Walking Liberty Half Dollar Coins
Held high in the coin world, the Walking Liberty Half Dollar coin earned its prestigious status with its exquisite design and its life span, as it was minted throughout great historical events! Specifically, the Walking Liberty Half Dollar was minted from 1916 until 1947. The Walking Liberty’s design was graced with the elegant Lady Liberty proudly strutting over the rising sun, accompanied by our great American flag and holding an olive branch. Its reverse bears the power of a bald eagle taking flight. The designer of this illustrious piece was Adolph A. Weinman. Although Weinman had competitor designers, his design was ultimately chosen and we can see why! To no surprise, this coin is still popular amongst collectors. Continue reading to learn more about walking liberty half dollar coins.
Walking Liberty Half Dollar Value
Examples of the Walking Liberty Half Dollar coin can range from $20 to upwards of $100,000 or more for some high end specimens. Typically, the more expensive specimens are in mint state condition and are typically MS65 or higher. The key dates in the Walking Liberty Half Dollar series, and most expensive are towards the beginning of the series, whereas the coins produced towards the end of the series can often be found in higher grades and affordable prices. The most notable key dates in the Walking Liberty Half Dollar series are the following:
- 1916-S
- 1917-S Obv. mint mark
- 1919-D
- 1921
- 1921-D
- 1921-S
The Walking Liberty Half Dollar was minted at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Fransisco mints. The Philadelphia minted coins carrying no identifying mint mark on the coin, while the San Fransisco and Denver ones do. Collectors love Walking Liberty Half Dollars because of their beauty and because each coin is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. Moreover, Walking Liberty Half Dollars typically have some of the lowest mintages out of any Half Dollar made during the 1900's.
Walking Liberty Half Dollar Coin Mintages and Values
| Date | Mintage | Good | Very fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated | |
| 1916 Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 608,000 | $50.00 | $160.00 | $250.00 | $450.00 | |
| 1916-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 1,014,400 | $50.00 | $135.00 | $215.00 | $450.00 | |
| 1916-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 508,000 | $100.00 | $450.00 | $650.00 | $1,600.00 | |
| 1917 Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 12,292,000 | $18.00 | $21.00 | $40.00 | $150.00 | |
| 1917-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 1,940,000 | $18.00 | $145.00 | $280.00 | $1,200.00 | |
| 1917-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 5,554,000 | $18.00 | $35.00 | $70.00 | $700.00 | |
| 1918 Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 6,634,000 | $18.00 | $65.00 | $155.00 | $625.00 | |
| 1918-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 3,853,040 | $18.00 | $100.00 | $250.00 | $1,500.00 | |
| 1918-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 10,282,000 | $18.00 | $35.00 | $80.00 | $600.00 | |
| 1919 Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 962,000 | $25.00 | $265.00 | $515.00 | $2,350.00 | |
| 1919-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 1,165,000 | $56.00 | $345.00 | $825.00 | $4,750.00 | |
| 1919-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 1,552,000 | $50.00 | $275.00 | $815.00 | $4,000.00 | |
| 1920 Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 6,372,000 | $18.00 | $45.00 | $80.00 | $425.00 | |
| 1920-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 1,551,000 | $18.00 | $250.00 | $450.00 | $3,000.00 | |
| 1920-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 4,624,000 | $18.00 | $90.00 | $230.00 | $1,200.00 | |
| 1921 Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 246,000 | $135.00 | $775.00 | $2,000.00 | $6,000.00 | |
| 1921-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 208,000 | $200.00 | $850.00 | $2,850.00 | $9,250.00 | |
| 1921-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 548,000 | $48.00 | $800.00 | $4,500.00 | $20,000.00 | |
| 1923-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 2,178,000 | $13.00 | $110.00 | $365.00 | $2,750.00 | |
| 1927-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 2,392,000 | $13.00 | $50.00 | $160.00 | $1,200.00 | |
| 1928-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 1,940,000 | $13.00 | $75.00 | $180.00 | $1,250.00 | |
| 1929-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 1,001,200 | $12.00 | $30.00 | $100.00 | $450.00 | |
| 1929-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 1,902,000 | $12.00 | $35.00 | $115.00 | $500.00 | |
| 1933-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 1,786,000 | $12.00 | $20.00 | $60.00 | $750.00 | |
| 1934 Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 6,964,000 | $9.00 | $16.00 | $19.00 | $75.00 | |
| 1934-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 2,361,000 | $9.00 | $16.00 | $35.00 | $140.00 | |
| 1934-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 3,652,000 | $9.00 | $16.00 | $30.00 | $365.00 | |
| 1935 Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 9,162,000 | $9.00 | $16.00 | $19.00 | $40.00 | |
| 1935-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 3,003,800 | $9.00 | $16.00 | $30.00 | $140.00 | |
| 1935-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 3,854,000 | $9.00 | $16.00 | $26.00 | $275.00 | |
| 1936 Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 12,614,000 | $9.00 | $16.00 | $18.00 | $45.00 | |
| 1936-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 4,252,400 | $9.00 | $16.00 | $20.00 | $85.00 | |
| 1936-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 3,884,000 | $9.00 | $16.00 | $22.00 | $130.00 | |
| 1937 Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 9,522,000 | $9.00 | $16.00 | $18.00 | $40.00 | |
| 1937-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 1,676,000 | $9.00 | $16.00 | $32.00 | $215.00 | |
| 1937-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 2,090,000 | $9.00 | $16.00 | $25.00 | $165.00 | |
| 1938 Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 4,110,000 | $9.00 | $18.00 | $20.00 | $70.00 | |
| 1938-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 491,600 | $55.00 | $100.00 | $160.00 | $475.00 | |
| 1939 Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 6,812,000 | $9.00 | $16.00 | $18.00 | $40.00 | |
| 1939-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 4,267,800 | $9.00 | $16.00 | $18.00 | $43.00 | |
| 1939-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 2,552,000 | $9.00 | $16.00 | $26.00 | $150.00 | |
| 1940 Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 9,156,000 | $9.00 | $16.00 | $18.00 | $35.00 | |
| 1940-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 4,550,000 | $9.00 | $16.00 | $18.00 | $45.00 | |
| 1941 Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 24,192,000 | $9.00 | $16.00 | $18.00 | $35.00 | |
| 1941-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 11,248,400 | $9.00 | $16.00 | $18.00 | $38.00 | |
| 1941-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 8,098,000 | $9.00 | $16.00 | $18.00 | $75.00 | |
| 1942 Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 47,818,000 | $9.00 | $16.00 | $18.00 | $40.00 | |
| 1942-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 10,973,800 | $9.00 | $16.00 | $18.00 | $40.00 | |
| 1942-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 12,708,000 | $9.00 | $16.00 | $18.00 | $40.00 | |
| 1943 Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 53,190,000 | $9.00 | $16.00 | $18.00 | $35.00 | |
| 1943-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 11,346,000 | $9.00 | $16.00 | $18.00 | $48.00 | |
| 1943-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 13,450,000 | $9.00 | $16.00 | $18.00 | $42.00 | |
| 1944 Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 28,206,000 | $9.00 | $16.00 | $18.00 | $35.00 | |
| 1944-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 9,769,000 | $9.00 | $16.00 | $18.00 | $40.00 | |
| 1944-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 8,904,000 | $9.00 | $16.00 | $18.00 | $40.00 | |
| 1945 Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 31,502,000 | $9.00 | $16.00 | $18.00 | $35.00 | |
| 1945-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 9,966,800 | $9.00 | $17.50 | $18.00 | $35.00 | |
| 1945-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 10,156,000 | $9.00 | $17.50 | $18.00 | $38.00 | |
| 1946 Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 12,118,000 | $9.00 | $17.50 | $18.00 | $37.00 | |
| 1946-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 2,151,000 | $9.00 | $17.50 | $22.00 | $60.00 | |
| 1946-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 3,724,000 | $9.00 | $17.50 | $18.00 | $58.00 | |
| 1947 Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 4,094,000 | $9.00 | $17.50 | $18.00 | $60.00 | |
| 1947-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar | 3,900,600 | $9.00 | $17.50 | $18.00 | $60.00 | |
*Source Red Book
FAQ
What are half dollar coins?
Half dollar coins are U.S. coins valued at fifty cents, or half a dollar. They have been produced in various designs since 1794, serving both as currency and collectibles. These coins have featured various depictions of Liberty, Benjamin Franklin, and John F. Kennedy over their mintage history.
What is the history of half dollar coins?
The history of half dollar coins dates back to 1794 when the first half dollars were minted featuring the Flowing Hair design. Over the years, the design has changed several times, with notable versions including the Bust, Seated Liberty, Barber, Walking Liberty, Franklin, and Kennedy half dollars.
Which half dollar coins are the most valuable?
The most valuable half dollar coins typically include early editions, rare mintages, and those with errors. Notably, the 1794 Flowing Hair Half Dollar, 1838-O Capped Bust Half Dollar, and certain key date Walking Liberty Half Dollars are among the most sought after by collectors.
How can I determine the value of half dollar coins?
The value of half dollar coins is determined by factors such as rarity, condition (grade), mint year, and any unique features or errors. Consulting a reputable price guide or having the coin appraised by a professional numismatist can provide an accurate valuation.
Are Kennedy half dollar coins still being made?
Yes, Kennedy half dollar coins are still being made by the U.S. Mint, primarily for collectors. While they are not commonly used in everyday transactions, they are available in uncirculated, proof, and special mint sets.
Where can I buy half dollar coins?
Half dollar coins can be purchased from coin dealers, numismatic shows, online auctions, and directly from the U.S. Mint for recent issues. Ensure the seller is reputable, especially when purchasing rare or valuable coins.
What is the composition of modern half dollar coins?
Modern half dollar coins, specifically the Kennedy half dollars minted after 1971, are composed of a copper-nickel clad. The composition is 75% copper and 25% nickel over a pure copper center.
How should I store my half dollar coin collection?
Store your half dollar coin collection in a cool, dry place, ideally in acid-free holders, albums, or sleeves designed for coin storage. This protects the coins from environmental damage and preserves their condition.
Can half dollar coins still be used as currency?
Yes, half dollar coins are still legal tender and can be used as currency. However, they are not commonly found in circulation due to their collectibility and the public's preference for other denominations.
What are some tips for collecting half dollar coins?
Tips for collecting half dollar coins include focusing on a specific series or design, learning about the history and rarity of different issues, and prioritizing the condition of the coins. Building relationships with reputable dealers and joining numismatic clubs can also enhance your collecting experience.