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Walking Liberty Half Dollar 50c 1916-1947 MS [Type]

Greysheet & CPG® Values
Melt Value (Silver): 0.3617 oz +13.77%
$13.72
Walking Liberty Half Dollar 50c 1916-1947 MS [Type]
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Walking Liberty half dollars are widely considered one of the most beautiful silver coins the United States has ever struck. The Walking Liberty half dollar was designed by Adolph A. Weinman and was issued from 1916 through 1947 and became one of the most popular coins of all time.

Walking Liberty half dollars are mostly common coins that are made from a composition consisting of 90% silver and 10% copper. Therefore, low-grade Walking Liberty half dollars are commonly traded as junk silver coins among investors and collectors at spot or at very small premiums just above melt.

While most Walking Liberty half dollars are highly common and affordable, especially in the lower circulated grades, there are several scarce dates that command significant premiums. These include all 1916 Walking Liberty half dollars (from the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints), 1917-D and 1917-S obverse mintmark half dollars, 1919-D, all 1921 halves (Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco), and 1938-D Walking Liberty half dollar. Also scarce are all Walking Liberty half dollars minted before 1934 in grades of XF40 or better. All pre-1934 Walking half dollars grading in MS65 or higher are rare.

Obverse Description

Liberty portrayed standing on a rock, facing left, with flowing robes and her right hand outstretched with a star-covered drapery flowing behind her. I bright sun, with extended rays is rising from the horizon on the lower left. The word LIBERTY frames the periphery and date appears at the bottom center. and the motto IN GOD WE TRUST is in the right field.

Reverse Description

A large eagle perched on a rock, facing left with wings elevated in a defensive posture. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and HALF DOLLAR appear on the periphery. The motto E PLURIBUS UNUM sits atop a small olive branch left of the eagle.

Book Reference

Designer: Adolph A. Weinman. Weight: 12.5 grams. Composition: .900 silver, .100 copper (net weight .36169 oz. pure silver). Diameter: 30.6 mm. Edge: Reeded. Mints: Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco.

Key to Collecting: Today, examples for a type set are plentiful, particularly those in the late 1930’s, and especially, the 1940’s. Worn pieces abound, but you should opt for a Mint State coin as they are readily available and inexpensive.

Aspects of Striking and Appearance: Finding a certified gem Mint State coin of a particular date/mintmark might be easy, depending on the year, but finding a sharply struck coin can be a virtual impossibility. Check the high parts of Liberty’s skirt, the details of her cape, the fingers of her hand, and the details of her head. Very few examples will pass muster in this regard. The reverse is usually better struck. Luster varies from issue to issue. Most 1916 and many 1917 halves have wide, flat rims and matte-like luster, quite different from that seen on later dates.

Proof Coins: Proofs were made beginning in 1936 and continuing through 1942 and are usually fairly well struck. Most Proofs of 1941 are from over-polished dies with the AW monogram of the designer no longer present.

Catalog Information

GSID: 72414
Designer: Adolph A. Weinman
Obverse Designer: Adolph A. Weinman
Reverse Designer: Adolph A. Weinman
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: 1916-1947
Coin Date: Walking Liberty Half Dollar
Denomination: 50c
Designation: MS
Mint Mark: Various
Coinage Type: Walking Liberty half dollar
Coinage Years: 1916-1947
Composition: 90% silver; 10% copper
PCGS #: 6565
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Coin Value History
Walking Liberty Half Dollar 50c 1916-1947 MS [Type]
Value By Grade
Walking Liberty Half Dollar 50c 1916-1947 MS [Type]
CPG (retail) values
Value by grade is available to subscribers. Subscribe to View

Values

Greysheet & CPG® Values
Melt Value (Silver): 0.3617 oz +13.77%
$13.72
GSID:72414 PCGS:6565 Shop related

Values

Greysheet & CPG® Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values by grade for Walking Liberty Half Dollar 50c 1916-1947 MS [Type]
Grade CAC CPG Value (Retail) Greysheet Price (Wholesale)
MS68 CAC $7,000 $1,234
MS68 - $4,600 $1,234
MS67 CAC $1,234 $1,234
MS67 - $1,234 $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
F15 CAC $1,234 $1,234
F15 - $1,234 $1,234
F12 CAC $1,234 $1,234
F12 - $1,234 $1,234
VG10 CAC $1,234 $1,234
VG10 - $1,234 $1,234
VG8 CAC $1,234 $1,234
VG8 - $1,234 $1,234
G6 CAC $1,234 $1,234
G6 - $1,234 $1,234
G4 CAC $1,234 $1,234
G4 - $1,234 $1,234
AG3 CAC $1,234 $1,234
AG3 - $1,234 $1,234
AG2 CAC $1,234 $1,234
AG2 - $1,234 $1,234
P1 CAC $1,234 $1,234
P1 - $1,234 $1,234

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Auction Prices

Recent public sale records for this item
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1943 Walking Liberty Half Dollar. MS-67+ (PCGS). CAC.
1943 Walking Liberty Half Dollar. MS-67+ (PCGS). CAC.
$45
Sold 8/22/2026
Stacks Bowers Galleries
1920 Walking Liberty Half Dollar. XF-45 (PCGS).
1920 Walking Liberty Half Dollar. XF-45 (PCGS).
$5,150
Sold 8/13/2026
Stacks Bowers Galleries
1928-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar. XF-40 (PCGS).
1928-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar. XF-40 (PCGS).
$5,160
Sold 8/13/2026
Stacks Bowers Galleries
1940 50C MS66 NGC. CDN: $185 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS66. Mintage 9,167,279. ...
1940 50C MS66 NGC. CDN: $185 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS66. Mintage 9,167,279. ...
$214
Sold 2/17/2026
Heritage Auctions
1944 50C MS65 PCGS. CDN: $80 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS65. Mintage 28,206,000. ...
1944 50C MS65 PCGS. CDN: $80 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS65. Mintage 28,206,000. ...
$129
Sold 2/17/2026
Heritage Auctions
1947 50C MS64 PCGS. CDN: $71 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS64. Mintage 4,094,000. ...
1947 50C MS64 PCGS. CDN: $71 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS64. Mintage 4,094,000. ...
$119
Sold 2/17/2026
Heritage Auctions
1917-S 50C Reverse Mintmark AU53 PCGS. PCGS Population: 60 in 53, 1312 finer (12/25). CDN: $320 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU5...
1917-S 50C Reverse Mintmark AU53 PCGS. PCGS Population: 60 in 53, 1312 finer (12/25). CDN: $320 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU5...
$378
Sold 2/10/2026
Heritage Auctions
1917-D 50C Reverse Mintmark, AU55 PCGS. CDN: $725 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU55. Mintage 1,940,000. ...
1917-D 50C Reverse Mintmark, AU55 PCGS. CDN: $725 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU55. Mintage 1,940,000. ...
$1,342
Sold 2/3/2026
Heritage Auctions
1920 50C MS63 PCGS. CDN: $900 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS63. Mintage 6,372,000....
1920 50C MS63 PCGS. CDN: $900 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS63. Mintage 6,372,000....
$1,352
Sold 2/3/2026
Heritage Auctions
1917 50C MS62 ANACS. Mintage 12,292,000. ...
1917 50C MS62 ANACS. Mintage 12,292,000. ...
$268
Sold 2/3/2026
Heritage Auctions
1938-D 50C VF20 ANACS. Mintage 491,600. ...
1938-D 50C VF20 ANACS. Mintage 491,600. ...
$74
Sold 2/3/2026
Heritage Auctions
1916 50C AU58 PCGS. CDN: $575 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU58. Mintage 608,000....
1916 50C AU58 PCGS. CDN: $575 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU58. Mintage 608,000....
$671
Sold 1/27/2026
Heritage Auctions
1928-S 50C VF30 PCGS. PCGS Population: 76 in 30, 916 finer (12/25). CDN: $130 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF30. Mintage 1,940,0...
1928-S 50C VF30 PCGS. PCGS Population: 76 in 30, 916 finer (12/25). CDN: $130 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF30. Mintage 1,940,0...
$149
Sold 1/27/2026
Heritage Auctions
1918-D 50C VF35 PCGS. PCGS Population: 55 in 35, 1251 finer (12/25). CDN: $240 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF35. Mintage 3,853,...
1918-D 50C VF35 PCGS. PCGS Population: 55 in 35, 1251 finer (12/25). CDN: $240 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF35. Mintage 3,853,...
$257
Sold 1/20/2026
Heritage Auctions
1921-D 50C VF25 NGC. CAC. NGC Census: 42 in 25, 356 finer. CAC: 22 in 25, 129 finer (11/25). CDN: $1,440 Whsle. Bid for NGC...
1921-D 50C VF25 NGC. CAC. NGC Census: 42 in 25, 356 finer. CAC: 22 in 25, 129 finer (11/25). CDN: $1,440 Whsle. Bid for NGC...
$2,196
Sold 1/17/2026
Heritage Auctions
1940 50C MS68 PCGS. ...
1940 50C MS68 PCGS. ...
$5,124
Sold 1/15/2026
Heritage Auctions
1921-S 50C VG10 PCGS. CDN: $125 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VG10. Mintage 548,000....
1921-S 50C VG10 PCGS. CDN: $125 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VG10. Mintage 548,000....
$159
Sold 1/13/2026
Heritage Auctions
1921-S 50C Fine 12 ANACS. Mintage 548,000. ...
1921-S 50C Fine 12 ANACS. Mintage 548,000. ...
$293
Sold 1/6/2026
Heritage Auctions
1923-S 50C Fine 15 PCGS. PCGS Population: 86 in 15, 1045 finer (12/25). CDN: $100 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS Fine 15. Mintage ...
1923-S 50C Fine 15 PCGS. PCGS Population: 86 in 15, 1045 finer (12/25). CDN: $100 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS Fine 15. Mintage ...
$129
Sold 12/30/2025
Heritage Auctions
1921-S 50C VG8 PCGS. CDN: $95 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VG8 . Mintage 548,000....
1921-S 50C VG8 PCGS. CDN: $95 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VG8 . Mintage 548,000....
$109
Sold 12/30/2025
Heritage Auctions
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