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Following the issuance of the 1892 Columbian Exposition half dollar, the first United States commemorative coin, the US Mint released a second run of Columbian halves in 1893. While the World's Columbian Exposition was intended to open in 1892 to honor the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' transatlantic expedition in 1492, the event did not kick off until 1893. The United States Mint sold the 1893 Columbian half dollars at the fair for $1 each, and the popular coins were sold in huge numbers of more than 1.5 million.
The Columbian Exposition half dollars were designed by Charles E. Barber and George T. Morgan. Though seeing a large mintage, the 1893 Columbian half dollar was widely distributed, many did not wind up in proper coin collections but rather were squirreled away in change jars and boxes and eventually spent. In fact, most Columbian halves encountered today show wear. Gem uncirculated specimens are tough, with MS66s very scarce and examples grading MS67 or better quite rare.
Catalog Information
GSID:
10303
Designer:
Charles E. Barber, George T. Morgan
Obverse Designer:
Charles E. Barber
Reverse Designer:
George T. Morgan
Fineness:
0.9
Weight (gr):
12.5 gr
Weight (oz):
0.475 oz
Precious Metal Weight:
0.3617 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
30.6
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Reeded
Variety:
Columbian Exposition
Coin Date:
1893
Denomination:
50c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
1,550,405
Coinage Type:
Classic Commemorative
Coinage Years:
1892-1954
Composition:
90% silver; 10% copper
PCGS #:
9297
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Subject: I would like to contribute catalog info to CDN for 1893 50c Columbian Exposition MS
Body: Referring page: http://www.greysheet.com/prices/item/1893-columbian-50c-silver-united-states-commemorative-coin/gsid/10303 GSID: 10303 Title: 1893 50c Columbian Exposition MS
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Coin Value History
1893 50c Columbian Exposition MS
Value By Grade
1893 50c Columbian Exposition MS
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
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Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS68 |
|
$14,500 | $1,234 |
| MS68 | - | $12,000 | $1,234 |
| MS67 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS67 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS66 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS66 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
1893 25c Isabella MS
Worth: $135 – $56,000
1900 $1 Lafayette MS
Worth: $200 – $80,000
1921 50c Alabama MS
Worth: $90 – $20,250
1921 50c Alabama, 2x2 MS
Worth: $105 – $18,000
1936 50c Albany MS
Worth: $170 – $16,800
1937 50c Antietam MS
Worth: $400 – $35,000
Arkansas 50c MS [Type]
![Arkansas 50c MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/Ctc/CatalogEntry/ha_com_1302_4459-2.20200702183226140.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $75 – $20,000
1935-PDS Set Arkansas MS
Worth: $225 – $4,500
1935 50c Arkansas MS
Worth: $75 – $1,800
1935-D 50c Arkansas MS
Worth: $75 – $24,000
1935-S 50c Arkansas MS
Worth: $75 – $1,200
1936-PDS Set Arkansas MS
Worth: $225 – $4,620
1936 50c Arkansas MS
Worth: $75 – $1,620
1936-D 50c Arkansas MS
Worth: $75 – $20,000
1936-S 50c Arkansas MS
Worth: $75 – $1,800
1893 Columbian Exposition. MS-64 (PCGS).
$159
1893 Columbian Exposition. MS-66 (PCGS).
$793
1893 50C Columbian MS63 NGC. Housed in a Generation 5 fatty holder. Mintage 1,550,405. ...
$159
1893 50C Columbian MS65 NGC. Mintage 1,550,405. ...
$305
1893 50C Columbian MS67 PCGS. Ex: J F S Collection. PCGS Population: 54 in 67 (8 in 67+), 0 finer (2/26). Mintage 1,550,405...
$2,074
1893 Columbian Exposition. MS-62 (PCGS).
$105
1893 50C Columbian Half Dollar With Original Case, AU58 PCGS. Many Columbian half dollars were not well cared for by their ...
$1,920
1893 Columbian Exposition. Unc Details--Cleaned (PCGS).
$65
1893 Columbian Exposition. MS-61 (PCGS). OGH.
$120
1893 50C Columbian AU55 NGC. Gold CAC. NGC Census: (182/6088). PCGS Population: (384/7138). AU55. Mintage 1,550,405. ...
$228
1893 Columbian 50c NGC AU53
$41
1893 Columbian 50c NGC XF45
$22
1893 50C Columbian AG3 PCGS. CAC. PCGS Population (7/6296). NGC Census: (0/5261). Mintage: 1,550,405. (#9297)...
$30
1893 50C Columbian--Improperly Cleaned--MS60 NCS. UNC Details. NGC Census: (19/4636). PCGS Population (112/4631). Mintage: ...
$15
1893 50C Columbian--Cleaned--ANACS. XF40 Details. NGC Census: (5/4934). PCGS Population (15/5576). Mintage: 1,550,405. Numi...
$10
1893 50C Columbian Exposition--Cleaned--ANACS. VF30 Details; 1893 Columbian Exposition--Damaged--ANACS. XF45 Details.(3)1893 ... (Total: 10 coins)
$117
1893 50C Columbian AU50--Cleaned--ANACS, UNC Details. The current Coin Dealer Newsletter (Greysheet) wholesale "bid" price is...
$18
1893 Columbian Fair2 PCGS. ...
$15
1893 Columbian Good4 PCGS. ...
$9
1893 50C Columbian MS64 PCGS. Mintage 1,550,405. ...
$171
Greysheet News
Stack's Bowers Galleries' Summer 2026 Global Showcase Auction Realizes Over $70 Million
10/7/2026
The Business of Numismatics: October 2026 Greysheet Editor's Letter
While reviewing the initial results in various categories of recent auctions, my initial take is that the sales were moderate to strong.
10/6/2026
Mack C. Chase Collection of Walking Liberty Half Dollars to Anchor Stack's Bowers Galleries' November 2026 Showcase Auction
More than 300 lots, consisting of high quality Walking Liberty half dollars from the Mack C. Chase Collection are set to cross the auction block as part of Stack's Bowers Galleries' November Showcase Auction, the official auction of the Whitman Expo.
10/6/2026
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Saturday, August 1, 2026
