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All Oregon Trail half dollars to come after the first year of issue in 1926 are much scarcer than those first production runs from the Philadelphia and San Francisco Mints. The problem was, not all of the 1926 Oregons were sold, and many ended up in the smelting pot. Meanwhile, the United States Mint had struck a total of 50,028 Oregon halves in 1928 but would not release them until the 1926-dated pieces were sold first.
The 1928 Oregon half dollars would not hit the market until 1933, when the earliest Oregon half dollars from 1926 were either all sold or melted. Enterprising numismatic publisher and author Wayte Raymond offered to pitch the 1928 Oregon half dollars to the buying public on the condition that all but 6,000 be melted, making the coin artificially scarce. US Mint officials agreed, dumping all but 6,028 of the 1928-dated Oregon halves in the fire. The 1928 issues were sold for $1 apiece.
The 1928 Oregon half dollar, designed by husband and wife coin designers James Earle Fraser and Laura Gardin Fraser, shows on its obverse a Native American before a map of the continental United States highlighting the path of the Oregon Trail, while the reverse shows a cattle-driven stagecoach heading toward a sunset. The coin commemorates the historic 2,000-mile path across the western United States as well as the many pioneers who died along the way.
The 1928 Oregon half dollar is moderately scarce today, with examples MS67 or higher proving quite rare. Most of the uncirculated 1928 half dollars exhibit decent strike and luster.
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:
10340
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:
1928
Denomination:
50c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
6,028
Coinage Type:
Classic Commemorative
Coinage Years:
1892-1954
Composition:
90% silver; 10% copper
PCGS #:
9342
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Coin Value History
1928 50c Oregon Trail MS
Value By Grade
1928 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 |
|
$15,000 | $1,234 |
| MS68 | - | $10,000 | $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 |
1928 50C Oregon, MS65 PCGS. CDN: $310 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS65. Mintage 6,028....
$439
1928 50C Oregon MS68 NGC. ...
$5,124
1928 50C Oregon MS67 PCGS. Mintage 6,028....
$720
1928 50C Oregon MS66 PCGS. CDN: $390 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS66. Mintage 6,028. ...
$432
1928 50C Oregon MS64 PCGS. Mintage 6,028. ...
$312
1928 50C Oregon MS62 ANACS. Mintage 6,028. ...
$164
1928 50C Oregon MS63 NGC. NGC Census: (34/1292). PCGS Population: (139/1907). CDN: $165 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS63. Minta...
$264
1928 50C Oregon MS61 ANACS. NGC Census: (0/1232). PCGS Population (1/1740). Mintage: 6,028. Numismedia Wsl. Price for probl...
$184
1928 50C Oregon--Cleaned--ICG. MS60 Details. NGC Census: (0/1135). PCGS Population (0/1637). Mintage: 6,028. Numismedia Wsl...
$161
1928 50C Oregon MS65 NGC. CAC. Housed in a Generation 4 fatty holder. CAC Population: (68/203). Mintage 6,028....
$420
1928 50C Oregon MS68+ NGC....
$6,300
1928 50C Oregon MS67 PCGS. Housed in a Generation 3.0 green label holder. CDN: $660 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS67. Mintage 6...
$750
1928 50C Oregon MS66 PCGS. Mintage 6,028. ...
$408
1928 50C Oregon MS64 PCGS. This Piece is housed in a PCGS green-lable holder. PCGS Population: (534/1413). NGC Census: (236...
$264
1928 50C Oregon MS62 PCGS. PCGS Population: (20/1914). NGC Census: (5/1280). Mintage 6,028. ...
$144
1928 50C Oregon MS63 ANACS. NGC Census: (34/1272). PCGS Population: (140/1845). CDN: $165 Whsle. Bid for problem-free NGC/P...
$150
1928 50C Oregon--Improperly Cleaned--NCS. UNC Details. NGC Census: (0/1130). PCGS Population (0/1632). Mintage: 6,028. Numi...
$172
1928 50C Oregon MS65 NGC. Mintage 6,028. ...
$336
50C 1928 OREGON PCGS MS68
$6,169
1928 50C Oregon MS67 PCGS. CAC. CAC Population: (56/2). Mintage 6,028. ...
$1,320
1893 25c Isabella MS
Worth: $190 – $52,000
1900 $1 Lafayette MS
Worth: $360 – $80,000
1921 50c Alabama MS
Worth: $90 – $20,250
1921 50c Alabama, 2x2 MS
Worth: $150 – $14,500
1936 50c Albany MS
Worth: $160 – $16,100
1937 50c Antietam MS
Worth: $405 – $35,000
Arkansas 50c MS [Type]
Worth: $72 – $20,000
1935-PDS Set Arkansas MS
Worth: $216 – $4,400
1935 50c Arkansas MS
Worth: $72 – $1,800
1935-D 50c Arkansas MS
Worth: $72 – $24,000
1935-S 50c Arkansas MS
Worth: $72 – $1,100
1936-PDS Set Arkansas MS
Worth: $216 – $4,520
1936 50c Arkansas MS
Worth: $72 – $1,620
1936-D 50c Arkansas MS
Worth: $72 – $20,000
1936-S 50c Arkansas MS
Worth: $72 – $1,800
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