1947 Half Dollar Coin Value (Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth)

When collectors discover a 1947 Walking Liberty half dollar in their inheritance or coin collection, they often find themselves holding the final chapter of one of America’s most beautiful coin series.

These silver treasures, representing the last year of production for Weinman’s iconic design, typically range from $9-26 in circulated condition to $45-95 for uncirculated specimens, though exceptional examples have reached hundreds of dollars at auction.

Recent market trends show growing collector interest as these 90% silver coins become increasingly scarce, with Denver Mint examples being particularly rare in high grades. Understanding what makes your 1947 half dollar valuable requires examining the factors that separate common silver coins from numismatic treasures.

 

1947 Half Dollar Value By Variety

The value of your 1947 half dollar depends primarily on which mint produced it and the coin’s condition, with Philadelphia and Denver issues showing distinct differences in both availability and market pricing.

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

 

1947 Half Dollar Market Trend

The market interest trend for 1947 half dollars reveals a pattern of collector behavior over the past decade. The chart shows significant volatility in the earlier years, with notable peaks occurring around 2016 and again in 2019, suggesting periods of heightened collector activity and market speculation.

Following these spikes, interest has generally stabilized at more moderate levels, indicating a maturing market where serious collectors continue to seek quality specimens without the dramatic fluctuations of previous years.

This cyclical pattern reflects broader numismatic market dynamics, where commemorative anniversaries, silver price movements, and collector education drive periodic surges in attention. The current stable trend suggests that 1947 half dollars have found their established place in the collecting hierarchy.

To better understand where these coins rank among collector preferences, let’s examine their position in the US Coin Market Trend Ranking (Top 100).

 

History Of The 1947 Half Dollar

The 1947 half dollar represents a pivotal moment in American numismatic history, marking the end of Adolph A. Weinman’s beloved Walking Liberty design that had graced U.S. coinage since 1916. This final year concluded over three decades of one of America’s most artistic coin series.

The timing proved significant as post-war America experienced unprecedented economic prosperity. The nation’s gross national product soared from $200 billion in 1940 to $300 billion by 1950, driving substantial demand for coinage. This boom directly influenced the 1947 mintage, with Philadelphia producing 4,094,000 coins and Denver minting 3,900,600 pieces.

In 1947, Mint Director Nellie Taylor Ross began planning a replacement for the “Walking Liberty” half dollar series. She commissioned Chief Engraver John R. Sinnock to design a new half dollar depicting Benjamin Franklin. This marked the Mint’s shift from symbolic figures to historical figures.

While the “Walking Liberty” design was once admired for its artistic beauty, it was now considered outdated. Mint officials sought a more modern image for the nation’s coins.

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

 

Key Features Of The 1947 Half Dollar

The 1947 Walking Liberty half dollar showcases Weinman’s masterful artistry through distinctive design elements that have captivated collectors for decades, combining symbolic imagery with precise technical specifications.

The Obverse Of The 1947 Half Dollar

The obverse depicts Lady Liberty striding confidently toward the rising sun, her right arm outstretched while her left carries branches of oak and laurel symbolizing strength and victory. Draped in the flowing American flag, Liberty wears Roman-style sandals and moves across rocky terrain, embodying the nation’s forward momentum. 

The inscriptions “LIBERTY” arcs across the top, “IN GOD WE TRUST” appears at the lower right, and the date “1947” is positioned at the bottom center.

The Reverse Of The 1947 Half Dollar

The reverse of the 1947 half dollar features a powerful depiction of America’s national bird, the bald eagle, perched with wings partially spread upon a rocky outcrop. From the rock grows a small pine sapling—a symbolic representation of the nation’s resilience and growth.

Surrounding the central motif are the inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” arched above, “HALF DOLLAR” below, and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” positioned to the left. A subtle but significant detail is Adolph A. Weinman’s monogram “AW,” discreetly placed below the eagle’s right wing, acknowledging the designer’s artistic contribution.

This finely crafted scene embodies themes of strength, freedom, and natural beauty—making it one of the most admired designs in U.S. coinage history.

Other Features Of The 1947 Half Dollar

The coin weighs 12.50 grams with a diameter of 30.6mm and features a reeded edge typical of silver denominations. Composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, each coin contains 0.36169 troy ounces of pure silver. The mint mark, when present, appears on the reverse beneath the olive branch, with “D” indicating Denver production while Philadelphia coins bear no mint mark.

 

1947 Half Dollar Mintage & Survival Data

The 1947 half dollar was struck at two mints to meet post-war demand. Philadelphia produced 4,094,000 coins and Denver made 3,900,600 pieces. Both facilities operated at high capacity.

Today, an estimated 400,000 examples survive from each mint. This represents a survival rate of 9.77% for Philadelphia coins and 10.25% for Denver coins. Despite a lower original mintage, Denver’s survival rate is slightly higher.

Several factors influenced these patterns. Many coins entered heavy circulation during America’s economic expansion. Others were melted during later silver price surges. Yet more of these final-year Walking Liberty halves were saved by collectors, who recognized their historical significance.

Both mint marks are equally available in today’s market. Condition is the main factor affecting value. Most survivors show signs of wear, making high-grade examples especially desirable.

Within the broader Walking Liberty series, 1947 issues occupy a middle position for rarity, as demonstrated in the Walking Liberty Half Dollar Survival Ranking (Top 100).

 

1947 Half Dollar Grading

Grading 1947 half dollars focuses on the Walking Liberty design’s distinctive wear patterns. Liberty’s left hand, breast line, and skirt folds reveal the earliest circulation damage, while the reverse eagle’s breast feathers and leg details serve as crucial condition indicators.

Most surviving 1947 examples grade between Very Fine and Extremely Fine due to widespread post-war circulation. The coin’s silver content provides intrinsic value even in worn condition, but accurate grading becomes essential as numismatic premiums increase dramatically with better preservation.

Collectors seeking quick grade assessment can utilize our CoinValueChecker App for instant evaluation.

Understanding these grading fundamentals leads naturally to mastering the broader techniques covered in How to Grade Walking Liberty Half Dollar, which provides comprehensive guidance for the entire series.

 

1947 Half Dollar Value Guides

1947 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Main Varieties：

• 1947 (No Mint Mark)– Philadelphia Mint production; Mintage: 4,094,000 coins; No mint mark designation (standard for Philadelphia)
• 1947-D– Denver Mint production，Mintage: 3,900,600 coins; “D” mint mark located on reverse, left of “HALF DOLLAR”
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The 1947 Walking Liberty half dollar was struck at two mints. Philadelphia issues carry no mint mark, consistent with traditional U.S. Mint practice. Denver examples feature a small “D” mint mark on the reverse, placed to the left of the words “HALF DOLLAR.” Both varieties share Adolph Weinman’s iconic designs. The obverse depicts the striding Liberty, while the reverse shows the majestic eagle.

As the final year of the series, these coins are especially significant to collectors. Many seek both Philadelphia and Denver issues to complete their sets. The design was retired after 1947, making way for the Franklin half dollar in 1948.

1947 No Mint Mark Half Dollar Value

The 1947 no mint mark Walking Liberty half dollar was the final Philadelphia issue of this beloved series. As the last year of Adolph Weinman’s iconic design, it holds special historical significance. This led to greater preservation by collectors compared to earlier circulation-strike coins.

Although many were saved due to its final-year status, the 1947 Philadelphia issue is scarcer than the abundant 1941–1945 dates—especially in high grades. Most surviving examples show the frosty luster and sharp strike typical of Philadelphia minting at the time.

Auction records reflect strong market interest. An MS68 specimen sold for $30,000 at Heritage Auctions on February 12, 2023. This result highlights the substantial premiums that top-grade examples can achieve.