US Walking Liberty Half Dollar 1916 to 1947

There is a fairly distinct break in the catalog values of US Walking Liberty half dollars at the year 1933. Most dates are 'common dates,' that is, dates of low or minimal value. We discuss the common dates first, then move on to the better dates.

The example in our picture is fully uncirculated. Coins with even a small bit of circulation wear do not reach fully uncirculated values.

COMMON DATES BEFORE 1934:
worn: $15 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $20
well preserved: $70
fully uncirculated: $300
walkers dated 1917 with no mint mark are more common, divide these values by two

COMMON DATES AFTER 1933:
worn: $10 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $15
well preserved: $20
fully uncirculated: $45
coins dated 1938D: $160 in average circulated condition

The prices above are for problem-free coins with decent eye appeal. Stains, spots, scratches, and cleanings are considered damage and lower a coin's value to basic bullion level. Remember to convert the inflated catalog values quoted above to actual buy and sell values by reading our Terminology page.

All Walking Libery halves contain 0.3617 troy ounces of silver. If silver is selling, say, at $15 per troy ounce, their bullion value (BV) is 0.3617 x $15 = $5.42 each. To find the current BV, go to a web site like kitco.com, find the price of silver, and multiply by 0.3617. This gives the absolute minimum value of the coin. All coins, even coins with severe problems, are worth BV.

The better dates for walkers are shown below. The US dollar figure after the date and mint mark is an approximate catalog value for coins in average circulated condition. Coins with heavy wear are worth much less. Coins in fully uncirculated condition are worth much, much more.

1916: $150
1916D: $120
1916S: $400
1917D: $150
1917S: $350, but only if the S is on the 'heads' side, click here
1917S: $30, when S is in the normal place on the 'tails' side
1918: $60
1918D: $80
1919: $250
1919D: $330
1919S: $260
1920D: $200
1920S: $80
1921: $800
1921D: $820
1921S: $800
1923S: $100
1927S: $45
1928S: $60

If your coin is not in the list immediately above, it is a common date coin. Refer to the common date values at the start of this page.
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