1945 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Value Guide

What Is the 1945 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Made Of?

Did you know that the Walking Liberty is one of the most fascinating designs of a U.S. coin? This design was used in coinage for 31 years, from 1916 to 1947. Let’s read more about the Walking Liberty Half Dollar value in this article guide, notably the coin’s series in 1945. 

The beautiful Walking Liberty half dollar issued in 1945 has a face value of 50-cent. That year alone, the U.S. Mint produced over 51 million Walking Liberty fifty-cent pieces.

The 1945 Walking Liberty fifty-cent is made of 90% pure silver and 10% copper. It comes in a reeded edge and has the following specifications:

• Mass – 12.50 g
• Diameter – 30.63 mm
• Thickness – 1.8 mm

The inception of this coin began in 1915, when Robert W. Woolley, the new Mint Director, decided to replace coin designs that had been used for 25 years. At that time, the Barber coinages struck in 1892, namely: dimes, quarters, and half dollars, were due for replacement.

So, Woolley instructed the Commission of Fine Arts to conduct a competition for the new coin design. The result announced that Adolph A. Weinman, a well-known sculptor, and engraver, was the competition’s winner. On February 28th, 1915, Weiman’s five sketches were selected. He was commissioned to design the dime, half dollar, and the quarter’s reverse.

photo source: USA Coin Book

The 1945 Walking Liberty half-dollar obverse (face) features a full-length figure of Liberty as she walks toward the dawn of a new day represented by the unfolding of the sun. She is facing left with an outstretched arm on one side (left), while the other carries branches of laurel and oak, symbolizing civil and military glory. Also, in the background, it shows the folds of the Stars and Stripes of the American flag flying to the breeze.

On the same side of the coin, the following inscriptions are also included:

• LIBERTY
• IN GOD WE TRUST
• 1945 – at the feet of Liberty

Meanwhile, the half-dollar’s reverse (tail) side bears an eagle perched high upon a mountain crag. Its wings unfolded with a fearless spirit.  A sapling of mountain pine symbolizes America.

The following inscriptions are also found on the reverse side:

• UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• E PLURIBUS UNUM
• HALF DOLLAR

The Walking Liberty design is a sample of a surface sculptural ensemble. It’s also one of the many favorite coin collections, being large and made of silver. Though Weinman’s half-dollar design successfully went into production, the series had a typical weak strike. This is why in 1948, the coin was replaced by Franklin’s bust on the half dollar.

1945 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Varieties

The three Mints in the U.S., namely: Denver, Philadelphia, and San Francisco, produced the 1945 Walking Liberty Half Dollar pieces. Over 51 million fifty-cent coins were made in that year in these varieties: 1945-D, 1945-P, and 1945-S. Unfortunately, some error coins were also struck during the minting of the 1945 fifty-cent pieces.

Notably, in the 1945 Walking Liberty half-dollar series, you can no longer see the designer’s initials.

Only a few of the 1945 silver fifty cents survived in good condition, making it scarce and being sought-after by coin collectors. You can take a look at the descriptions of each variety of the Walking Liberty below to learn more about the coin:

1945 D Walking Liberty Half Dollar

photo source: PCGS

The 1945 Denver Mint is one of the most excellent coins ever produced. They are just as common as the 1945-P pieces. With a little short 10 million in production, there are still 1945-D show white frosty luster and spectacular Gem grade.

1945 P Walking Liberty Half Dollar

photo source: PCGS

The Philadelphia Mint produced the most 1945 Walking Liberty half-dollar coins, with more than 31 million released into circulation. Though MS67 and MS68 grades are scarce, most of the coins saved in this variety are nice and without strike problems. There are still pieces with Gem condition that exist and are frosty white and sought-after by many coin collectors.

1945 S Walking Liberty Half Dollar Proof

photo source: PCGS

There are a little over 10 million Walking Liberty half dollars produced by the San Francisco Mint in 1945. Compared to the Walking Liberty coins struck in 1940 till 1944, the 1945-S’ strike is stronger, though not as sharp as the ones produced in Denver and Philadelphia mints. Coins in this variety have a slightly glossy luster than D-mint coins.

List Of 1945 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Errors

Out of the 51 million Walking Liberty half-a-dollar coins made in 1945, you could expect that there would be mint-error coins produced. Factors that contribute to the errors are but are not limited to human errors, malfunctioning machines, or equipment deterioration.

The most common mint errors that occurred in the 1945 Walking Liberty series are described below:

Curved clip

Photo source: eBay

The curved clip error is a clipped planchet mint that occurs when the blanking dies overlap the previously punched-out holes. In this example, you can see a curved clip on the “E” at the rim. 

Die error – Cud

Photo source: eBay

The above example of a 1945 Walking Liberty has a cud error over the date on the obverse side. This mint error results from a die break or die crack, and when a dent in the die also causes an unintentional “blob” on the coin surface.

Lamination flaw

Photo Source: eBay

This 1945 Walking Liberty fifty-cent coin has a lamination flaw. This error is a type of planchet defect. It occurs when there are metal impurities or internal stresses. Coins with lamination flaws usually discolor, have an uneven surface, peel, and split.

Apart from the above samples, other mint errors can also occur on any coin during minting. Some common ones are broadstrike errors, die break, doubled die, and more.

How Much Is 1945 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Worth Today?

The 1945 Walking Liberty is made of 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper, so the melt value is precisely calculated based on the value of the silver and copper metals in the market. At the latest valuation, the 1945 half-a-dollar Walker’s total melt value is $8.6369 (combined silver and copper).

The current melt value is just an approximation, so it can still change depending on the market value of each metal when you sell them.

Furthermore, the overall price or value of a 1945 Walking Liberty fifty cents depends on its grade, condition, and where it is minted. You can compare the prices as presented in the table below:

As you can see, the 1945 Liberty half dollar can be very expensive. If you’re not that convinced yet, you surely will when you see the following auction records for each variety:

• $66,000 – a 1945 50C (Regular Strike) coin with a grade of MS68 sold in June 2021 by Stack’s Bowers
• $60,000 – a 1945-S 50C (Regular Strike) coin with a grade of MS67+ sold in June 2021 by Stack’s Bowers
• $40,800 – a 1945-D 50C (Regular Strike) coin with a grade of MS68 sold in June 2021 Stack’s Bowers

How Does The Grading System Work?

The Sheldon Scale is used by numismatists to provide a numerical value to coins. The Sheldon Scale goes from poor (P-1) to perfect mint state (P-1) (MS-70). Coins were originally evaluated using words to reflect their condition (Good, Fair, Excellent, Etc.). Unfortunately, coin collectors and dealers had different ideas about what each of these terms represent.

Professional numismatists joined together in the 1970s and established CoinGrading standards. These numismatists now assign grades at key places on the seventy-point scale, using the most regularly utilized numeric points in conjunction with the original adjective grade. The following are the most common coin grades:

1. 1. • (P-1) Poor – Indistinguishable and probably damaged; if used, must have a date and mintmark; otherwise, rather battered.
      • (FR-2) Fair – Nearly smooth, but without the damage that a coin graded Poor often possesses. The coin must have enough detail to be identified.
      • (G-4) Fair – Inscriptions have merged into the rims in some areas, and important elements have been mostly erased.
      • (VG-8) Very Good- A little weathered, but all of the primary design elements are visible, albeit faintly. There is little if any, central detail left.
      • (F-12) Good – The item is very worn, yet the wear is even, and the overall design details stand out clearly. Rims are almost completely isolated from the field.
      • (VF-20) Very Fine – Moderately weathered, with some finer features still visible. The motto or all letters of LIBERTY are readable. Both sides of the coin have entire rims that are separated from the field.
      • (EF-40) Extremely Fine – Gently used; all gadgets are visible, and the most important ones are bold. The finer details are bold and clear, however, light wear may be seen.
      • (AU-50) Uncirculated – Slight evidence of wear on the coin’s design’s high points; may have contact marks; eye appeal should be adequate.
      • (AU-58) Uncirculated Choice – Slight traces of wear, no severe contact marks, almost full mint shine, and great eye appeal.
      • (MS-60) Mint State Basal – Strictly uncirculated; no indication of wear on the coin’s highest points, but an unsightly coin with reduced luster, visible contact marks, hairlines, and other flaws.
      • (MS-63) Mint State Acceptable – Uncirculated, but with contact scratches and nicks, little reduced shine, but otherwise appealing appearance. The strike is weak to average.
      • (MS-65) Mint State Choice – Uncirculated with great mint shine, very little contact blemishes, and exceptional eye appeal. The strike is unusually severe.
      • (MS-68) Mint State Premium Quality – Uncirculated with superb luster, no obvious contact marks to the naked eye, and exceptional eye appeal. The strike is quick and appealing.
      • (MS-69) Almost Perfect Mint State – Uncirculated with perfect brilliance, a sharp and appealing strike, and extremely good eye appeal. A near-perfect coin with minor imperfections in the planchet, strike, and contact markings (seen only under 8x magnification).
      • (MS-70) Mint State Perfect – Under 8x magnification, there are no tiny imperfections discernible; the strike is crisp, and the coin is perfectly centered on a beautiful planchet. Rarely seen on a coin, this coin is bright and whole, with original luster and exceptional eye appeal.

Where To Buy Or Sell 1945 Walking Liberty Half Dollar?

Ah, not a problem! Buying and selling of coins are usually available online. Sites like eBay, Amazon, and other online stores sell coins. You can also sign up and create an account on these sites to become a coin seller.

As mentioned, sites specializing in coins, like PCGS, NGC, and JM Bullion, can help grade your coins. Usually, the graded 1945 Walking Liberty can be bought or sold at a reasonable price. They can also provide information on where you can purchase or offer your 1945 Walking Liberty half-dollar collections. 

Another option is to visit physical stores. For example, there are pawn shops, coin stores, and auction houses where you can buy or sell your coins.

FAQs

What is the value of a 1945 Walking Liberty Half Dollar?

The 1945 Walking Liberty half dollar has a face value of $0.50.

Where is the mint mark on a 1945 Walking Liberty half dollar?

The 1945 Walking Liberty fifty cents made in Denver and San Francisco have mint marks. “D” is Denver-made coins, while “S” is San Francisco-made pieces. You can see these marks at the lower left side of the reverse between the rim and the mountain rock.

How much is a 1945 Lady Liberty half dollar worth?

A 1945 Walking Liberty Half Dollar in the circulated condition is valued at $11.75-$32.50 because of its large size and silver content. According to NGC’s current price guide, coins in pristine uncirculated condition are worth as much as $4,100.