Price Guide for 1839 Half Dollar Variants

This guide presents price ranges for 1839 Half Dollar 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.

1839 Half Dollar Capped Bust (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $4.00 - $29,900.00
    Uncirculated: $253.00 - $38,775.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $43.00 - $1,850.00
    Uncirculated: $498.00 - $1,900.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $80.00 - $2,100.00
    Uncirculated: $2,250.00 - $75,000.00
More Detail

1839 Half Dollar Capped Bust, Small Letters (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $264.00 - $85,187.50
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $27,500.00 - $160,000.00
    Uncirculated: $250,000.00
More Detail

1839-O Half Dollar (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $4.50 - $15,000.00
    Uncirculated: $20.00 - $161,000.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $214.91 - $6,100.00
    Uncirculated: $2,511.20 - $8,900.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $500.00 - $11,500.00
    Uncirculated: $12,500.00 - $325,000.00
More Detail

1839 Half Dollar Capped Bust (Proof)

  • eBay
    Circulated: $66.06 - $1,825.00
    Uncirculated: $975.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $100,000.00
    Uncirculated: $250,000.00 - $400,000.00
More Detail

1839 Half Dollar No Drapery (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $5.70 - $9,900.00
    Uncirculated: $276.00 - $172,500.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $103.00 - $4,500.00
    Uncirculated: $5,500.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $150.00 - $11,000.00
    Uncirculated: $12,500.00 - $225,000.00
More Detail

1839 Half Dollar Drapery (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $5.50 - $1,855.56
    Uncirculated: $5.80 - $21,600.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $7.50 - $1,488.02
    Uncirculated: $1,525.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $50.00 - $2,250.00
    Uncirculated: $2,500.00 - $35,000.00
More Detail

1839 Half Dollar WB-1 No Drapery (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $228.00 - $7,050.00
    Uncirculated: $30,550.00 - $141,000.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $1,726.00
More Detail

1839 Half Dollar WB-5 Drapery (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $156.00 - $432.00
    Uncirculated: $1,020.00 - $21,150.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $312.00 - $399.50
    Uncirculated: $130.17
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $45.00 - $1,750.00
    Uncirculated: $2,000.00 - $27,500.00
More Detail

1839-O Half Dollar (Special Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $51,750.00
    Uncirculated: $45.00 - $373,750.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $125,000.00 - $425,000.00
More Detail

1839 Half Dollar WB-2 No Drapery (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $1,140.00
    Uncirculated: $5,760.00
More Detail

1839 Half Dollar WB-4 No Drapery (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $1,320.00 - $5,880.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $2,125.00
More Detail

1839 Half Dollar WB-6 Drapery (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $312.00 - $960.00
More Detail

1839 Half Dollar WB-7 Drapery (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $288.00
    Uncirculated: $4,080.00
More Detail

1839 Half Dollar GR-1, Small Letters (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $134.00 - $90,000.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $27,500.00 - $160,000.00
    Uncirculated: $250,000.00
More Detail

1839 Half Dollar GR-2 (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $432.00 - $720.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $66.20 - $729.00
More Detail

1839 Half Dollar GR-3 (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $1,020.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $1,075.00
More Detail

1839 Half Dollar GR-4 (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $312.00 - $1,260.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $399.00
More Detail

1839 Half Dollar GR-5 (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $144.00 - $288.00
    Uncirculated: $2,040.00 - $51,700.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $326.00 - $625.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $2,250.00 - $60,000.00
More Detail

1839 Half Dollar GR-6 (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $3,055.00
More Detail

1839 Half Dollar GR-7 (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $168.00 - $1,560.00
    Uncirculated: $1,320.00 - $39,950.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $665.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $38,500.00
More Detail

1839 Half Dollar GR-8 (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $264.00 - $456.00
    Uncirculated: $4,320.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $449.98
More Detail

1839-O Half Dollar GR-1 RPM (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $900.00 - $5,640.00
    Uncirculated: $5,405.00 - $211,500.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $758.00 - $1,451.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $2,500.00 - $7,500.00
    Uncirculated: $125,000.00 - $225,000.00
More Detail

1839-O Half Dollar GR-2 (Regular Strike)

  • eBay
    Circulated: $47.95
More Detail

1839-O Half Dollar GR-4 RPM (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $432.00 - $4,717.00
More Detail

1839-O Half Dollar GR-5 (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $1,560.00 - $4,560.00
More Detail

1839 Half Dollar No Drapery (Proof)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $24,000.00 - $54,625.00
    Uncirculated: $35.00 - $241,500.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $100,000.00 - $300,000.00
More Detail

1839 Half Dollar Drapery (Proof)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $99,875.00 - $184,000.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $175,000.00
More Detail

Design and Specifications of the 1839 Half Dollar

The 1839 Half Dollar marks a significant transition in U.S. coinage design. This year saw the introduction of the Seated Liberty design for the half dollar, replacing the Capped Bust design that had been in use since 1807. The Seated Liberty design, created by Christian Gobrecht, would continue to be used on half dollars until 1891, making it one of the longest-running designs in U.S. coinage history.

1839 was also notable as the first year the New Orleans Mint produced half dollars, expanding the nation's minting capacity to meet the growing demand for coinage in the expanding country.

Weight 13.36 grams
Diameter 30.61 mm
Mint Marks No mint mark (Philadelphia), O (New Orleans)
Composition 90% silver, 10% copper
Obverse Design Seated Liberty, designed by Christian Gobrecht
Reverse Design Heraldic eagle, designed by John Reich (modified by Christian Gobrecht)

Rarity Factors and Value Drivers

The condition of 1839 Half Dollars significantly impacts their value. Due to their age and circulation, high-grade specimens are scarce. Coins in Mint State conditions, particularly MS65 and above, are extremely rare and valuable.

For Philadelphia issues, the No Drapery and With Drapery varieties can affect value, with the No Drapery being scarcer. The New Orleans issues are particularly valuable in higher grades due to their low mintage and historical significance.

Philadelphia, No Mint Mark

Mintage: 1,392,976

Rarity Scale: Scarce

Circulation Status: Limited Circulation

Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS65 and above

Varieties Errors: No Drapery and With Drapery varieties

Market Demand: High, due to first year of type status

New Orleans, O

Mintage: 116,000

Rarity Scale: Rare

Circulation Status: Limited Circulation

Preservation Rarity: Very rare in grades MS63 and above

Varieties Errors: None significant

Market Demand: High, due to low mintage and first year of New Orleans Mint

Strike quality is crucial for 1839 Half Dollars. Well-struck examples with full details on Liberty's head and the eagle's feathers command premiums. Original luster is highly prized, especially on Philadelphia issues.

For New Orleans coins, the presence and strength of the mint mark can affect value. Coins with attractive, natural toning are often more desirable to collectors, particularly if the toning is vibrant and even.

As the first year of a new design, 1839 Half Dollars hold special appeal for type collectors, which can drive up demand and prices for high-grade examples.

5/5 - (13 votes)

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Chris Yang is the Co-Founder of Coins-Value, a leading platform for antique and modern U.S. coin valuation. With a deep passion for numismatics and extensive expertise in personal finance, Chris leverages advanced AI technology to provide accurate coin valuations and financial guidance. His commitment to helping collectors and individuals navigate the world of finance has made Coins-Value a trusted resource in the industry.

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