Ever held a Walking Liberty Half Dollar and felt its weight, admired Lady Liberty striding toward the sunrise? Now imagine that same coin could be worth $345,000. That’s not a typo—that’s what a 1918-D in top condition commands in today’s market. Welcome to the fascinating world where art meets rarity, and where a single coin can be worth more than a luxury car.
The Walking Liberty Half Dollar, minted from 1916 to 1947, isn’t just another old coin—it’s widely considered the most beautiful American coin ever struck. Designed by Adolph A. Weinman, these silver beauties showcase Liberty in full stride against the rising sun, while the reverse features a majestic eagle. But here’s where it gets exciting: not all Walking Liberty halves are created equal.
Also Read:
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- Walking Liberty Half Dollar Survival Ranking (Top 100)
We’ve compiled this definitive Top 100 ranking using a 100-point rarity scale. At the pinnacle sits the legendary 1919-D with a rarity score of 93/100 and an estimated value of $322,000. Even our #95 coin (1944-S Inv Mintmark FS-511) scores 10/100 with a respectable $625 value. Every coin on this list deserves attention—and possibly a spot in your collection.
Understanding the Rarity Scale
Our 100-point rarity system isn’t arbitrary—it’s based on:
- Original mintage numbers: Lower production = higher rarity
- Survival rates: How many still exist in collectible condition
- Market availability: How often they appear at auction
- Collector demand: The eternal chase for the impossible
A score of 90+ means you’re looking at the holy grails, while even a 10/100 indicates a coin worth significantly more than its silver content.
Walking Liberty Half Dollar Rarity Ranking (Top 100)
| RANK | IMAGE | RARITY | NAME | PRICE | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 |
93/100 | 1919-D | $322,000 | Details |
| 2 |
 |
91/100 | 1921-S | $253,000 | Details |
| 3 |
 |
85/100 | 1918-D | $345,000 | Details |
| 4 |
 |
85/100 | 1918-S | $101,200 | Details |
| 5 |
 |
85/100 | 1946 DDR | $22,000 | Details |
| 6 |
 |
84/100 | 1917-S Obverse | $161,000 | Details |
| 7 |
 |
84/100 | 1921-D | $161,000 | Details |
| 8 |
 |
82/100 | 1920-S | $110,400 | Details |
| 9 |
 |
82/100 | 1920-D | $78,200 | Details |
| 10 |
 |
82/100 | 1917-S Reverse | $69,000 | Details |
| 11 |
 |
82/100 | 1917-D Reverse | $39,100 | Details |
| 12 |
 |
81/100 | 1919-S | $78,200 | Details |
| 13 |
 |
81/100 | 1928-S | $36,800 | Details |
| 14 |
 |
80/100 | 1923-S | $87,400 | Details |
| 15 |
 |
80/100 | 1917-D Obverse | $73,600 | Details |
| 16 |
 |
80/100 | 1921 | $59,800 | Details |
| 17 |
 |
80/100 | 1928-S | $28,900 | Details |
| 18 |
 |
75/100 | 1916-S | $78,200 | Details |
| 19 |
 |
75/100 | 1919 | $73,600 | Details |
| 20 |
 |
73/100 | 1920 | $34,500 | Details |
| 21 |
 |
70/100 | 1918 | $50,600 | Details |
| 22 |
 |
62/100 | 1916-D | $48,300 | Details |
| 23 |
 |
60/100 | 1916 | $62,100 | Details |
| 24 |
 |
59/100 | 1929-S | $46,000 | Details |
| 25 |
 |
58/100 | 1929-D | $78,200 | Details |
| 26 |
 |
56/100 | 1917 | $29,900 | Details |
| 27 |
 |
55/100 | 1933-S | $69,000 | Details |
| 28 |
 |
52/100 | 1934-S | $27,600 | Details |
| 29 |
 |
50/100 | 1935-S | $43,700 | Details |
| 30 |
 |
50/100 | 1935-D | $23,000 | Details |
| 31 |
 |
49/100 | 1936 PR | $138,000 | Details |
| 32 |
 |
48/100 | 1934-D | $41,400 | Details |
| 33 |
 |
45/100 | 1937 PR | $34,500 | Details |
| 34 |
 |
45/100 | 1938-D | $25,300 | Details |
| 35 |
 |
44/100 | 1938 PR | $41,400 | Details |
| 36 |
 |
44/100 | 1936-S | $34,500 | Details |
| 37 |
 |
42/100 | 1937-D | $39,100 | Details |
| 38 |
 |
42/100 | 1939 PR | $39,100 | Details |
| 39 |
 |
42/100 | 1936-D | $21,600 | Details |
| 40 |
 |
42/100 | 1937-S | $17,000 | Details |
| 41 |
 |
41/100 | 1936 DDO FS-101 (008.4) | $16,100 | Details |
| 42 |
 |
40/100 | 1938 | $23,000 | Details |
| 43 |
 |
40/100 | 1934 | $17,000 | Details |
| 44 |
 |
39/100 | 1938 | $32,500 | Details |
| 45 |
 |
39/100 | 1940 PR | $23,000 | Details |
| 46 |
 |
38/100 | 1942 | $45,000 | Details |
| 47 |
 |
38/100 | 1940-S | $35,400 | Details |
| 48 |
 |
38/100 | 1935 | $23,000 | Details |
| 49 |
 |
37/100 | 1937 | $20,700 | Details |
| 50 |
 |
35/100 | 1942-S | $64,400 | Details |
| 51 |
 |
35/100 | 1941 PR | $46,000 | Details |
| 52 |
 |
35/100 | 1941-S | $28,900 | Details |
| 53 |
 |
35/100 | 1943-S | $28,900 | Details |
| 54 |
 |
34/100 | 1944-S | $36,800 | Details |
| 55 |
 |
30/100 | 1939-S | $27,600 | Details |
| 56 |
 |
30/100 | 1936 | $25,300 | Details |
| 57 |
 |
29/100 | 1942 PR | $55,200 | Details |
| 58 |
 |
29/100 | 1945-S | $41,400 | Details |
| 59 |
 |
29/100 | 1939-D | $29,900 | Details |
| 60 |
 |
29/100 | 1939 | $6,500 | Details |
| 61 |
 |
28/100 | 1946 | $87,400 | Details |
| 62 |
 |
28/100 | 1939 | $41,400 | Details |
| 63 |
 |
28/100 | 1947 | $39,100 | Details |
| 64 |
 |
27/100 | 1944 | $52,900 | Details |
| 65 |
 |
27/100 | 1940 | $41,400 | Details |
| 66 |
 |
27/100 | 1942-D | $41,400 | Details |
| 67 |
 |
27/100 | 1943-D | $34,500 | Details |
| 68 |
 |
27/100 | 1941-D | $28,900 | Details |
| 69 |
 |
27/100 | 1947-D | $16,100 | Details |
| 70 |
 |
26/100 | 1944-D | $55,200 | Details |
| 71 |
 |
26/100 | 1946-S | $33,100 | Details |
| 72 |
 |
25/100 | 1941 | $52,900 | Details |
| 73 |
 |
25/100 | 1945-D | $41,400 | Details |
| 74 |
 |
24/100 | 1943 | $115,000 | Details |
| 75 |
 |
24/100 | 1945 | $62,100 | Details |
| 76 |
 |
23/100 | 1942 | $78,200 | Details |
| 77 |
 |
23/100 | 1946-D | $25,300 | Details |
| 78 |
 |
19/100 | 1941-S | $2,000 | Details |
| 79 |
 |
17/100 | 1942 DDR FS-801 | $12,500 | Details |
| 80 |
 |
17/100 | 1943-S | $1,500 | Details |
| 81 |
 |
16/100 | 1916-D RPM FS-501 | $5,000 | Details |
| 82 |
 |
16/100 | 1946 DDO FS-101 | $5,000 | Details |
| 83 |
 |
15/100 | 1945 FS-901, Missing Initials | $4,500 | Details |
| 84 |
 |
15/100 | 1946 DDR FS-801 | $4,500 | Details |
| 85 |
 |
12/100 | 1944-D FS-901 Hand Engraved Initials | $7,000 | Details |
| 86 |
 |
12/100 | 1936 DDO FS-102 | $2,750 | Details |
| 87 |
 |
12/100 | 1941-S FS-901 Missing Wing Feathers | $1,500 | Details |
| 88 |
 |
11/100 | 1936-D DDO FS-101 | $7,500 | Details |
| 89 |
 |
11/100 | 1941-S/S RPM FS-501 | $1,500 | Details |
| 90 |
 |
11/100 | 1939-D/D RPM FS-501 | $1,250 | Details |
| 91 |
 |
11/100 | 1944-S/S RPM FS-501 | $550 | Details |
| 92 |
 |
10/100 | 1941-D/D RPM FS-501 | $2,000 | Details |
| 93 |
 |
10/100 | 1939-D DDO FS-101 | $1,500 | Details |
| 94 |
 |
10/100 | 1944-S/S RPM FS-502 | $750 | Details |
| 95 |
 |
10/100 | 1944-S Inv Mintmark FS-511 | $625 | Details |
The Elite Top 10: Where Dreams Meet Reality
1. 1919-D (Rarity: 93/100, Value: $322,000)
The undisputed king! With one of the lowest mintages in the series (1,165,000) and brutal survival rates, finding a high-grade 1919-D is like striking numismatic gold. Most were heavily circulated during the Depression era, making pristine examples extraordinarily rare.
2. 1921-S (Rarity: 91/100, Value: $253,000)
The last year of regular production saw minuscule mintages. The San Francisco mint produced just 548,000 pieces, and most entered circulation immediately. Today, a gem example is rarer than a perfect game in baseball.
3. 1918-D (Rarity: 85/100, Value: $345,000)
Here’s a paradox—not the rarest, but the most valuable! Why? Condition rarity. While 3,853,040 were minted, finding one in mint state is nearly impossible. The few that survive in top grades command astronomical prices.
4. 1918-S (Rarity: 85/100, Value: $101,200)
The San Francisco companion to the 1918-D tells a similar story. Low mintage (10,282,000) combined with heavy circulation during WWI and the subsequent economic turmoil decimated the population.
5. 1946 DDR (Rarity: 85/100, Value: $22,000)
The sleeper hit! This doubled die reverse variety flew under collectors’ radars for decades. The doubling on HALF DOLLAR is dramatic and unmistakable. It’s proof that varieties can be just as valuable as low-mintage dates.
Key Varieties That Command Premiums
The Mint Mark Mysteries
Walking Liberty halves feature three mint marks (when present):
- No mint mark: Philadelphia
- D: Denver
- S: San Francisco
But here’s where it gets interesting—some years have varieties within varieties:
1917 Obverse vs. Reverse Mint Marks
In 1917, the mint couldn’t decide where to put the mint mark! Early strikes have it on the obverse (front), later ones on the reverse. Both Denver and San Francisco versions exist:
- 1917-S Obverse (#6, Value: $161,000)
- 1917-S Reverse (#10, Value: $69,000)
- 1917-D Obverse (#15, Value: $73,600)
- 1917-D Reverse (#11, Value: $39,100)
Doubled Dies and RPMs
- 1946 DDR (#5): The most dramatic doubled die in the series
- 1942 DDR FS-801 (#79): Visible doubling worth $12,500
- 1916-D RPM FS-501 (#81): Re-punched mint mark variety at $5,000
Special Designations
FS Numbers (Fivaz-Stanton): These catalog numbers identify specific varieties. Think of them as the coin’s fingerprint—unique identifiers that separate a $500 coin from a $5,000 treasure.
Missing Designer Initials: The 1945 FS-901 (#83, Value: $4,500) mysteriously lacks Weinman’s “AW” initials. Nobody knows why, but collectors pay premiums for the mystery!
The Proof Strikes: Mirrors of Perfection
Starting in 1936, the mint produced special proof versions for collectors:
- 1936 PR (#31, Rarity: 49/100, Value: $138,000)
- 1937 PR (#33, Rarity: 45/100, Value: $34,500)
- 1938 PR (#35, Rarity: 44/100, Value: $41,400)
With mintages under 10,000 and mirror-like surfaces, these aren’t just coins—they’re miniature works of art.
Depression Era Rarities
The 1920s and early 1930s saw limited production as America grappled with economic uncertainty:
- 1920-S (#8, Value: $110,400)
- 1923-S (#14, Value: $87,400)
- 1928-S (#13, Value: $36,800)
- 1933-S (#27, Value: $69,000)
These dates combine low mintages with high attrition rates—many were melted when silver prices spiked.
Hunting for Treasures: What to Look For
In Circulation (Yes, Still Possible!)
While you won’t find a 1919-D in pocket change, worn common dates still appear. Check for:
- Clear dates (especially 1916-1947)
- Mint marks on the reverse (left of the eagle)
- Any unusual doubling or errors
At Estate Sales and Flea Markets
- Look for original bank rolls or albums
- Check dates against our Top 100 list
- Even worn key dates have value
Professional Grading Matters
The difference between grades can be thousands:
- VF (Very Fine): Collectible but affordable
- XF (Extremely Fine): Getting interesting
- AU (About Uncirculated): Now we’re talking
- MS (Mint State): Where dreams come true
Investment Perspective
Walking Liberty halves offer unique advantages:
- Intrinsic value: 90% silver content provides a floor
- Artistic appeal: Universally acknowledged beauty
- Limited supply: No more will ever be made
- Growing demand: New collectors enter monthly
The market has shown consistent appreciation, with key dates outperforming gold and stocks over decades.
Authentication Tips
With values this high, counterfeits exist. Protect yourself:
- Buy from reputable dealers
- Insist on third-party grading (PCGS, NGC)
- Learn the diagnostics for your target dates
- When in doubt, get expert opinions
Building Your Collection
Budget-Friendly Start ($100-$1,000)
- Common dates in VF-XF condition
- Minor varieties like 1941-S/S RPM (#89, $1,500)
- Damaged key dates (still valuable!)
Intermediate Level ($1,000-$10,000)
- Better dates in mid-grades
- Proof strikes from 1939-1942
- Certified varieties with FS numbers
Advanced Collection ($10,000+)
- Top 50 coins in any grade
- High-grade common dates (MS65+)
- Complete variety sets
Summary
The Walking Liberty Half Dollar represents the pinnacle of American coin artistry, and our Top 100 ranking showcases why certain dates command king’s ransoms. From the legendary 1919-D at $322,000 to the “affordable” varieties under $1,000, every coin tells a story of American history, artistic achievement, and numismatic passion.
Remember these key points:
- Rarity drives value: Our 100-point scale quantifies scarcity
- Condition is crucial: The same date can vary from $50 to $50,000
- Varieties matter: That 1946 DDR proves minor differences equal major money
- Authentication is essential: Buy certified coins for expensive dates
- Start somewhere: Even common dates in nice condition appreciate
Whether you’re drawn to the artistic beauty, historical significance, or investment potential, Walking Liberty halves offer something special. They’re not just coins—they’re 90% silver canvases featuring America’s most beautiful numismatic art.
Happy hunting, and may your next flea market find be a 1921-S in mint state! Remember, every collection starts with a single coin, and every expert was once a beginner who refused to give up the hunt.
The post Walking Liberty Half Dollar Rarity Ranking (Top 100) appeared first on CoinValueChecker.
