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1948-S 50c Booker T. Washington MS

Greysheet & CPG® Values
Melt Value (Silver): 0.3617 oz +0.96%
$18.88
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1948-S 50c Booker T. Washington MS
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The 1948 Booker T. Washington half dollar honors the famous author, social rights advocate, and presidential advisor. The 1948 BTW halves mark the third year of issue for this type designed by Isaac Scott Hathaway, the first African American to design -- U.S. coin. The half dollar, bearing the profound inscription FROM SLAVE CABIN TO HALL OF FAME, was struck at all three then-operating mints, including those in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco.

BTW half dollars are extremely common, and the vast majority are known in the grade range of MS62 to MS66. However, examples grading MS67 or higher are quite scarce due to overall flatness of the design and the tendency for the coin to receive visible bumps and bruises on the broad surfaces.

Obverse Description

The obverse bears the portrait of the honored figure framed by the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and BOOKER T. WASHINGTON. To the left of the portrait is the date and words HALF DOLLAR. To the right of the portrait is the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM.

Reverse Description

The reverse bears BTW's memorial building centered at the top. Many words appear on the reverse including: BOOKER T. WASHINGTON BIRTHPLACE MEMORIAL * LIBERTY, around the periphery. FROM SLAVE CABIN TO HALL OF FAME appears below the memorial. IN GOD WE TRUST * FRANKLIN COUNTY, VA appear directly below flanking the likeness of the slave cabin.

Catalog Information

GSID: 10275
Designer: Isaac Scott Hathaway
Obverse Designer: Isaac Scott Hathaway
Reverse Designer: Isaac Scott Hathaway
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: Booker T. Washington
Coin Date: 1948-S
Denomination: 50c
Designation: MS
Mint Location: San Francisco
Mint Mark: S
Mintage: 8,005
Coinage Type: Classic Commemorative
Coinage Years: 1946-1951
Composition: 90% silver; 10% copper
PCGS #: 9414
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Coin Value History
1948-S 50c Booker T. Washington MS
Value By Grade
1948-S 50c Booker T. Washington MS
CPG (retail) values
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Values

Greysheet & CPG® Values
Melt Value (Silver): 0.3617 oz +0.96%
$18.88
GSID:10275 PCGS:9414 Shop related

Values

Greysheet & CPG® Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values by grade for 1948-S 50c Booker T. Washington MS
Grade CAC CPG Value (Retail) Greysheet Price (Wholesale)
MS68 CAC $18,000 $1,234
MS68 - $12,000 $1,234
MS67 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS67 - $1,234 $1,234
MS66 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS66 - $1,234 $1,234
MS65 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS65 - $1,234 $1,234
MS64 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS64 - $1,234 $1,234
MS63 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS63 - $1,234 $1,234
MS62 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS62 - $1,234 $1,234
MS61 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS61 - $1,234 $1,234
MS60 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS60 - $1,234 $1,234
AU58 CAC $1,234 $1,234
AU58 - $1,234 $1,234
AU55 CAC $1,234 $1,234
AU55 - $1,234 $1,234
AU53 CAC $1,234 $1,234
AU53 - $1,234 $1,234
AU50 CAC $1,234 $1,234
AU50 - $1,234 $1,234
XF45 CAC $1,234 $1,234
XF45 - $1,234 $1,234
XF40 CAC $1,234 $1,234
XF40 - $1,234 $1,234
VF35 CAC $1,234 $1,234
VF35 - $1,234 $1,234
VF30 CAC $1,234 $1,234
VF30 - $1,234 $1,234
VF25 CAC $1,234 $1,234
VF25 - $1,234 $1,234
VF20 CAC $1,234 $1,234
VF20 - $1,234 $1,234

Related Items

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Auction Prices

Recent public sale records for this item
See all
1948-S Booker T. Washington Memorial. MS-67+ (NGC).
1948-S Booker T. Washington Memorial. MS-67+ (NGC).
$512
Sold 11/5/2026
Stack’s Bowers Galleries
1948-S 50C Booker T. Washington MS66 PCGS. CDN: $63.62 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS66. Mintage 8,005. ...
1948-S 50C Booker T. Washington MS66 PCGS. CDN: $63.62 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS66. Mintage 8,005. ...
$183
Sold 8/24/2026
Heritage Auctions
1948-S 50C Booker T. Washington MS65 PCGS. Housed in a Generation 1.2 "rattler" holder. CDN: $60.16 Whsle. Bid for NGC/P...
1948-S 50C Booker T. Washington MS65 PCGS. Housed in a Generation 1.2 "rattler" holder. CDN: $60.16 Whsle. Bid for NGC/P...
$104
Sold 6/15/2026
Heritage Auctions
1948-S 50C Booker T. Washington MS64 PCGS. PCGS Population: (275/1166). NGC Census: (95/794). CDN: $55 Whsle. Bid for probl...
1948-S 50C Booker T. Washington MS64 PCGS. PCGS Population: (275/1166). NGC Census: (95/794). CDN: $55 Whsle. Bid for probl...
$51
Sold 10/3/2017
Heritage Auctions
1948-S 50C Booker T. Washington PCGS Genuine. This PCGS number ending in 92 suggests Cleaning as the reason, or perhaps one...
1948-S 50C Booker T. Washington PCGS Genuine. This PCGS number ending in 92 suggests Cleaning as the reason, or perhaps one...
$26
Sold 3/6/2012
Heritage Auctions
1948-S 50C Booker T. Washington MS63 PCGS. PCGS Population (18/1083). NGC Census: (10/754). Mintage: 8,005. Numismedia Wsl....
1948-S 50C Booker T. Washington MS63 PCGS. PCGS Population (18/1083). NGC Census: (10/754). Mintage: 8,005. Numismedia Wsl....
$28
Sold 8/30/2009
Heritage Auctions
1948-S 50C Booker T. Washington MS67+ NGC. CAC. CAC: 72 in 67, 0 finer (6/26). CDN: $575 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS67. Mi...
1948-S 50C Booker T. Washington MS67+ NGC. CAC. CAC: 72 in 67, 0 finer (6/26). CDN: $575 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS67. Mi... CAC approved
$976
Sold 8/24/2026
Heritage Auctions
1948-S 50C Booker T. Washington MS66 PCGS. CDN: $58.23 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS66. Mintage 8,005. ...
1948-S 50C Booker T. Washington MS66 PCGS. CDN: $58.23 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS66. Mintage 8,005. ...
$104
Sold 8/24/2026
Heritage Auctions
1948-S 50C Booker T. Washington MS65 PCGS. Housed in a Generation 1.2 "rattler" holder. CDN: $60.05 Whsle. Bid for NGC/P...
1948-S 50C Booker T. Washington MS65 PCGS. Housed in a Generation 1.2 "rattler" holder. CDN: $60.05 Whsle. Bid for NGC/P...
$268
Sold 5/18/2026
Heritage Auctions
1948-S 50C Booker T. Washington MS64 PCGS. PCGS Population: (274/1117). NGC Census: (93/794). CDN: $55 Whsle. Bid for probl...
1948-S 50C Booker T. Washington MS64 PCGS. PCGS Population: (274/1117). NGC Census: (93/794). CDN: $55 Whsle. Bid for probl...
$47
Sold 10/25/2016
Heritage Auctions
1948-S 50C Booker T. Washington MS67 NGC. CDN: $500 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS67. Mintage 8,005. ...
1948-S 50C Booker T. Washington MS67 NGC. CDN: $500 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS67. Mintage 8,005. ...
$403
Sold 5/18/2026
Heritage Auctions
1948-S 50C Booker T. Washington MS66 NGC. CDN: $63.62 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS66. Mintage 8,005. ...
1948-S 50C Booker T. Washington MS66 NGC. CDN: $63.62 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS66. Mintage 8,005. ...
$139
Sold 8/24/2026
Heritage Auctions
1948-S 50C Booker T. Washington MS65 PCGS. CDN: $59.45 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS65. Mintage 8,005. ...
1948-S 50C Booker T. Washington MS65 PCGS. CDN: $59.45 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS65. Mintage 8,005. ...
$99
Sold 5/6/2026
Heritage Auctions
1948-S 50C Booker T. Washington MS64 PCGS. PCGS Population (274/1109). NGC Census: (93/792). Mintage: 8,005. CDN Wsl. Price...
1948-S 50C Booker T. Washington MS64 PCGS. PCGS Population (274/1109). NGC Census: (93/792). Mintage: 8,005. CDN Wsl. Price...
$63
Sold 8/23/2016
Heritage Auctions
1948-S 50C Booker T. Washington MS67 PCGS. PCGS Population: 90 in 67 (9 in 67+), 0 finer (3/26). CDN: $500 Whsle. Bid for ...
1948-S 50C Booker T. Washington MS67 PCGS. PCGS Population: 90 in 67 (9 in 67+), 0 finer (3/26). CDN: $500 Whsle. Bid for ...
$451
Sold 5/18/2026
Heritage Auctions
1948-S Booker T. Washington Memorial. MS-66+ (NGC).
1948-S Booker T. Washington Memorial. MS-66+ (NGC).
$139
Sold 7/1/2026
Stack’s Bowers Galleries
1948-S Booker T. Washington Memorial. MS-65+ (PCGS).
$48
Sold 8/28/2024
Stack’s Bowers Galleries
1948 50C Booker T. Washington PDS Set MS64 PCGS. PCGS Population (278/1103). NGC Census: (95/790). Mintage: 8,005. Numismed... (Total: 3 item)
1948 50C Booker T. Washington PDS Set MS64 PCGS. PCGS Population (278/1103). NGC Census: (95/790). Mintage: 8,005. Numismed... (Total: 3 item)
$112
Sold 2/23/2016
Heritage Auctions
1948-S 50C Booker T. Washington MS67+ NGC. CDN: $500 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS67. Mintage 8,005. ...
1948-S 50C Booker T. Washington MS67+ NGC. CDN: $500 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS67. Mintage 8,005. ...
$561
Sold 5/18/2026
Heritage Auctions
1948-S 50C Booker T. Washington MS66 PCGS. CDN: $67.54 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS66. Mintage 8,005. ...
1948-S 50C Booker T. Washington MS66 PCGS. CDN: $67.54 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS66. Mintage 8,005. ...
$109
Sold 5/27/2026
Heritage Auctions
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