Walking Liberty Half Dollars: Collector’s Guide to Key Dates, Errors & Pricing (1916–1947)
Discover the history, artistry, rare varieties, and growing collector excitement behind Walking Liberty Half Dollars — one of the most beautiful silver coins in American numismatics.
📘 Download the full guide: Numismatics Handbook — A +135-page expert resource on U.S. coin collecting.
Why Walking Liberty Half Dollars Matter
Minted from 1916 to 1947, the Walking Liberty Half Dollar embodies the spirit of America between two world wars.
Created by renowned sculptor Adolph A. Weinman, the design features:
- Obverse: Lady Liberty walking boldly toward the rising sun, carrying oak and laurel branches — a symbol of peace and strength.
- Reverse: A proud American eagle perched on a rocky crag, wings partially unfolded.
Collectors love Walking Liberty Half Dollars for:
🪙 Stunning High-Relief Design — Considered the most beautiful U.S. silver coin by many.
🥈 90% Silver Content — 0.3617 troy ounces per coin.
🔑 Key Dates and Semi-Keys — 1916-S, 1921, 1938-D, and others.
🧩 Striking Challenges — Full strike examples, especially on Liberty’s hand, command premiums.
🔥 Affordable Collecting — Common dates are accessible; rare dates offer strong upside.
Whether you’re completing a full set, stacking silver, or hunting rare varieties, Walking Liberty Half Dollars are essential to serious U.S. numismatics.
Walking Liberty Half Dollar Values & Key Dates by Year
| Year | Mint Mark | Est. Value (Avg.) | Rare Variant? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1916-S | S | $300–$1,200+ | Semi-Key |
| 1921 | No Mint | $500–$4,000+ | Major Key |
| 1921-D | D | $800–$6,000+ | Scarce |
| 1938-D | D | $150–$1,200+ | Key Date |
| 1919-D | D | $200–$2,500+ | Tough in High Grade |
✅ GoldSilver Tip: Full hand detail (called “Full Strike”) can double or triple the value of many coins — especially pre-1934 Walkers!
Key Features of Walking Liberty Half Dollars
✨ Design
Adolph Weinman’s masterpiece of Liberty striding toward the sunrise embodies optimism and resilience — widely hailed as the finest U.S. silver coin design.
🏛️ Historical Significance
Spanning World War I, the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, and World War II, Walking Liberty Half Dollars reflect a pivotal American era.
🛠️ Mintage Periods
Struck continuously from 1916–1947, with key semi-keys in early years (1916–1923) and lower mintages in 1938.
🥈 Composition
90% Silver, 10% Copper — each coin weighs 12.5 grams.
💎 Collection Appeal
Highly collectible by year, mintmark, and grade — “Full Hand” strikes are especially prized by registry set builders.
✅ Tip: Early San Francisco (S) and Denver (D) mint Walkers are often weakly struck — fully struck examples can skyrocket in value!
Most Valuable Walking Liberty Half Dollars (Detailed Breakdown)
- 1921-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar — $800–$6,000+
Scarce mintage and difficult in high grade. - 1921 (Philadelphia) — $500–$4,000+
Key date, often weakly struck. - 1916-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar — $300–$1,200+
First year San Francisco Mint issue — low production. - 1938-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar — $150–$1,200+
Final-year Denver Mint scarcity. - 1919-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar — $200–$2,500+
Tougher than many realize, especially in XF and better.
Comparison: Walking Liberty vs Franklin Half Dollars
| Feature | Walking Liberty Half Dollar (1916–1947) | Franklin Half Dollar (1948–1963) |
|---|---|---|
| Theme | Liberty & Resilience | Founding Father & Liberty Bell |
| Design | Lady Liberty & Eagle | Franklin Portrait & Liberty Bell |
| Strike Challenges | High-relief obverse detail | Bell lines on reverse |
| Key Rarities | 1921, 1921-D, 1938-D | 1949-S, 1955, Full Bell Lines |
| Collector Demand | Extremely Strong | Growing steadily |
✅ GoldSilver Insight: Walkers bring both art and history to a collection — Franklin Half Dollars lean more toward affordability and stacking!
Common Walking Liberty Errors and Varieties
🛠️ Top Walking Liberty Half Dollar Errors:
- Doubled Dies — Seen on dates like 1941-S and others.
- Misaligned Dies — Off-center strikes sometimes command premiums.
- Repunched Mintmarks (RPMs) — Notable in some 1940s San Francisco coins.
✅ Error Tip: PCGS/NGC slabbed error Walkers can sell for 2–4x more than raw examples!
How to Sell Walking Liberty Half Dollars
Step 1: Identify Key Dates and Strike Quality
Full Hand details, strong rims, and eye appeal are crucial.
Step 2: Grade Wisely
Certified MS63–MS65 examples sell for major premiums.
Step 3: Pick the Right Platform
- eBay — For circulated Walkers.
- GreatCollections — For MS60–MS65 coins.
- Heritage Auctions — For key dates, high-grade specimens.
✅ Selling Tip: Show clear close-ups of Liberty’s hand, date, and mintmark in your listings — it will boost trust and final price.
How to Store and Preserve Walking Liberty Half Dollars
🏛️ Use Archival Materials — Acid-free flips, slabs, or capsules.
🌡️ Stable Climate — Cool, dry environments slow toning and tarnish.
🧤 Handle Carefully — Hold edges only; avoid fingerprints.
🧽 Never Clean — Natural toning or light wear is preferred by collectors!
✅ Bonus: Original “album toned” Walkers — with natural blue-gold hues — can bring 20–50% higher
What are Walking Liberty Half Dollars?
Walking Liberty Half Dollars are U.S. silver coins minted between 1916 and 1947, featuring Lady Liberty striding toward the sun on the obverse and an eagle perched on a crag on the reverse. They are celebrated for their artistic design and historical significance.
Why are Walking Liberty Half Dollars so collectible?
Collectors prize them for their stunning high-relief design, 90% silver content, challenging strike quality (especially full hand details), and a mix of affordable common dates with scarce key dates like the 1921 and 1938-D.
How much silver is in a Walking Liberty Half Dollar?
Each Walking Liberty Half Dollar contains approximately 0.3617 troy ounces of pure silver, with a total weight of 12.5 grams composed of 90% silver and 10% copper.
What are the key dates for Walking Liberty Half Dollars?
Key dates include 1916-S, 1921, 1921-D, 1919-D, and 1938-D, with major premiums for high-grade examples or coins with “Full Hand” details.
What is a “Full Strike” Walking Liberty Half Dollar?
A “Full Strike” refers to coins where Liberty’s hand, head, and skirt show full detail. Full strikes are rare, especially for early San Francisco and Denver Mint coins, and can significantly increase a coin’s value.
What are common Walking Liberty Half Dollar errors?
Top errors include doubled dies (notably on 1941-S), repunched mintmarks (RPMs on some 1940s-S issues), and off-center strikes. Certified error coins often command premiums 2–4 times higher than regular coins.
How can I tell if my Walking Liberty Half Dollar is valuable?
Check the date and mintmark, look for a full strike, and assess the overall condition. Coins with minimal wear, strong luster, and clear hand details can be highly valuable. Key dates like 1921 and 1938-D are especially sought after.
Should I clean my Walking Liberty Half Dollar before selling it?
No! Cleaning a coin destroys its original surfaces and significantly lowers its value. Natural toning and original luster are preferred by collectors and can bring much higher prices.
Where is the best place to sell Walking Liberty Half Dollars?
For common circulated coins, platforms like eBay work well. For rare dates or higher grades, GreatCollections or Heritage Auctions are better choices to achieve top dollar.
Are Walking Liberty Half Dollars a good investment?
Yes. They offer a strong combination of historical appeal, silver bullion value, and collector demand. Particularly scarce dates and fully struck examples have shown steady long-term appreciation.