Whitman Expo
While reviewing the initial results in various categories of recent auctions, my initial take is that the sales were moderate to strong.
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The 1926 Oregon Trail half dollar is the first of several issues of this particular commemorative type -- one that was struck until 1939. It reigns as the longest-produced design during the entire classic commemorative series, having been struck over the course of 14 years.
Many say the Oregon half dollar is one of the earliest types of commemoratives that was really afflicted by the abuses and manipulation that eventually brought an end to the commemorative coin program of 1892-1954. Regardless of the controversy surrounding this coin, which will be touched on in this and other listings for this piece, the Oregon half dollar is largely regarded as one of the most beautiful coins the United States Mint ever produced. It honors the 2,000-mile Oregon Trail and the many pioneers who charted the path and died along the route. The 1926 issues were sold for $1 each.
The coin was designed by husband-and-wife coin-designing team James Earle Fraser and Laura Gardin Fraser. The obverse shows a Native American standing before a geographical map of the continental United States, with an indication of the actual Oregon Trail across the applicable portion of map. The reverse shows a cattle-drive stagecoach rolling over a hill with a large sunset shining in the background.
In its first year of issue, the 1926 Oregon Trail half dollar saw production at the Philadelphia and San Francisco Mints. The Philadelphia and San Francisco offered a combined 131,010 examples, and most of the available specimens today are known in uncirculated grades. They are usually encountered in the grades of AU-MS65, with higher-grading pieces proving scarce. No Oregon half dollars were minted in 1927, and the next batch would come from Philadelphia in 1928.
Obverse Description
The obverse shows a Native American standing before a geographical map of the continental United States, with an indication of the actual Oregon Trail across the applicable portion of map.
Reverse Description
The reverse shows a cattle-drive stagecoach rolling over a hill with a large sunset shining in the background.
Catalog Information
GSID:
10339
Designer:
James Earle Fraser, Laura Gardin Fraser
Obverse Designer:
James Earle Fraser
Reverse Designer:
Laura Gardin Fraser
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:
Oregon Trail
Coin Date:
1926-S
Denomination:
50c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
San Francisco
Mint Mark:
S
Mintage:
83,055
Coinage Type:
Classic Commemorative
Coinage Years:
1892-1954
Composition:
90% silver; 10% copper
PCGS #:
9341
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Subject: I would like to contribute catalog info to CDN for 1926-S 50c Oregon Trail MS
Body: Referring page: http://www.greysheet.com/prices/item/1926-s-oregon-50c-silver-united-states-commemorative-coin/gsid/10339 GSID: 10339 Title: 1926-S 50c Oregon Trail MS
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Coin Value History
1926-S 50c Oregon Trail MS
Value By Grade
1926-S 50c Oregon Trail 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 |
|
$7,500 | $1,234 |
| MS68 | - | $4,500 | $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 |
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
1926-S Oregon Trail Memorial. MS-66 (PCGS).
$439
1926-S 50C Oregon -- Cleaned -- ANACS Details. Unc Details. Net AU50. Housed in a small-sized holder. Mintage 83,055. ...
$159
1926-S Oregon Trail Memorial. MS-65 (PCGS). Gold CAC. OGH.
$3,172
1926-S 50C Oregon MS64 PCGS. CDN: $225 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS64. Mintage 83,055. ...
$317
1926-S 50C Oregon MS67 PCGS. CDN: $525 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS67. Mintage 83,055. ...
$915
1926-S 50C Oregon MS63 PCGS. Housed in a Generation 1.2 "rattler" holder. CDN: $207 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS63. Mintag...
$281
1926-S 50C Oregon XF45 PCGS. PCGS Population: (11/4878). Mintage 83,055. ...
$109
1926-S 50C Oregon MS62 ANACS. Mintage 83,055. ...
$169
1926-S Oregon Trail Memorial. AU-58 (PCGS).
$120
1926-S Oregon Trail Memorial. Unc Details--Cleaned (PCGS).
$120
1926-S 50C Oregon MS68+ NGC. CAC....
$9,600
1926-S 50C Oregon Trail AU55 NGC. NGC Census: (18/3255). PCGS Population: (43/4674). CDN: $135 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU55...
$149
1926-S 50C Oregon XF40 NGC. NGC Census: (5/3283). PCGS Population: (7/4733). CDN: $110 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS XF40. Mintag...
$169
1926-S 50C Oregon -- Cleaned -- ANACS. MS60 Details. Mintage 83,055....
$180
1926-S 50C Oregon MS61 ANACS. NGC Census: (11/2646). PCGS Population (14/3497). Mintage: 83,055. Numismedia Wsl. Price for ...
$94
1926-S 50C Oregon AU53 ANACS. NGC Census: (3/2548). PCGS Population (2/3428). Mintage: 83,055. Numismedia Wsl. Price for pr...
$84
1926-S 50C Oregon VF35 PCGS. PCGS Population (3/3406). NGC Census: (0/2496). Mintage: 83,055. Numismedia Wsl. Price for pro...
$69
1926-S 50C Oregon VF30--Cleaned, Retoned--ANACS, XF Details....
$69
1926-S Oregon Trail Memorial. MS-66 (PCGS). CAC.
$464
1926-S 50C Oregon--Cleaned--ANACS. UNC Details NET AU50. NGC Census: (2/2520). PCGS Population (2/3399). Mintage: 83,055. N...
$94
Greysheet News
The Business of Numismatics: October 2026 Greysheet Editor's Letter
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
U.S. Coins and Jewelry acquires one of the rarest circulating coins in U.S. Mint history
The 1943 bronze Lincoln cent, graded Extra Fine by PCGS, was acquired from a family that held it unverified since the early 1960s.
10/1/2026
Events
Knoxville Coin and Currency Show - TN
Location: Rothchild Catering & Conference Center
Saturday, August 1, 2026
