SILVER COIN FIELD GUIDE
Walking Liberty Half
The 1921 issues are the key group. Check early San Francisco coins and the later 1938-D too.
The metal baseline
- Profile covers
- 1916–1947
- Composition
- 90% silver
- Standard gross weight
- 12.5 g
- Fine silver per coin
- 0.36169 troy oz
- Face value
- $0.50
Check both sides of a 1917 half
The 1917 issues include a change in mintmark placement. Record whether the mintmark is on the front or back before choosing comparable sales.
Walking Liberty also appears on the American Silver Eagle. The shared design does not mean shared denomination or silver content: identify the half dollar before selecting this calculator profile.
Where to look. 1916 and early 1917 mintmarks are on the front, below IN GOD WE TRUST. Later 1917–1947 mintmarks are on the reverse, above and left of HALF.
Dates and details worth a second look
This is a selected watch list, not every key date or variety in the series. Finding a matching date is a reason to inspect further—not proof of authenticity, grade, or a particular value.
What do these collector labels mean?
Key date. An important scarce issue in this series; grade and authenticity still matter.
Better date. A date or issue that merits its own comparison, not an automatic high-value finding.
- Key date
1921 · 1921-D · 1921-S
The key date group. 1921-S becomes especially scarce in better grades.
Check the attribution reference ↗ - Better date
1916-S
A scarce early issue; check the front for its mintmark.
Check the attribution reference ↗ - Better date
1938-D
A later semi-key rather than an ordinary common-date half.
Check the attribution reference ↗
Two questions, not one price
What is the contained metal worth? This profile uses 0.36169 fine troy ounces of silver per coin. Multiply that by the number of matching coins and a current per-troy-ounce silver quote. The calculator shows the quote and its freshness when available.
What might a collector pay for this coin? That takes the exact issue, condition, surfaces, finish, and any authenticated variety. The checkpoints above explain why a collector sale may differ from the metal estimate. A calculated melt value is neither a guaranteed buying offer nor a complete appraisal.
The listed weights are standard reference specifications, with rounded published fine-metal values. They do not measure wear, damage, missing metal, or authenticity in your individual coin. Gross grams include the alloy; fine troy ounces describe the precious metal itself.
Use this profile in the calculator →Build a useful comparison
- Record the full date, mintmark, denomination, and finish. Photograph both sides and any diagnostic detail.
- Use the specific references above to check a suspected variety. Do not clean the coin to make a feature easier to see.
- Compare completed sales for the same issue and similar condition. Separate proof, special-strike, and attributed examples from ordinary coins.
- Record shipping and other costs separately. An asking price or one exceptional auction result is not a typical sold price.
References and further checking
Use these references to inspect the issue and attribution in more detail. Prices, populations, and market premiums can change.
- PCGS: the mintmark moved ↗
- 1921 · 1921-D · 1921-S — reference ↗
- 1916-S — reference ↗
- NGC silver melt-value reference ↗
Educational reference only; not individualized appraisal or investment advice. For a potentially valuable or questionable example, use a qualified numismatist or established authentication service.