Completing our series on junk silver pieces that carry a numismatic value, these half dollars can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars. It may be worth it to check the dates and mint marks in your collection!
- Barber Half Dollars pre-1900– The Barber Half Dollar was first minted in 1892. Even in poor condition, these coins are worth more than melt, with high-quality coins worth considerably more. Look for a mint mark on the reverse, under the eagle’s tail. Those minted at the Philadelphia mint will have no mint mark; others will have a “D,” “S” or “O.”
- Barber Half Dollar 1914– 124,000 of these coins were produced. This coin is without a mint mark, and the starting value would be more than $180.
- Barber Half Dollar 1915– This Barber Half Dollar minted in Philadelphia has no mint mark. Its starting value is $150 in poor condition.
- Walking Liberty Half Dollar 1916– Even in poor condition, a 1916 Walking Liberty Half Dollar without a mint mark is valued around $50. 608,000 coins were produced at this mint in 1916, and Walking Liberty is very popular among collectors.
- Walking Liberty Half Dollar 1917 with obverse mint mark– Some of the coins minted in 1917 have the mint mark engraved on the reverse, but those with the mint mark on the obverse are more valuable. Look for it under “In God We Trust.”
- Walking Liberty Half Dollar 1919-These are the rarest Walking Liberties produced, with a starting value at about $25 in poor condition. In a perfect example of a professionally graded coin with a “D” mint mark, your coin could be worth several thousand dollars.
- Walking Liberty Half Dollar 1921– In poor condition, this coin has an estimated value of $200; a coin in ideal condition could fetch nearly $9,000. Coins minted at all three of the mints are valued with collectors. Look for a mint mark on the reverse.
- Walking Liberty Half Dollar 1938D– Only 491,000 Walking Liberty Half Dollars were minted in Denver in 1938. In poor condition, this coin is worth at least $100; in good or great condition, it could be worth up to $700. Look for the mint mark on the reverse, below the branch held in the eagle’s talons.
- Franklin Half Dollar 1948 or 1948D– The Franklin Half Dollars produced at the Philadelphia mint have no mint mark; check above the Liberty Bell to be sure. A poor-condition 1948 Franklin is worth at least $10; one in “perfect” condition could be worth up to $100, more if it is from the Denver mint.
- Franklin Half Dollar Dollar 1949-This was the first year the Franklin Half Dollar was produced in three mints in the country. A good-condition coin can be valued at up to $125.
- Franklin Dollar 1955-In 1955, only 2.5 million Franklin Half Dollars were minted (compared to 40 million in the year prior!). That gives the 1955 Franklin an added value for collectors. There is no mint mark on this coin.
- Kennedy Half Dollar 1964 and 1964D– In 1964, the Kennedy Half Dollar was minted in 90% silver; later years were minted in 40% silver. The coin was minted after JFK’s assassination, and the early versions had a different hair style from later versions; the hair was changed by first lady Jackie Kennedy’s request. These coins are worth between $10 and $20.
The value of your junk silver finds will depend on factors such as the condition and overall look. The condition generally varies from “uncirculated” (showing no wear at all), from “Extremely Fine,” “Fine,” and all the way down to “Good.” A coin in good condition has seen heavy wear, resulting in a worn look, with smooth features and a worn rim. A coin in worse condition than good will be hard to identify and not carry the same value.
Keeping watch for some of these valuable junk silver coins is the first step to a bigger investment stack!
What junk silver have you found in the wild? What advice would you recommend to someone just getting started?
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