Price Guide for 1840 Half Dollar Variants

This guide presents price ranges for 1840 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.

1840 Half Dollar Small Letters (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $4.00 - $1,560.00
    Uncirculated: $4.35 - $25,850.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $78.77 - $899.99
    Uncirculated: $2,475.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $100.00 - $1,350.00
    Uncirculated: $1,500.00 - $35,000.00

1840-O Half Dollar (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $1.00 - $6,600.00
    Uncirculated: $1,035.00 - $36,718.75
  • eBay
    Circulated: $48.51 - $995.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $50.00 - $2,000.00
    Uncirculated: $2,750.00 - $50,000.00

1840-O Half Dollar WB-5 Large O (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $192.00 - $780.00

1840-O Half Dollar WB-9, Baseball Die Cracks (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $408.00 - $1,020.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $395.00 - $445.00

1840-O Half Dollar WB-11 Large O (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $276.00 - $312.00

1840-O Half Dollar WB-13 Large O (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $432.00

1840 (O) Half Dollar Medium Letters (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $10.00 - $5,290.00
    Uncirculated: $2,750.00 - $66,000.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $150.00 - $1,540.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $300.00 - $7,000.00
    Uncirculated: $7,500.00 - $80,000.00

1840 Half Dollar WB-3 RPD Rev of 1839 (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $139.00

1840 Half Dollar WB-4 Rev of 1839 (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $152.75 - $1,028.13
    Uncirculated: $16,450.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $220.00 - $500.01

1840 (O) Half Dollar WB-4 Rev of 1838, RPD (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $612.00 - $5,040.00
    Uncirculated: $940.00 - $18,800.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $3,500.00

1840-O Half Dollar WB-7 Very Small O (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $156.00 - $822.50
  • eBay
    Circulated: $172.73 - $531.00

1840-O Half Dollar WB-10 Small O (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $204.00 - $840.00
    Uncirculated: $1,880.00 - $6,600.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $1,100.00

1840-O Half Dollar WB-1 Large O (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $117.50 - $264.00
    Uncirculated: $1,762.50 - $4,800.00

1840 Half Dollar WB-9 Obv Die Crack Reverse of 1839 (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $144.00 - $228.00

1840 Half Dollar WB-5 Rev of 1839 (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $312.00

1840 Half Dollar WB-6 RPD Rev of 1839 (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $660.00

1840 Half Dollar WB-11 Reverse of 1839 (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $630.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $425.00

1840 Half Dollar WB-2 RPD Rev of 1839 (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $288.00

1840 Half Dollar WB-1 RPD Rev of 1839 (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $79.00 - $763.75
    Uncirculated: $1,880.00 - $3,055.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $135.00 - $1,350.00
    Uncirculated: $1,500.00 - $2,500.00

1840 Half Dollar WB-10 RPD, Reverse of 1839 (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $182.40 - $456.00
    Uncirculated: $1,050.00 - $18,800.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $256.99 - $500.00

1840 Half Dollar (Proof)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $1,155.00 - $109,250.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $74.75 - $595.00
    Uncirculated: $80.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $40,000.00 - $100,000.00

Design and Specifications of the 1840 Half Dollar

The 1840 Half Dollar features the Seated Liberty design, which was introduced in 1839. This design represents a significant shift in American coinage, moving away from the Capped Bust design. 1840 marked the first full year of production for the Seated Liberty Half Dollar, making it an important transitional year for collectors.

The coin was minted during a period of economic recovery following the Panic of 1837, reflecting the nation's growing need for circulating coinage as commerce expanded.

Weight 13.36 grams
Diameter 30.6 mm
Mint Marks Philadelphia (no mint mark), New Orleans (O)
Composition 90% silver, 10% copper
Obverse Design Seated Liberty, designed by Christian Gobrecht
Reverse Design Heraldic Eagle, designed by Christian Gobrecht

Rarity Factors and Value Drivers

The condition of 1840 Half Dollars significantly impacts their value. Due to extensive circulation and the coin's age, high-grade examples are scarce. Coins in Mint State (MS) condition, particularly MS65 and above, are extremely rare and highly valued.

For circulated coins, wear on Liberty's knee and breast, as well as on the eagle's wings and shield on the reverse, are key areas that determine grade. Original luster and minimal contact marks greatly enhance value in higher grades.

Philadelphia, No Mint Mark

Mintage: 1,435,008

Rarity Scale: Uncommon

Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation

Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS65 and above

Varieties Errors: Small Letters and Medium Letters reverse varieties

Market Demand: Moderate, with higher demand for high-grade specimens

New Orleans, O

Mintage: 855,100

Rarity Scale: Scarce

Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation

Preservation Rarity: Very rare in grades MS65 and above

Varieties Errors: None notable

Market Demand: High, especially for well-preserved examples

Strike quality is an important factor for 1840 Half Dollars. Well-struck coins with full details, especially on Liberty's head and the eagle's feathers, command premium prices.

Toning can significantly affect value. Coins with attractive, natural toning are highly prized by collectors. However, unattractive or artificial toning can decrease value.

The Small Letters and Medium Letters reverse varieties for the Philadelphia mint add interest for variety collectors, with the Medium Letters being scarcer.

As an early date in the Seated Liberty series, the 1840 Half Dollar holds additional appeal for type set collectors and series specialists, contributing to its overall market demand.

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