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1953 50c Washington-Carver MS

Greysheet & CPG® Values
Melt Value (Silver): 0.3617 oz
$20.92
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The 1953 Washington-Carver commemorative half dollars honor the memories of two prominent African American leaders of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with Booker T. Washington -- pioneering author and presidential advisor and Carver -- renowned scientist and inventor. Both are pictured in -- jugate portrait by Isaac Scott Hathaway, the first African American to design -- U.S. coin with his Booker T. Washington type debuting in 1946.

While Washington-Carver halves are quite common in uncirculated condition, they are remarkably difficult in grades of MS66 or higher. This is due largely to the flat, broad reverse depicting -- map of the United States. Many examples are quite nice, with fantastic luster and excellent overall eye appeal.

Obverse Description

Features overlapping portraits of George W. Carver and Booker T. Washington with the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, IN GOD WE TRUST, and E PLURIBUS UNUM on the outer periphery. The inner periphery bears the names of those honored along with the words HALF DOLLAR. The date is presented to the left of the portraits at 9 o'clock.

Reverse Description

Depicts a map of the United States with the letters U.S.A. overprinted. The periphery bears the words FREEDOM AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL * AMERICANISM.

Catalog Information

GSID: 10398
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: Washington-Carver
Coin Date: 1953
Denomination: 50c
Designation: MS
Mint Location: Philadelphia
Mintage: 8,003
Coinage Type: Classic Commemorative
Coinage Years: 1951-1954
Composition: 90% silver; 10% copper
PCGS #: 9438
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Coin Value History
1953 50c Washington-Carver MS
Value By Grade
1953 50c Washington-Carver MS
CPG (retail) values
Value by grade is available to subscribers. Subscribe to View

Values

Greysheet & CPG® Values
Melt Value (Silver): 0.3617 oz
$20.92
GSID:10398 PCGS:9438 Shop related

Values

Greysheet & CPG® Values
Grade CAC CPG Value (Retail) Greysheet Price (Wholesale)
MS67 CAC $8,000 $1,234
MS67 - $4,250 $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

Auction Prices

Recent public sale records for this item
See all
1953 50C Washington-Carver MS67 NGC. NGC Census: 9 in 67 (1 in 67?), 0 finer (5/26). CDN: $3,400 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS M...
$2,928
Sold 7/18/2026
Heritage Auctions
1953 50C Washington-Carver MS64 PCGS. Housed in a Generation 1.2 "rattler" holder. CDN: $64.16 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS M...
$114
Sold 6/15/2026
Heritage Auctions
1953 Carver/Washington Commemorative. MS-66 (PCGS).
$149
Sold 4/22/2026
Stack’s Bowers Galleries
1953 50C Washington-Carver MS65 PCGS. CDN: $60 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS65. Mintage 8,003....
$109
Sold 2/2/2026
Heritage Auctions
1953 50C Washington-Carver Genuine PCGS. PCGS Population (0/0). NGC Census: (0/0). Mintage: 8,003. (#9438)...
$40
Sold 11/20/2012
Heritage Auctions
1953 50C Washington-Carver MS63 PCGS. PCGS Population (93/755). NGC Census: (24/402). Mintage: 8,003. Numismedia Wsl. Price...
$40
Sold 10/18/2009
Heritage Auctions
1953 50C Washington-Carver MS67 PCGS. ...
$3,904
Sold 1/15/2026
Heritage Auctions
1953 Carver/Washington Commemorative. MS-64 (NGC). CAC. OH Generation 4.0.
$72
Sold 12/18/2024
Stack’s Bowers Galleries
1953 50C Washington-Carver MS66 PCGS. CDN: $165 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS66. Mintage 8,003. ...
$151
Sold 4/22/2026
Heritage Auctions
1953 50C Washington-Carver MS65 PCGS. CDN: $60 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS65. Mintage 8,003. ...
$64
Sold 10/29/2025
Heritage Auctions
1953 50C Washington-Carver MS63 PCGS. PCGS Population (91/606). NGC Census: (20/293). Mintage: 8,003. Numismedia Wsl. Price...
$29
Sold 1/15/2006
Heritage Auctions
1953 50C Washington-Carver MS67 PCGS....
$2,448
Sold 10/2/2025
Heritage Auctions
1953 50C Washington-Carver MS64 PCGS. This piece is housed in a first-generation "rattler" holder. PCGS Population: (566/62...
$89
Sold 12/9/2024
Heritage Auctions
1953 50C Washington-Carver MS66 PCGS. Mintage 8,003....
$159
Sold 11/17/2025
Heritage Auctions
1953 Carver/Washington Commemorative. MS-65 (PCGS).
$85
Sold 10/8/2025
Stack’s Bowers Galleries
Wash-Carver 50c 1953 PCGS MS63
$21
Sold 6/27/2005
DLRC
1953 50C Washington-Carver MS67 PCGS....
$3,720
Sold 5/1/2025
Heritage Auctions
1953 50C Washington-Carver MS64 PCGS. CAC. This lot also includes a: 1954 50C Washington-Carver MS65 PCGS. ... (Total: 2 coins)
$67
Sold 3/28/2017
Heritage Auctions
1953 Carver/Washington Commemorative. MS-66 (PCGS).
$192
Sold 9/4/2025
Stack’s Bowers Galleries
1953 50C Washington-Carver MS65 PCGS. Mintage 8,003. ...
$99
Sold 8/18/2025
Heritage Auctions
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