1942 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Values, Errors, and Rarities
1942 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Values, Errors, and Rarities
Complete collector's guide to one of America's most beautiful silver coins, covering all mint marks, varieties, and auction records
Table of Contents
Walking Liberty Overview & 1942 Significance
The Walking Liberty silver half dollar is considered by many to be the most beautiful US coin. The fact that it is one of the most popular US coins to collect, however, is beyond question. The Walking Liberty design has remained so popular that it was chosen in 1986 as the obverse of America's first silver bullion coin: the American Silver Eagle.
Historical Context
Walking Liberty half dollars from 1916 through 1933 can be scarce in all grades, with the rare 1919 and 1921 mintages being the top key dates. Mintages from the 1940s are readily found, thanks to the large numbers minted to support the booming wartime economy during WWII. The 1942, 1943, and 1946-D are the three most common Walking Liberty half dollars.
Design Legacy
The Walking Liberty design was created by Adolph A. Weinman and depicts Lady Liberty striding confidently toward the dawn of a new day, draped in the American flag. This iconic imagery represents American optimism and progress.
Silver Content Value
Walking Liberty half dollars contain 90% silver and 10% copper, with 0.36169 ounces of actual silver content. Current silver spot prices provide a foundation value for these historic coins regardless of numismatic premium.
Short Sets Popularity
The high prices of 1916 to 1933 Walking Liberty half dollars resulted in the invention of "Short Sets" - one from 1934 through 1947, and a "short" short set spanning only the 1941–1947 mintages.
Grading Knowledge
Coins are graded on a 70-point scale, where 1 is so worn as to be almost unidentifiable, and 70 is perfect, with no damage or blemishes visible even under magnification. Most Walking Liberty half dollar mintages after 1933 are common in circulated grades, with notable exceptions being the 1938-D and 1941-S.
1942-P Walking Liberty Half Dollar
With a robust 47,818,000 mintage, the 1942 Walking Liberty half dollar is a common and affordable coin, even in lower uncirculated grades. Unlike the 1942-S from San Francisco, this Philadelphia issue frequently has strong strikes, often with an attractive luster.
1942-P Philadelphia Mint
Mintage
| Grade | Value Range |
|---|---|
| G-4 | $13 - $15 |
| VG-8 | $14 - $16 |
| F-12 | $15 - $18 |
| VF-20 | $16 - $20 |
| EF-40 | $18 - $25 |
| AU-50 | $22 - $30 |
| MS-60 | $35 - $45 |
| MS-63 | $45 - $65 |
| MS-65 | $85 - $140 |
| MS-67 | $450 - $750 |
1942-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar
Even though "only" 10,973,800 1942-D Walking Liberty half dollars were struck, compared to the 47.8 million 1942s, it is only slightly more valuable than the Philadelphia coin until you hit the very highest Mint State grades. It features strong strikes with a bright luster on many coins.
1942-D Denver Mint
Mintage
| Grade | Value Range |
|---|---|
| G-4 | $13 - $15 |
| VG-8 | $14 - $16 |
| F-12 | $15 - $18 |
| VF-20 | $16 - $20 |
| EF-40 | $19 - $26 |
| AU-50 | $24 - $32 |
| MS-60 | $38 - $50 |
| MS-63 | $50 - $70 |
| MS-65 | $95 - $160 |
| MS-67 | $650 - $1,100 |
1942-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar
The 1942-S Walking Liberty half dollar usually has a weak, mushy strike. The rare examples with a strong strike go for a premium. Despite the weak strikes, the 1942-S can often be found with complete or nearly complete luster.
1942-S San Francisco Mint
Mintage
Strike Quality Note
The 1942-S typically exhibits weak, mushy strikes that affect the coin's appeal and value. Well-struck examples command significant premiums over typical specimens.
| Grade | Value Range |
|---|---|
| G-4 | $13 - $15 |
| VG-8 | $14 - $16 |
| F-12 | $15 - $18 |
| VF-20 | $16 - $21 |
| EF-40 | $20 - $28 |
| AU-50 | $26 - $35 |
| MS-60 | $42 - $55 |
| MS-63 | $55 - $80 |
| MS-65 | $140 - $220 |
| MS-67 | $1,800 - $2,800 |
1942 Proof Walking Liberty Half Dollars
The 1942 proof Walking Liberty half dollar would be the last proof half dollar until the 1950 proof Franklin half. A mintage of 21,120 coins makes the 1942 the highest Walking Liberty proof mintage. Since proof coinage was suspended due to WWII, collectors snapped as many as they could and kept them safe.
1942 Proof Walking Liberty
Proof Mintage
As a result of wartime suspension of proof coinage, the surviving population of 1942 proof Walking Liberty half dollars includes a relatively substantial number grading PR-68 in proportion to its total mintage.
| Grade | Value Range |
|---|---|
| PR-60 | $150 - $200 |
| PR-63 | $200 - $300 |
| PR-65 | $350 - $500 |
| PR-67 | $750 - $1,200 |
| PR-68 | $2,000 - $4,000 |
| PR-69 | $8,000 - $15,000 |
Finest Known Examples & Auction Records
This section highlights the finest-known examples of each 1942 Walking Liberty half dollar type and their remarkable auction prices. These records represent the pinnacle of the series and demonstrate the potential value of exceptional examples.
1942-P Philadelphia Record
Finest Known: MS-68+ (1, PCGS); MS-68 (13, NGC)
1942-D Denver Record
Finest Known: MS-68 (10, PCGS); MS-68 (9, NGC)
1942-S San Francisco Record
Finest Known: MS-67+ (3, PCGS); MS-67 (29, NGC)
1942 Proof Record
Finest Known: PR-69 (1, PCGS); PF-69 (8, NGC)
Auction Record Context
These auction records may not reflect the highest prices ever paid, since person-to-person private sales are not recorded. The numbers in the PCGS and NGC entries represent the total number of coins at that grade certified by each service.
Varieties and Error Coins
Variety coins are coins that have had something happen to the die before the coin is struck, while error coins result from mechanical malfunctions during the striking process. The 1942 Walking Liberty series offers several interesting examples of both types.
Varieties vs. Errors
Variety coins result from mistakes on the coin die, with hundreds or thousands of coins potentially showing the same defect before it's noticed. Error coins result from individual mechanical malfunctions of the coin press or defects in the coin blank itself.
1942 Varieties
- Multiple minor 1942 and 1942-S D/D repunched mint marks
- 1942 and 1942-S Doubled Die Obverses (DDO)
- Various minor die varieties throughout the year
Major Variety: 1942 DDR
The 1942 Doubled Die Reverse (DDR) is the one major error coin in the 1942 Walking Liberty series, showing clear doubling on the reverse design elements.
Common Error Types
- Off-center strikes: Coins struck when the planchet is not properly positioned
- Double strikes: Coins struck twice, often with the second strike offset
- Clipped planchets: Missing portions of the coin from improperly cut blanks
- Die cracks and breaks: Linear marks or missing areas from damaged dies
- Lamination errors: Metal separating in thin layers
Error Value Note
Most common error types found in 1942 Walking Liberty half dollars do not command significantly higher prices than problem-free examples, unless the error is particularly dramatic or well-preserved.
Investment Perspective
For investors interested in precious metals, Walking Liberty half dollars offer both numismatic potential and silver content value. When purchasing silver for investment purposes, these historic coins provide a tangible connection to American history while benefiting from silver's intrinsic value. Many collectors and investors also diversify their portfolios with both silver and gold holdings to balance their precious metals exposure.