006
AU-50NCSHeritage Auctions575.0008/01/2005
AU-50ANACSHeritage Auctions748.0007/04/2005
VF-20ANACSHeritage Auctions92.0006/05/2005
AU-55ANACSHeritage Auctions1,495.0006/02/2005
MS-60NCSHeritage Auctions587.0005/09/2005
XF-40ANACSHeritage Auctions431.0003/28/2005
MS-63NGCDavid Lawrence RC10,350.0003/06/2005
VF-35ANACSHeritage Auctions261.0002/28/2005
G-4ANACSHeritage Auctions29.0002/09/2005
VF-25ANACSHeritage Auctions219.0001/17/2005
F-12ANACSHeritage Auctions81.0001/05/2005
XF-40ANACSHeritage Auctions546.0012/13/2004
XF-40ANACSHeritage Auctions299.0009/13/2004
XF-40ANACSHeritage Auctions391.0009/09/2004
VG-10ANACSHeritage Auctions213.0008/23/2004
XF-40ANACSHeritage Auctions247.0007/26/2004
AU-53NONEBowers & Merena1,725.0007/01/2004
XF-45ANACSHeritage Auctions472.0005/05/2003
AU-50PCGSHeritage Auctions1,783.0002/01/2003
AU-55PCGSHeritage Auctions1,840.0011/21/2002
XF-45PCGSHeritage Auctions633.0001/09/2002
XF-45NGCHeritage Auctions483.0010/06/2001
AU-50ANACSHeritage Auctions719.0010/03/2001
MS-60PCGSHeritage Auctions3,910.0010/03/2001
XF-45ANACSHeritage Auctions391.0010/03/2001
XF-40NONEHeritage Auctions357.0006/01/2000
AU-50NONEGoldberg Auctioneers690.0002/06/2000
MS-60PCGSBowers & Merena5,290.0001/05/1999
MS-65+NONEBowers & Merena14,300.0004/01/1997
AU-58NONEBowers & Merena1,100.0001/25/1996
AU-55NONEBowers & Merena1,760.0011/01/1988
VF-30NONEBowers & Merena385.0011/01/1988
AU-55NONEB. Max Mehl15.7506/01/1941
VF-20NONENumismatic Gallery18.5004/01/1941
F-12NONENumismatic Gallery15.0004/01/1941
VF-20NONENumismatic Gallery13.5004/01/1941