Price Guide for 1872 Half Dollar Variants

This guide presents price ranges for 1872 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.

1872 Half Dollar (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $2.25 - $1,200.00
    Uncirculated: $322.00 - $21,150.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $36.56 - $675.00
    Uncirculated: $237.55 - $2,400.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $55.00 - $950.00
    Uncirculated: $1,000.00 - $12,500.00

1872-CC Half Dollar (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $7.65 - $12,075.00
    Uncirculated: $345.00 - $100,625.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $102.00 - $3,006.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $200.00 - $25,000.00
    Uncirculated: $30,000.00 - $70,000.00

1872-S Half Dollar (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $47.00 - $1,704.00
    Uncirculated: $600.00 - $29,375.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $62.99 - $910.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $55.00 - $2,000.00
    Uncirculated: $2,500.00 - $35,000.00

1872 Half Dollar (Proof)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $345.00 - $546.00
    Uncirculated: $4.00 - $12,925.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $515.02
    Uncirculated: $521.50 - $1,250.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $600.00 - $850.00
    Uncirculated: $900.00 - $12,500.00

1872 Half Dollar WB-1 (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $192.00 - $223.25
    Uncirculated: $1,140.00 - $7,637.50

1872 Half Dollar WB-2 MPD (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $480.00
    Uncirculated: $2,880.00 - $6,000.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $8,000.00

1872-CC Half Dollar WB-1 Large CC (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $840.00 - $7,800.00
    Uncirculated: $22,800.00

1872-S Half Dollar WB-1 Small Wide S (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $204.00 - $552.00

1872-S Half Dollar WB-3 Medium-Small S (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $576.00 - $900.00
    Uncirculated: $3,120.00 - $12,925.00

1872-S Half Dollar WB-4 Medium-Small S (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $3,360.00 - $4,080.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $5,500.00

1872-CC Half Dollar WB-7 Large CC (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $288.00

1872 Half Dollar, CAM (Proof)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $4,200.00 - $4,993.75
    Uncirculated: $763.75 - $15,275.00
  • eBay
    Uncirculated: $1,200.00 - $1,750.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $1,100.00 - $50,000.00

1872-CC Half Dollar WB-8 Large CC (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $552.00 - $10,800.00

1872 Half Dollar, DCAM (Proof)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $1,725.00 - $17,250.00

Design and Specifications of the 1872 Half Dollar

The 1872 Half Dollar is part of the Seated Liberty series, which was produced from 1839 to 1891. This design, featuring Lady Liberty seated on a rock, was a significant departure from earlier coin designs and represented American ideals of liberty and freedom. The year 1872 was notable for its relatively low mintages across all mints, making coins from this year generally more sought after by collectors.

Weight 12.44 grams
Diameter 30.6 mm
Mint Marks Philadelphia (no mint mark), San Francisco (S), Carson City (CC)
Composition 90% silver, 10% copper
Obverse Design Seated Liberty, designed by Christian Gobrecht
Reverse Design Eagle with shield, designed by Christian Gobrecht

Rarity Factors and Value Drivers

The condition of 1872 Half Dollars significantly impacts their value. Due to their age and circulation, finding high-grade examples is challenging. Coins in Mint State (MS) condition are rare and highly prized. Even in circulated grades, well-preserved examples with clear details and minimal wear command premium prices.

The Carson City (CC) mint mark adds substantial value in all grades due to its lower mintage and the popularity of CC coins among collectors. San Francisco (S) mint coins are also valued higher than their Philadelphia counterparts in comparable grades.

Philadelphia, No Mint Mark

Mintage: 880,000

Rarity Scale: Scarce

Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation

Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS65 and above

Varieties Errors: None significant

Market Demand: High, especially for well-preserved specimens

San Francisco, S

Mintage: 580,000

Rarity Scale: Scarce

Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation

Preservation Rarity: Very rare in grades MS65 and above

Varieties Errors: None significant

Market Demand: High, particularly for high-grade examples

Carson City, CC

Mintage: 272,000

Rarity Scale: Rare

Circulation Status: Limited Circulation

Preservation Rarity: Extremely rare in grades MS65 and above

Varieties Errors: None significant

Market Demand: Very high, especially for well-preserved specimens

Strike quality is crucial for 1872 Half Dollars. Well-struck coins with full details, especially on Liberty's head and the eagle's feathers, are more desirable. Original luster significantly enhances value in uncirculated grades.

Toning can add value if it's attractive and natural. Coins with vibrant, multi-colored toning are often sought after by collectors. However, any signs of cleaning or harsh conservation efforts can severely diminish value.

For Carson City coins, the prominence and clarity of the CC mint mark is an important factor, as weak strikes on the mint mark are common for this issue.

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