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 last of the Oregon Trail half dollars came some 14 years after the first were made, marking the longest production period for a single type of United States commemorative coin during the traditional era (1892-1954). The 1939 Oregon Trail halves are also the scarcest, with tiny mintages of just about 3,000 each at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints. The 1939 Oregon halves were sold in sets of three for $7.50 per set.
Oregon half dollars were designed by husband and wife coin artists James Earle Fraser and Laura Gardin Fraser. The Oregon half dollar is considered one of the most beautiful United States commemorative designs, honoring the pioneers who charted the 2,000-mile path across the western United States during the early 19th century. The obverse features a majestic portrait of a Native American standing before an outline of the United States, which shows a little line of covered wagons cutting across the map where the Oregon Trail was blazed. On the reverse of the coin is a serene scene of a cattle-drive stagecoach approaching the setting sun.
Most of the available 1939 Oregon half dollars are known in Gem condition, ranging from about MS64-66. MS67s are scarce and pieces grading MS68 or higher are extremely rare. Luster on the 1939 Oregon half dollars is generally satiny.
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:
10351
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:
1939-S
Denomination:
50c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
San Francisco
Mint Mark:
S
Mintage:
3,005
Coinage Type:
Classic Commemorative
Coinage Years:
1892-1954
Composition:
90% silver; 10% copper
PCGS #:
9354
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Subject: I would like to contribute catalog info to CDN for 1939-S 50c Oregon Trail MS
Body: Referring page: http://www.greysheet.com/prices/item/1939-s-oregon-50c-silver-united-states-commemorative-coin/gsid/10351 GSID: 10351 Title: 1939-S 50c Oregon Trail MS
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Coin Value History
1939-S 50c Oregon Trail MS
Value By Grade
1939-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 |
|
$6,500 | $1,234 |
| MS68 | - | $5,000 | $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 |
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
1939-S 50C Oregon MS63 PCGS. Housed in a Generation 3.1 green label holder. PCGS Population: 98 in 63, 1262 finer (7/26). ...
$537
1939-S 50C Oregon MS65 NGC. CDN: $450 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS65. Mintage 3,005. ...
$500
1939-S 50C Oregon MS64 PCGS. CDN: $425 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS64. Mintage 3,005. ...
$500
1939-S 50C Oregon MS66 PCGS. CDN: $525 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS66. Mintage 3,005. ...
$854
1939-S 50C Oregon MS68 NGC. NGC Census: 29 in 68 (1 in 68+, 3 in 68?), 0 finer (3/26). CDN: $4,000 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS...
$2,318
1939-S 50C Oregon MS67 PCGS. CAC. CAC: 87 in 67, 8 finer (2/26). CDN: $710 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS67. Mintage 3,005. ...
$1,342
1939-S Oregon Trail Memorial. Unc Details--Cleaned (PCGS).
$360
1939-S 50C Oregon Trail -- Cleaned -- ANACS. MS60 Details. NGC Census: (1/752). PCGS Population (0/1088). Mintage: 3,005. N...
$299
1939-S 50C Oregon MS62 ANACS. NGC Census: (1/747). PCGS Population (15/1060). Mintage: 3,005. Numismedia Wsl. Price for pro...
$374
1939-S 50C Oregon MS61 ANACS. ...
$299
1939-S 50C Oregon MS63 PCGS. PCGS Population: (99/1186). NGC Census: (21/786). CDN: $390 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS63. Mint...
$408
1939-S Oregon Trail Memorial. MS-65 (PCGS). CAC.
$732
1939-S 50C Oregon MS64 PCGS. Housed in a Generation 1.2 "rattler" holder. CDN: $425 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS64. Mintag...
$641
1939-S Oregon Trail Memorial. MS-66 (NGC).
$512
1939-S 50C Oregon MS68 NGC. NGC Census: 29 in 68 (1 in 68+, 3 in 68*), 0 finer (12/25). CDN: $4,000 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS...
$2,440
1939-S 50C Oregon MS67+ PCGS. CAC. CAC: 87 in 67, 8 finer (11/25). CDN: $710 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS67. Mintage 3,005. ...
$2,684
1939-S Oregon Trail Memorial. Unc Details--Cleaned (PCGS).
$408
1939-S 50C Oregon--Cleaned--ICG. MS60 Details. NGC Census: (1/717). PCGS Population (0/1034). Mintage: 3,005. Numismedia Ws...
$253
1939-S 50C Oregon MS62 ANACS. NGC Census: (1/730). PCGS Population (15/1040). Mintage: 3,005. Numismedia Wsl. Price for pro...
$431
1939-S 50C Oregon MS63 PCGS. PCGS Population: (98/1168). NGC Census: (21/772). CDN: $390 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS63. Mint...
$420
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
