In 1916, the Walking Liberty design made by Adolph Alexander Weinman was chosen as the new half dollar motif to replace the Barber design, which had been in use since 1892. This same year, he also created the design for the Liberty Head or “Mercury” dime.
This article will discuss the features, varieties, and other unique characteristics of one of the Walking Liberty half dollars minted particularly in 1934.
What Is the 1934 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Made Of?
The 1934 Walking Liberty half dollar created by Adolph Alexander Weinman has a face value of $0.50, or fifty cents. It is 12.50 grams in weight and has a reeded edge. It measures 30.00 millimeters in diameter and has a metal composition of 90% Silver and 10% Copper.
Image Source: USA Coin Book
Upon checking the coin’s obverse, we see Lady Liberty walking toward the sun with her right arm extended. Her left arm is holding a bunch of branches. A starry cape is also seen draped behind her.
The word LIBERTY is arching on the coin’s upper edge, and the well-known adage IN GOD WE TRUST is etched behind Lady Liberty toward the lower-right portion. The year of minting 1934 is placed below the Lady Liberty image.
On the reverse, an American bald eagle is perched on a rocky outcrop. The eagle is accompanied by a pine sapling, which is a symbol of authority. The Latin phrase E PLURIBUS UNUM, which translates to “Out of many, one,” is written just above the branches.
The country’s name UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, is placed on the upper rim of the coin, and the coin’s denomination HALF DOLLAR is located below. The “D” or “S” mint mark is placed beneath the pine sapling on Denver and San Francisco coins, respectively. The coins minted in Philadelphia have no mint markings.
1934 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Varieties
Here are the Walking Liberty half dollar varieties minted in 1934:
| Variety | Mint Location | Mintage |
| 1934 D Walking Liberty Half Dollar | Denver | 2,361,400 |
| 1934 S Walking Liberty Half Dollar | San Francisco | 3,652,000 |
| 1934 P Walking Liberty Half Dollar | Philadelphia | 6,964,000 |
| Total | 12,977,400 |
1934 D Walking Liberty Half Dollar
Year of minting: 1934
Mint Mark: D
Place of minting: Denver
Quantity produced: 2,361,400
Face Value: $0.50 (fifty cents)
Price: $14 to $97 (circulated condition)
Edge: Reeded
Designer: Adolph Alexander Weinman
Mass: 2.50 grams
Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Diameter: 30.00 mm
Image Source: PCGS
Starting in 1934, all Walking Liberty half dollars are quite common in low circulated grades and sell for just a tiny premium over their silver bullion value, except for the extremely low mintage 1938-D. The story is quite different in mint condition, and the dates have a wide range of availability.
One of 1934-1947 Walking Liberty half dollars in immaculate state condition is the 1934 D, which is incredibly rare. In Gem condition, it is also highly durable. The 1934 D can have a weakly struck head, and, for some reason, an incompletely struck date is frequently observed.
This contrasts the S-Mints, which frequently exhibit weakness on Ms. Liberty’s hand. Look for a good frosty coin with a well-struck head and date since the luster is of the white frosty variety.
According to the NGC Price Guide (as of February 2023), the 1934 D Walking Liberty half dollar in the circulated condition is worth between $11.50 and $150. But if you have one in pristine and uncirculated condition, you can make as much as $13,000 on the open market.
1934 S Walking Liberty Half Dollar
Year of minting: 1934
Mint Mark: D
Place of minting: San Francisco
Quantity produced: 3,652,000
Face Value: $0.50 (fifty cents)
Price: $14 to $105 (circulated condition)
Edge: Reeded
Designer: Adolph Alexander Weinman
Mass: 2.50 grams
Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Diameter: 30.00 mm
Image Source: PCGS
The last truly rare Walking Liberty half dollar in mint state condition is the 1934 S Walking Liberty. The strike for the 1934-S is not as much of a problem as on some of the later S-Mints, and it is almost as rare as the 1933-S.
In many ways, it is also similar to a pre-1934 early date to a 1930s middle date. Frosty or satin-like luster is both possible. When available, a beautiful 1934-S can make a stunning Walking Liberty half dollar.
The 1934 S Walking Liberty half dollar is difficult to find in the upper grades of Mint State, despite having a mintage that is not particularly low. Gems are extremely rare, and very few coins have good striking. It is considered the key issue in the “long, short set” of 1934–1947.
This particular coin in the circulated condition is worth between $11.50 and $315 as of February 2023 (NGC Price Guide). However, when sold on the open market, a 1934 S Walking Liberty half dollar in pristine and uncirculated condition can be valued as much as $20,000!
1934 P Walking Liberty Half Dollar
Year of minting: 1934
Mint Mark: no mint mark
Place of minting: Philadelphia
Quantity produced: 6,964,000
Face Value: $0.50 (fifty cents)
Price: $14 to $29 (circulated condition)
Edge: Reeded
Designer: Adolph Alexander Weinman
Mass: 2.50 grams
Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Diameter: 30.00 mm
Image Source: PCGS
More coins were kept at the time of issue beginning in 1934. Uncirculated rolls of the 1934 Walking Liberty half dollar are widely accessible; over the years, we have seen many of them. Although the 1934-1939 issues are unquestionably available in mint state condition, the 1930s dates are not as common as those from the 1940s.
Also, note that significantly more Philadelphia issues than Denver and San Francisco mint issues were saved.
The 1934 Philadelphia Walker almost always comes in pristine condition. The typical mint state specimen is exceptionally nicely struck and frequently has a stunning original shine that can be described as thick and creamy. The two easiest issues of the 1930s to find in MS67 or even MS68 condition come from this issue and the 1939 Philadelphia.
As of February 2023, the 1934 Walking Liberty half dollar from Philadelphia, in circulated condition, is worth between $11.50 and $75 (NGC Price Guide). However, in pristine and uncirculated condition, this coin can be sold for as much as $18,250 on the open market.
List Of 1934 Liberty Half Dollar Errors
Planchet Error
Sometimes, foreign objects get into the dies used to make coins. The foreign object then affects the appearance of the coin after production. The example in the image below reveals a depression slightly above the eagle’s head caused by a foreign object being introduced into the coin’s production process.
Image Source: eBay
How Much Is the 1934 Liberty Half Dollar Worth Today?
The NGC Price Guide set the melt value of the 1934 Walking Liberty Half Dollar at $8.51. This coin, however, has a face value of $0.50 (fifty cents or a half dollar).
In comparison, the USA Coin Book estimates the coin’s value if in average condition to be $17. The same source also set coins in uncirculated (MS+) mint condition to be worth $87 to $124 or more for the Philadelphia variant, $172 to $267 or more for the Denver variant, and $374 to $913 or more for the San Francisco variant.
How Does The Grading System Work?
Coin appraisers regularly use a magnifying glass or a coin microscope to assess the worth and condition of the coins. These specialists determine the coin’s value by examining its brightness, strike, color, preservation, attractiveness, and other characteristics.
Contact companies like the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) or the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) if you need advice from professionals in the coin grading sector. Your coin can be officially graded with their assistance, thereby raising its worth.
Image Source: Royal Canadian Mint
These experts also use the Sheldon Scale, a 70-point grading method, and the above tools to categorize coins into the PR (Proof) or MS (Mint State) categories. If a coin has a grade of 60 to 70, it is said to be in MS condition, which denotes that any faults or imperfections on its surface would require a coin microscope to be seen.
Where To Buy Or Sell 1934 Liberty Half Dollar?
You can go online to marketplaces and auction sites to look for a 1934 Walking Liberty half dollar. These sites have sellers who bid on rare coins, and your chances are quite high in finding the coin you’re looking for there. However, you can also consider doing the alternative: looking at coin and antique shops. But know that looking for rare coins could be more difficult if you do it the traditional way.
If you need more technical help, then you should also tap on professional coin grading service providers. The PCGS or the NGC can recommend and suggest how and where you can buy or sell your 1934 Walking Liberty half dollar coins.
FAQs
Where is the mint mark on a 1934 Walking Liberty Half Dollar?
On the reverse side of the coin, the “D” or “S” mint mark can be seen beneath the pine sapling for coins produced in the Denver and San Francisco mints. The 1934 Walking Liberty half dollar coins minted in Philadelphia do not bear any mint marks.
Is the 1934 Walking Liberty Half Dollar worth anything?
The 1934 Walking Liberty Half Dollar has a face value of $0.50 (fifty cents or a half dollar). Its melt value is set at $8.51 by the NGC Price Guide.
What is a 1934 Standing Liberty half dollar worth?
According to the USA Coin Book, the 1934 Walking Liberty half dollar coin’s value, if in average condition, is $17. They also stated that coins in uncirculated (MS+) mint condition from this issue be worth $87 to $124 or more for the Philadelphia variant, $172 to $267 or more for the Denver variant, and $374 to $913 or more for the San Francisco variant.
