PCGS Nos: 6243, 6387

Mintage:
Circulation strikes: 3,844,000
Proofs: est. 10

Designer: Obverse by Thomas Sully, executed by Christian Gobrecht; reverse by Christian Gobrecht

Diameter: ±30 millimeters

Metal content:
Silver - 90%
Copper - 10%

Weight: ±206 grains (±13.4 grams)

Edge: Reeded

Mintmark: None (for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) below the eagle on the reverse

Images courtesy of 

Significant examples:
NGC Proof-64.  Ex - Numismatic Gallery, June 13, 1947, sold for $70.00 - John Jay Pittman - David Akers "Pittman, Part II", May 1998, Lot 1527 - Bowers & Merena Galleries "The Rarities Sale", July 31, 2002, Lot 305, illustrated, sold for $27,600.00

"Choice Proof".  Ex - Judge Joseph F. Sawicki, May 10, 1948, sold as part of a complete copper and silver Proof set (in an original case) for $225.00 - John Jay Pittman - David Akers Numismatics, Inc. "The John Jay Pittman Collection", October 21-23, 1997, Lot 832f, illustrated, "...two edge nicks, including one on the obverse rim above the 11th star and another above the D in UNITED...There is a die break that literally bisects the reverse and runs from the rim between E and S of STATES, through the eagle's head, down through the body of the eagle to the top left serif of the F in HALF...This crack is characteristic of Proof 1843 Half Dollars...", sold as part of the complete 1843 Proof set (still in the original case) to which Pittman had added the Proof 1843 Quarter Eagle, Half Eagle, and Eagle!  This set may be complete set that appeared in the 1895 Winsor sale as Lot 1067, said to have been presented to President Tyler.

Recent appearances:
1848 half dollar from the wreck of the S.S. Central America, about VG in terms of wear.  Ex – American Numismatic Rarities, LLC’s “The Classics Sale,” July 25, 2003 , Lot 915, illustrated, sold for $1,035.00  

Notes:
No circulation strikes appear to have been made from the die combination used to strike Proofs.  All Proof examples show a vertical crack bisecting the reverse, beginning at the top of the reverse between the E and S of STATES.

The finest Uncirculated example graded by PCGS is a single MS-65.

The finest Proof example graded by PCGS is a single PR-63.

Sources and/or recommended reading:
"The PCGS Population Report, April 2003" by The Professional Coin Grading Service