Walking Liberty Half Dollars: Key Dates and What They’re Worth

Walking Liberty half dollars (1916 to 1947) are 90% silver. Learn where to find the mint mark, the key dates, and what affects their value.

Many collectors call the Walking Liberty half dollar the most beautiful silver coin the U.S. ever made. Lady Liberty strides toward the sunrise, wrapped in a flag, with her hand outstretched. The design was so loved that the U.S. Mint brought it back in 1986 for the front of the American Silver Eagle.

1945-D Walking Liberty half dollar, front
Walking Liberty half dollars were made from 1916 to 1947.

The Basics

  • Made from 1916 to 1947
  • Designed by Adolph A. Weinman, who also designed the Mercury dime
  • 90% silver, weighing 12.5 grams, with about 0.36 troy ounces of pure silver
  • Struck at Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S)

Where to Find the Mint Mark

This one is tricky. In 1916 and part of 1917, the mint mark was on the front, below IN GOD WE TRUST. Starting in 1917, it moved to the back, at the lower left near the rim, under the pine branch. That’s why there are two versions of the 1917-D and 1917-S: “obverse mint mark” and “reverse mint mark.”

1916-S Walking Liberty half dollar, front and back
In 1916, the mint mark was on the front, below IN GOD WE TRUST.

Key Dates to Look For

  • 1916-S: The first-year San Francisco coin, with the mint mark on the front.
  • 1917-S (obverse mint mark): Scarcer than the reverse mint mark version.
  • 1919-D, 1921, 1921-D, and 1921-S: Low-mintage dates and the real keys to the series. The 1921 dates are especially scarce.
  • 1938-D: The lowest-mintage date of the later years, and a popular semi-key.

As with any key date, be careful with coins that have mint marks that look added or dates that look altered.

What Common Dates Are Worth

The 1940s dates are the most common. Worn examples trade mostly for their silver content, and bright uncirculated ones bring a collector premium. A Walking Liberty with strong detail in Liberty’s hand and the lines of her skirt is in better condition than one where those areas are worn flat.

For more on how silver coins are valued, see my junk silver guide.

Don’t Clean Them

Walking Liberty halves are large, and cleaning scratches show up clearly on their big, open surfaces. Leave them as they are.

More guides: Franklin halves, commemorative half dollars, Mercury dimes, Silver Eagle key dates.

The Bottom Line

Every Walking Liberty half dollar is 90% silver. Check the mint mark (front for 1916 and some 1917 coins, back after that) and look for the key dates from 1916 to 1921 and the 1938-D. The 1940s dates are common but always worth their silver.

Have Walking Liberty halves? JoCo Coin Shop offers honest, no-obligation appraisals across the Kansas City area. Contact me by phone, text, or email to get started.

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