1934 Half Dollar Coin Value (Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth)

The 1934 Walking Liberty Half Dollar demonstrates the complex value dynamics that make these Depression-era coins compelling for collectors and investors alike.

Recent auction results highlight this potential, with a top-graded 1934 MS68 specimen selling for $20,400 in 2021, while branch mint varieties have achieved even higher premiums—a 1934-S MS67 brought $42,000 in 2019.

The 1934 series illustrates how mint mark and condition create distinct value tiers, with each of the three varieties offering different collector appeal and market positioning.

Evaluating 1934 Walking Liberty Half Dollars requires understanding key factors including mintage data, survival statistics, condition challenges, and auction performance – elements we’ll explore in detail to provide collectors with the comprehensive foundation needed for informed purchasing decisions.

 

1934 Half Dollar Value By Variety

The following table provides current market values for all three varieties of 1934 Walking Liberty Half Dollars across different condition grades.

Tip: Use our CoinValueChecker App for real-time variety identification and current market values.

 

1934 Half Dollar Market Trend

The market interest trend for 1934 Half Dollars shows notable fluctuations throughout the past decade. Interest levels varied considerably from 2015 to 2018, with several peaks and valleys indicating periods of heightened and diminished collector attention.

The most significant surge occurred in February 2019, when market interest reached its highest point. This spike likely reflected heightened collector interest driven by market speculation or significant auction events during that period.

Following this peak, interest gradually normalized and has maintained consistent but moderate levels through 2025, suggesting the coin has found its stable position among collectors.

This trend pattern demonstrates how 1934 Half Dollars have evolved from periodic interest spikes to sustained collector demand, reflecting their growing recognition as solid numismatic investments.

For collectors interested in understanding how this coin performs relative to other collectible issues, the comprehensive US Coin Market Trend Ranking (Top 100) provides valuable context.

 

History of the 1934 Half Dollar

The 1934 Walking Liberty Half Dollar was part of a series that began in 1916, designed by renowned sculptor Adolph A. Weinman following a design competition conducted by Mint Director Robert W. Woolley to replace the Barber coinage that had been in use since 1892.

By 1934, the Walking Liberty series had overcome its early production challenges and entered what collectors now recognize as its middle period. Production had been sporadic from 1922 until 1933 due to economic conditions, but continuous minting resumed in 1934 and continued through 1947.

The 1934 half dollars were struck at three mints: Philadelphia produced 6,964,000 pieces without mint marks, Denver created 2,361,400 coins marked with “D,” and San Francisco minted 3,652,000 pieces bearing the “S” designation.

The 1934 series represented a return to regular production after the intermittent minting of the previous decade, continuing the Walking Liberty design through the economic challenges of the Great Depression era.

Also Read: 10 Most Historic Years of Walking Liberty Half Dollar (1916-1947)

 

Is Your 1934 Half Dollar Rare?

The 1934 Walking Liberty Half Dollar series demonstrates a clear rarity hierarchy across the three mint facilities. The Philadelphia issue (no mint mark) receives a “Rare” classification with a rarity score of 40, ranking 43rd among all Walking Liberty Half Dollars.

Both branch mint issues achieve “Very Rare” status, with the 1934-D scoring 48 points and ranking 32nd, while the 1934-S leads within the 1934 group with a rarity score of 52, positioning it as the 28th rarest in the entire Walking Liberty sequence.

This ranking pattern reflects the conditional rarity phenomenon where lower mintage figures and reduced survival rates in high grades contribute to increased scarcity.

For collectors seeking detailed rarity assessments and comparative rankings, our CoinValueChecker App provides comprehensive rarity data across the series.

The complete Walking Liberty Half Dollar Rarity Ranking (Top 100) offers valuable insights into how these 1934 issues fit within the overall series hierarchy.

 

Key Features of the 1934 Half Dollar

The 1934 Walking Liberty Half Dollar represents Adolph A. Weinman’s enduring design during the series’ middle period, following the resumption of regular production after sporadic minting in the previous decade.

The Obverse of the 1934 Half Dollar

The 1934 Half Dollar obverse depicts Lady Liberty striding toward the dawn. Her right hand reaches forward while her left hand holds branches of olive and oak – the olive representing peace, while the oak symbolizes strength. The American flag drapes behind her figure.

“LIBERTY” appears inscribed along the upper edge, with “IN GOD WE TRUST” placed in the right field. The date “1934” is positioned at the bottom center.

The Reverse of the 1934 Half Dollar

The reverse displays a bald eagle standing on a rocky outcrop with wings half-extended. A pine branch emerges from the rock formation below the eagle.

“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” follows the upper rim, while “HALF DOLLAR” runs along the bottom edge. “E PLURIBUS UNUM” appears to the left of the eagle.

Mint marks are found below the pine branch when applicable—”D” for Denver or “S” for San Francisco, with Philadelphia issues bearing no mint mark. Weinman’s designer initials “AW” are placed below the eagle’s tail feathers.

Other Features of the 1934 Half Dollar

The 1934 Walking Liberty Half Dollar has a diameter of 30.00 mm, weighs 12.50 grams, and measures 1.8 mm in thickness. The composition consists of 90% silver and 10% copper, yielding 11.25 grams of actual silver content.

 

1934 Half Dollar Mintage & Survival Data

The 1934 Half Dollar mintage and survival data shows clear production differences across the three facilities. Philadelphia led production with 6,964,000 coins, followed by San Francisco’s 3,652,000 pieces and Denver’s 2,361,400 coins.

Survival rates remain remarkably consistent across all three mints. Philadelphia preserved 350,000 coins with a 5.0258% survival rate, while San Francisco retained 182,500 pieces at 4.9973%, and Denver maintained 117,500 coins at 4.9759%. The Philadelphia issue retains the largest surviving population due to its substantially higher original mintage.

While survival rates show minimal variation between mints, the absolute numbers of surviving coins differ significantly based on original production volumes. These figures provide collectors with essential data for understanding the relative scarcity of each mint’s 1934 half dollars.

The complete Walking Liberty Half Dollar Survival Ranking (Top 100) offers comprehensive survival analysis across the entire series, helping collectors evaluate rarity patterns throughout the Walking Liberty sequence.

 

1934 Half Dollar Grading

The 1934 Walking Liberty Half Dollar requires careful condition assessment due to inherent striking challenges throughout the series.

The Philadelphia issue is considered common through MS66 grades, while the branch mint issues show different characteristics. The 1934-D often exhibits weak strikes on Liberty’s head and incompletely struck dates, though it maintains strong luster. The 1934-S is common up to MS63 but becomes scarce in higher grades.

Key evaluation factors include examining mint luster continuity, strike quality at Liberty’s left hand and the eagle’s breast, and identifying contact marks in prime focal areas such as the obverse field above “IN GOD WE TRUST” and the eagle’s breast and left wing.

Proper condition evaluation significantly impacts value determination across all three mint variants. For collectors seeking an initial assessment, our CoinValueChecker App can help evaluate your coin’s grade and condition.

Understanding proper evaluation techniques is essential, and the complete guide on How to Grade Walking Liberty Half Dollar provides detailed methodology for assessing these rewarding coins.

 

1934 Half Dollar Value Guides

The 1934 Walking Liberty Half Dollar was produced at all three active U.S. Mint facilities, creating distinct varieties for collectors.

• 1934 No Mint Mark Half Dollar – Philadelphia Mint Production
• 1934-D Half Dollar – Denver Mint Production
• 1934-S Half Dollar – San Francisco Mint Production

The Philadelphia Mint, operating without mint marks, produced the largest quantity at 6,964,000 pieces. Denver’s output totaled 2,361,400 coins bearing the “D” mint mark, while San Francisco contributed 3,652,000 pieces marked with “S.”

These three varieties form the complete 1934 half dollar collection, with each offering different levels of scarcity and collector appeal in various grades.

 

1934 No Mint Mark Half Dollar Value

The 1934 No Mint Mark Half Dollar is the most common variety among the three 1934 Walking Liberty Half Dollars. With a mintage of 6,964,000 pieces from the Philadelphia Mint, this issue has a survival rate of 5.0258%, resulting in approximately 350,000 surviving coins today.

The coin is identifiable by the absence of mint marks on the reverse side, following the Philadelphia Mint’s traditional practice. This variety typically exhibits strong design definition and attractive luster qualities.

While generally accessible in circulated grades, higher mint state examples still command significant premiums, as evidenced by a top-graded MS68 specimen that sold for $20,400 in 2021, reflecting the substantial value difference between average and exceptional quality examples within this relatively common issue.