Complete Guide to Collecting Walking Liberty Half Dollars

By GovMint :

This guide is for novice coin collectors and anyone who wants to learn the fundamentals of collecting Walking Liberty Half Dollars. Join us as we cover essential coin-collecting tips, find answers to common questions, and more! 

Table of Contents

• The History of Walking Liberty Half Dollars & Their Face Value
• What Years Were Walking Liberty Half Dollars Made?
• Where Were Walking Liberty Half Dollars Minted?
• Why Collect Walking Liberty Half Dollars?
• Are All Walking Liberty Half Dollars 90% Silver?
• Are Walking Liberty Half Dollars Rare?
• Are Walking Liberty Half Dollars Junk Silver?
• How to Collect Walking Liberty Half Dollars
• What Should I Look for When Collecting Walking Liberty Silver Half Dollars?
• 3 Ways to Collect Walking Liberty Half Dollars
• What to Avoid When Collecting Walking Liberty Half Dollars
• The Modern Legacy of the Walking Liberty Half Dollar
• Where to Buy Walking Liberty Half Dollars

What Years Were Walking Liberty Half Dollars Made?

Weinman's iconic design for the Walking Liberty Half Dollar was first minted in 1916 and remained in circulation until 1947, spanning the tumultuous era of two world wars and a Great Depression. Throughout this period, over 485 million were minted. However, due to a lack of demand, exacerbated by the economic challenges of the Great Depression, the Mint did not issue coins for the following dates:

• 1922
• 1924
• 1925
• 1926
• 1930
• 1931

Where Are Walking Liberty Half Dollars Minted?

The Walking Liberty Half Dollar was minted at various U.S. Mint facilities, identified by a small mint mark or letter to denote its origins. For instance, the coin was minted at the following facilities with their respective mint marks and production dates:

• Denver: Noted by a "D" (1916-1921, 1929, 1934-1939, 1941-1947).
• San Francisco: Noted by an "S" (1916-1921, 1923, 1927-1929, 1933-1937, 1939-1946).
• Philadelphia: No mint mark appears on these (1916-1921, 1934-1947).  Coins produced at the Philadelphia Mint are typically struck without a "P" mint mark.

If you own a Walking Liberty Half Dollar, you can identify when it was made by examining the date stamped on the obverse (head side) of the coin. While the early 1916-D, 1916-S, 1917-D, and 1917-S coins displayed the mint mark on the obverse side, this practice shifted in 1917 when the mint mark was moved to the reverse side (tail side). From then until the discontinuation of the series in 1947, the mint mark appeared on the reverse.

Why Collect Walking Liberty Half Dollars?

Many coin enthusiasts enjoy adding Walking Liberty Half Dollars to their collection because of the coin’s rich history and beautiful designs, while others do it simply because of the challenge. Others still may try to collect these Half Dollars in bulk due to their 90% silver content, though Walking Liberties in better dates and higher conditions will be prized for numismatic appeal rather than precious metal content.

Are All Walking Liberty Half Dollars 90% Silver?

Yes. All Walking Liberty Half Dollars minted in its running lifespan of 1916 to 1947 were made with 90% silver and 10% copper.

Are Walking Liberty Half Dollars Rare?

Walking Liberty Half Dollars, minted from 1916 to 1947, are not necessarily rare, but some dates can be harder to find in high mint state conditions.

The rarity of a Walking Liberty Half Dollar depends on several factors, including the coin's grade or condition (whether it has been circulated), potential mint errors, the mint of origin and the final mintage (how many were made). Determined by these factors, a coin's potential sale price may significantly be affected (beyond its face value) among coin collectors and buyers. 

The 1938-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar is an example of an appealing date and mint mark combination with only 491,600 coins struck. By comparison, over 31,000,000 Walking Liberty Half Dollars were struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1945. Examples of 1938-D Walking Liberty Half Dollars in Good-4 condition or higher can be worth more than three times a common coin.

Are Walking Liberty Half Dollars Junk Silver?

Junk silver coins refer to those minted before 1965 with a composition of 90% silver that do not carry much, if any, numismatic value. By this definition, Walking Liberty Half Dollars CAN fall under the category of junk silver if their condition is poor or if they carry a very common date, as they were minted between 1916 and 1947 and have a composition of 90% silver. 

However, Walking Liberty Half Dollars with lower mintages, special factors such as mint errors, or those determined to be in high grades, would not be considered junk silver. Such examples would instead be prized by collectors for their numismatic appeal rather than silver content.

How to Collect Walking Liberty Half Dollars 

Collecting Walking Liberty Half Dollars offers a multitude of methods and strategies. As you start this journey as a coin collector, it is important to be mindful of specific tips and strategies. In the following sections, we’ll explore a few key considerations to guide you in building your collection.

What Should I Look for When Collecting Walking Liberty Silver Half Dollars?

When collecting Walking Liberty Silver Half Dollars, consider various aspects, including the coin’s anatomy (parts or features of a coin), the finish (such as a matte or frosted appearance), degree of wear, mint marks, and minting errors (such as double-struck features). Pay attention to these details as they will aid you in determining specific types of Walking Liberty Half Dollars you want to collect while also helping you avoid potential scams such as counterfeit coins.

3 Ways to Collect Walking Liberty Half Dollars

Now, let’s explore three of the most common methods used to collect Walking Liberty Half Dollars:

#1. By Year

One approach is to collect Walking Liberty Half Dollars based on the year of their minting. The implementation of this strategy may vary, but one simple method is to collect one Liberty Walking Half Dollar from each year it was minted.

#2. By Grade

Another straightforward strategy is to collect silver Walking Liberty Half Dollars by their grade. If you are budget-conscious, you may opt for coins that are more common and may have seen heavy use. On the other hand, if you have a more flexible budget and don’t mind a challenge, you can acquire coins in pristine or uncirculated condition. Uncirculated Walking Liberty Half Dollars tend to be less common, adding another level of difficulty to the collection process. 

 #3. By Mint

Another standard option is to build your collection of silver Walking Liberty Half Dollars based on their mint origin. For example, you could collect each year the Walking Liberty Half Dollar was minted at the Denver or San Francisco facilities or an example from each mint that struck this coin. 

What to Avoid When Collecting Walking Liberty Half Dollars

As you build your collection, refrain from cleaning or polishing your coins—a practice applicable to all coin types. Cleaning your coins can potentially damage them and impact their overall appeal if you decide to sell your collection. Plus, many collectors prefer coins in their original condition. 

You’ll also want to avoid:

• Buying coins that have undergone cleaning.
• Handling coins with bare hands, as the oils from your fingers can cause damage.
• Storing coins in a box or bag where they can get scratched or dinged.
• Buying coins without doing your research.
• Storing coins in a humid place, as humidity can also damage your coins.

Adhering to these practices will protect your coins from damage and help prevent you from buying coins that are fake or overpriced. 

Where to Buy Walking Liberty Half Dollars

We’ve covered the essentials of what you need to know about collecting silver Walking Liberty Half Dollars. If you are eager to start building your collection, consider buying Walking Liberty Half Dollars through our site at GovMint. As one of the largest retailers of Walking Liberty Half Dollars and other coins, we are proud to boast an A+ accreditation with the Better Business Bureau.  Visit GovMint today to start your coin-collecting journey. 

If you enjoyed this guide, be sure to check out the rest of our collection guides:

Guide To Collecting Pennies

Guide To Collecting Wheat Pennies

Guide To Collecting Steel Pennies

Guide To Collecting Half Dollars 

Guide To Collecting Silver Dollars

Guide To Collecting Gold Eagles 

Guide To Collecting Gold Coins

References:

https://www.usmint.gov/news/inside-the-mint/history-of-the-american-eagle-gold-coin

https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/walking-liberty-half-dollar-values-4058148

https://www.ngccoin.com/coin-explorer/united-states/half-dollars/walking-liberty-half-dollars-1916-1947/

https://www.coinnews.net/90-percent-silver-coins/walking-liberty-half-dollar/

https://www.coinstudy.com/walking-liberty-half-dollar-value.html

https://www.coinworld.com/news/us-coins/market-analysis-san-francisco-mint-walking-liberty-half-dollar

https://www.coinnews.net/90-percent-silver-coins/junk-silver-coins/

https://cointrackers.com/blog/17/most-valuable-liberty-half-dollars/