One of the most beautiful US coins ever minted, the Walking Liberty half dollar is famous for its loveliness and value. Minted between 1915 and 1947, this was the 50-cent piece that saw America through both World Wars and the Great Depression. It's an icon of American coinage, and if you have one in your collection, it could also be very valuable.
The intricacy of the design of this coin, which features Lady Liberty in flowing robes gliding toward a rising sun, made it especially difficult to mint. Perfect specimens are rare.
Most Valuable Walking Liberty Half Dollars
Every half dollar is worth at least the face value, but many Walking Liberty examples are worth much more. All these coins contain 90% silver, so they have a melt value that's already higher than 50 cents. Expect most of these coins in good condition to be worth at least $10. However, there are a few very high-value examples that you might want to keep an eye out for.
1919-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar
Considered by collectors to be the rarest Walking Liberty half dollar to find in Gem condition, the 1919 issue from the Denver Mint is very valuable. There were only 1.1 million of these coins struck in Denver, and among these, few have the detail to qualify as Gem. Even fewer have survived since many of these coins were worn by circulation in the years just after World War I. When one of these Gem condition 1919-D half dollars came up for auction in 2004, it sold for $270,250.
1921-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar
Although the 1919-D is rarest in Gem condition, the 1919-S actually had fewer coins issued. Only 548,000 of these were struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1921, and many of these were circulated. Fifty cents was an hourly wage for many people during this era, and very few people could afford to save half dollars in coin collections as the economy started to struggle. A mint state example sold for $188,000 in 2016.
1921-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar
Another Walking Liberty half dollar that's very rare in mint state is the 1921-D. The issue from the Denver Mint also saw heavy circulation, so finding them in perfect condition is uncommon. Add to that a high-quality strike, and the value becomes quite high. One 1921-D sold for $168,000 in 2018.
1917-S Obverse Mintmark Walking Liberty Half Dollar
In the first couple of years of the Walking Liberty silver half dollar's minting, the mintmark was on the obverse (or heads) of the coin. Eventually, the mint became concerned that the mintmark looked like an error or defect in the die for the coin, so they moved the mintmark to the reverse in 1917. A few 1917 coins were minted with the mark on the obverse, and these are rare. They're even rarer in good condition. One sold in 2015 for $152,750.
1944 Walking Liberty Half Dollar
Although the 1944 Walking Liberty 50-cent piece isn't at all rare (there were more than 28 million of them minted), it's almost impossible to find them with good, strong details and minimal circulation wear. Even in mint condition, this coin sometimes isn't as sharply detailed as it should be to show off the folds of Lady Liberty's gown. One in a high grade sold for $109,250 in 2010.
In general, the 1941, 1942, 1943, and 1944 aren't among the most valuable because there were a lot of business strike coins minted during the wartime years. However, mint state coins that didn't circulate, as well as proof coins from the wartime years, can actually be valuable. There's also a mint error with a repunched mintmark (D over S) and a 1942/1943 overstrike.
What to Look for in a Walking Liberty Half Dollar
Generally, any Walking Liberty silver half dollar is worth at least a few bucks, but there are some things to look for when it comes to the high-value coins. Here are a few tips to help as you add to your collection (or decide to see the most valuable coins).
- Early years - While mid-range years of the coin, such as the 1937 Walking Liberty half dollar, are always valauble, the earliest years tend to be worth the most.
- Errors - Minting errors like a double mintmark or overdate can be worth more because they tend to be rare.
- Quality strike - Because this coin was especially hard to strike well, it's actually very rare to find one with the best details and in good condition.
- Condition - Uncirculated Walking Liberty 50-cent pieces are worth more than those that have changed hands a lot and have lots of wear.
One of the Most Collectible American Coins
Because it spans a time period that includes the First World War, the Great Depression, and the Second World War, the Walking Liberty half dollar is an icon of American currency. Add to that its inherent value for its silver content and the beautiful (and difficult to mint) design, and it's no surprise that this is one of the most collectible coins.
