How Much is a 1945 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Worth? The Walking Liberty half dollar is a 50 cent piece also known as a half dollar coin. It was designed by Adolph A Weinman and was issued from 1916 to 1947. It is worth $13-$44 or more depending on the condition of the coin.
With such a dramatic design on this coin, showing a full resplendent display of Lady Liberty in front and a big and bold bald eagle at the back, these half dollars can hardly go unnoticed. If this beautiful half dollar is still collectible is not really a question as collectors really love it and it is valuable, especially in its uncirculated condition that has not lost its luster.
If you’d like to know more about the worth of your 1945 silver half dollars, keep reading the article to get more info.
1945 Walking Liberty Half Dollars – History
Since the 25-year time frame before which any coin design could be changed had elapsed, in 1915 Robert W Woolley, the new Mint Director initiated the replacement of some coin designs.
| 1945 Walking Liberty Half | |
| Location | Minted |
| Philadelphia | 31,502,000 |
| Denver | 9,966,800 |
| San Francisco | 10,156,000 |
| Total | 51,624,800 |
He made the Commission of Fine Arts conduct a competition and from there Weinman was selected to design the dime and half dollar.
Weinman’s design for the half dollar, though very beautiful, was very intricate and complex and never struck very well. The San Francisco mint struggled the most with this, many of the pieces from this mint are visibly weak. The difficulty in production may be the reason for its replacement by the Franklin dollar in 1948.
| 1945 Walking Liberty Half | |
| Metal Composition | 90% Silver – 10% Copper |
| Mass/Weight | 12.50 grams |
| Diameter | 30.60 mm |
| Thickness | 1.95 mm |
| Mint Marks | “D” “S” |
| Silver | 0.36169 troy oz |
| Edge | Plain |
| Designer | Adolph A Weinman |
When deliberations for the new half dollar started, the sketches from the mint were not approved as the Commission disliked them. Adolph Weinman was one of the Sculptors selected to submit proposals for the new coins. They had the liberty to submit more than one, in the end, five of Weinman’s designs were selected and the Walking Liberty Half Dollar was one of them.
Initially, mint marks for the coin were placed on the Obverse but it was moved to the reverse in 1917. Though the production of the coin (Walking Liberty) stopped in 1947, in 1986 it was brought back as the Obverse design for the American Silver Eagle. A lot of the details had to be strengthened and modified so that the design would strike better.
1945 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Design
Obverse
It is as the name implies, this side of the coin depicts Lady Liberty walking towards the sun on the Eastern horizon, with her right hand stretched out while her left is holding some branches of Laurel and oak symbolizing civil and military glory.
The American flag draped over her shoulders seems to be swaying with the wind as she walks majestically. Liberty’s gown appears comfortable as it allows her room to take big steps towards a new dawn.
The word “LIBERTY” is well spread at the top across the coin in a semicircle. “IN GOD WE TRUST’‘ is inscribed on the right of the coin and 1945 beneath her. Numismatic historians have pointed out the striking resemblance between Weinman’s design and Oscar Roty’s design for French coins. Elsie Stevens Weinman’s tenant is believed to be the model for this design.
Reverse
The reverse side of the coin displays the bald eagle rising from a mountain top. The power and domination this rising eagle exudes are enchanting, Weinman surely did brilliant work here. Also notable is the pine sapling protruding from on top of the mountain. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” is inscribed at the periphery of the coin right above the bald eagle. “HALF DOLLAR” is positioned beneath the eagle. “E PLURIBUS UNUM” is engraved on the left side of the coin.
1945 Half Dollar Value & Types
The 1945 half dollar was produced in three Mints each having its value.
- Philadelphia (no mint marks)
- Denver (D mint mark)
- San Francisco (S mint mark)
The mint mark of this silver half dollar is positioned at the left bottom of the reverse side, almost hidden at the corner by the mountain and sapling. Only Denver and San Francisco coins have mint marks, you would not find any mint marks on the half dollars struck in the Philadelphia mint
| 1945 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Value By Greysheet | |||
| Year | MS 60 | MS 65 | MS 68 |
| 1945 P | $45.00 | $12,500.00 | $67,500 |
| 1945 D | $45.00 | $5,000.00 | $42,500 |
| 1945 S | $45.00 | $62,500.00 | – |
1945 P Half Dollar Value
| Group | Half Dollars |
| Mintage | 31,502,000 |
| Minted At | Philadelphia |
| Mint Mark | No mint mark |
The 1945 Walking Liberty Half Dollar has an estimated value of $16 in average condition and can be worth $38 to $54 or more in uncirculated (MS+) mint condition. This coin is over 50 years old, getting your hands on a flawless coin is very hard, hence it is considered a rarity by most collectors. However, some coins in pristine condition have made their way to auctions and have been sold for high prices.
Below are some examples of 1945 P Half Dollar coins sold at auction;
- 1945 50C MS67+ PCGSSold on Nov 1, 2013, for: $8,225.00 Three PCGS and NGC MS67+ pieces have been certified to date, but none finer (9/13). A sliver of reddish-gold toning clings to the rims, becoming slightly more extensive around the upper-left obverse border. Rich frosty luster reaches out to the observer and complements the sharply struck design features.
- 1945 50C MS67+ PCGS Sold on Feb 21, 2020, for:$5,760.00 This Walking Liberty half dollar is a superb gem in Superb Gem condition, but none have been graded MS68 at PCGS or NGC combined. This specimen ranks among the finest certified by the Plus designation.
| 1945 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Value by USA Coin Book | |
| Grade | Price |
| Good | $14.00 |
| Very Good | $16.00 |
| Fine | $17.00 |
| Very Fine | $19.00 |
| Extremely Fine | $19.00 |
| About Uncirculated (AU 50) | $22.00 |
| Uncirculated MS (60) | $38.00 |
| Brilliant Uncirculated MS (63) | $54.00 |
| Melt Value | $7.7439.00 |
| 1945 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Value By PCGS | |
| Grade | Price |
| Good | $17.00 |
| Very Good | $18.00 |
| Fine | $19.00 |
| VF 20 | $20.00 |
| VF 25 | $20.00 |
| VF 30 | $22.00 |
| VF 35 | $22.00 |
| EF 40 | $23.00 |
| EF 45 | $24.00 |
| EF 45+ | $25.00 |
| AU 50 | $26.00 |
| AU 50+ | $27.00 |
| AU 53 | $28.00 |
| AU 53+ | $30.00 |
| AU 55 | $32.00 |
| AU 55+ | $35.00 |
| AU 58 | $37.00 |
| AU 58+ | $40.00 |
| MS 60 | $45.00 |
| MS 61 | $50.00 |
| MS 62 | $55.00 |
| MS 62+ | $60.00 |
| MS 63 | $65.00 |
| MS 63+ | $85.00 |
| MS 64 | $100.00 |
| MS 64+ | $125.00 |
| MS 65 | $150.00 |
| MS 65+ | $175.00 |
| MS 66 | $200.00 |
| MS 66+ | $300.00 |
| MS 67 | $1,000.00 |
| MS 67+ | $12,500.00 |
| MS 68 | $67,500.00 |
1945 D Walking Liberty Value & Chart
| Group | Half Dollars |
| Mintage | 9,966,800 |
| Minted At | Denver |
| Mint Mark | No mint mark |
The 1945-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar is another variation of the famous 1945 Liberty Dollar. In average condition, it can be worth $16 in average condition and can be worth $38 to $69 or more in uncirculated (MS+) mint condition.
Some coins have sold for significantly high amounts in auctions. Below are a couple of 1945 Half Dollar coins (D-variation) that were sold.
- 1945-D 50C MS68 NGC Sold on Nov 1, 2013 for: $8,812.50the high mintage of 10 million pieces helps assure the availability of the 1945-D half dollar through the Premium Gem level of preservation. Two NGC MS68 coins, including the present specimen, are the finest certified (9/13).
- 1945-D 50C MS68 NGC Sold on Sep 27, 2007 for:$7,762.50This example is a fine example of the issue certified at either service and as such destined to be keenly interesting to both collectors and experts. Even with light golden toning on each side, strong underlying mint luster is apparent. Sharply struck with immaculate fields and only inconsequential contact on the devices.
| 1945 D Walking Liberty Value By UsaCoinBook | |
| Grade | Price |
| Good | $14.00 |
| Very Good | $16.00 |
| Fine | $17.00 |
| Very Fine | $19.00 |
| Extremely Fine | $19.00 |
| About Uncirculated (AU 50) | $22.00 |
| Uncirculated MS (60) | $38.00 |
| Brilliant Uncirculated MS (63) | $121.00 |
| Melt Value | $7.7511 |
| 1945 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Value By PCGS | |
| Grade | Price |
| Good | $17.00 |
| Very Good | $18.00 |
| Fine | $19.00 |
| Very Fine | $20.00 |
| VF 30 | $22.00 |
| EF 40 | $23.00 |
| EF 45 | $24.00 |
| EF 45+ | $25.00 |
| AU 50 | $26.00 |
| AU 50+ | $27.00 |
| AU 53 | $28.00 |
| AU 53+ | $30.00 |
| AU 55 | $32.00 |
| AU 55+ | $35.00 |
| AU 58 | $37.00 |
| AU 58+ | $40.00 |
| MS 60 | $45.00 |
| MS 61 | $50.00 |
| MS 62 | $55.00 |
| MS 62+ | $60.00 |
| MS 63 | $65.00 |
| MS 63+ | $85.00 |
| MS 64 | $100.00 |
| MS 64+ | $125.00 |
| MS 65 | $150.00 |
| MS 65+ | $175.00 |
| MS 66 | $200.00 |
| MS 66+ | $300.00 |
| MS 67 | $900.00 |
| MS 67+ | $5,000.00 |
| MS 68 | $42,500.00 |
1945 S Walking Liberty Value & Chart
| Group | Half Dollars |
| Mintage | 10,156,000 |
| Minted At | San Francisco |
| Mint Mark | S |
The 1945-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar is one of the most valuable coins in the U.S. Currently, it is valued at $16 in average condition and can be worth $41 to $62 or more in uncirculated (MS+) mint condition.
In good, very good, or fine condition the coin is available and not considered a rarity. In AU 50 to 55 it becomes scarce, in gem condition MS 60-67+ it becomes very difficult to find making the coin a rarity, hence the value increases.
Some people who have been lucky enough to own one either have it locked away for preservation or sold at auctions, below are some examples of the 1945 S walking liberty half dollar sold at auction.
- 1945-S 50C MS67 Sold on Mar 21, 2013 for: $23,500.00This 1945-S Walking Liberty half dollar is one of only eleven submissions in this ultimate grade at PCGS, and there are none finer (2/13). The coin is frosted silver-white with a hint of rose.
- 1945-S 50C MS67 PCGS Sold on Sep 18, 2008 for: $21,850.00The 1945-S is a condition rarity: with a mintage of over 10 million pieces, it is common even in MS66, but it is virtually unobtainable in MS67. This Superb Gem is one of the finest certified, and also has extraordinary eye appeal.
| 1945 S Walking Liberty Value By USA Coin Book | |
| Grade | Price |
| Good | $14.00 |
| Very Good | $16.00 |
| Fine | $17.00 |
| Very Fine | $19.00 |
| Extremely Fine | $19.00 |
| About Uncirculated (AU 50) | $26.00 |
| Uncirculated MS (60) | $41.00 |
| Brilliant Uncirculated MS (63) | $62.00 |
| Melt Value | $7.7511 |
| 1945 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Value By PCGS | |
| Grade | Price |
| VF 30 | $22.00 |
| VF 35 | $22.00 |
| EF 40 | $23.00 |
| EF 45 | $24.00 |
| EF 45+ | $25.00 |
| AU 50 | $26.00 |
| AU 50+ | $27.00 |
| AU 53 | $28.00 |
| AU 53+ | $30.00 |
| AU 55 | $32.00 |
| AU 55+ | $35.00 |
| AU 58 | $37.00 |
| AU 58+ | $40.00 |
| MS 60 | $45.00 |
| MS 61 | $50.00 |
| MS 62 | $55.00 |
| MS 62+ | $60.00 |
| MS 63 | $65.00 |
| MS 63+ | $85.00 |
| MS 64 | $100.00 |
| MS 64+ | $125.00 |
| MS 65 | $150.00 |
| MS 65+ | $175.00 |
| MS 66 | $350.00 |
| MS 66+ | $1000.00 |
| MS 67 | $8000.00 |
| MS 67+ | $62,500.00 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the mint mark of the 1945 silver half dollar?
This mint mark is almost hidden from sight by the mountain and the sapling on the Reverse but if you look closely at the bottom left corner of the coin, you will find a “D” or an “S” If you look closely and there is no mint mark, then you are looking at a Philadelphia mint coin because they are usually produced without which mint marks. Before 1918, it was at the Obverse face of the half dollar
What are the 1945 half dollar error?
Defective Planchet errors, broadstruck errors, lamination errors are the most popular kinds of errors you will find on your 1945 silver coins.
Summary
This Walking Liberty silver half dollar is certainly not rare but in Mint state condition they are rare. The 1945 silver coins have no Proofs but were generously struck especially the Philadelphia mints which had over 31 million mintage.
I will say this is a good coin to collect but you should not expect too much from those in circulated condition. You should also check for variations, errors and mint condition as coins in excellent condition are very valuable coins.
