1917 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Value: Guide for Beginners

The 1917 Walking Liberty Half Dollar is worth anywhere from $15 in worn condition to over $15,000 for rare mint-state specimens. This stunning silver coin is a favorite among collectors, and finding one in your attic or a jar of old change could mean you are holding a significant piece of American history.

Condition	1917 (No Mint Mark)	1917-D (Denver)	1917-S (San Francisco)
Good (G4)	$15 – $18	$18 – $22	$20 – $25
Fine (F12)	$25 – $30	$35 – $60	$40 – $70
About Uncirculated (AU50)	$85 – $110	$230 – $450	$250 – $500
Uncirculated (MS63)	$200 – $350	$850 – $1,500	$1,100 – $2,200

History and Significance of the 1917 Half Dollar

The 1917 Walking Liberty Half Dollar was designed by Adolph A. Weinman and is widely considered one of the most beautiful coins ever minted by the United States. During the early 20th century, the U.S. Mint transitioned toward more artistic designs, moving away from the more utilitarian Barber series. The 1917 issue was only the second year of this iconic series, making it a “type” coin that many casual collectors find intriguing.

If you have stumbled upon one of these coins, using a top coin identifier app can help you quickly determine its origin. In 1917, the world was embroiled in Great War, and the symbols on this coin—Lady Liberty draped in the American flag, walking toward the sunrise—were intended to project national strength and hope. Because these were made of 90% silver, many were melted down or heavily used in daily commerce, leaving survivors in high grade very scarce.

Understanding the historical context helps explain why CoinKnow users often search for this specific year. It represents a bridge between the old world and the modern era of American numismatics. You aren’t just holding fifty cents; you are holding a silver relic from the era of Woodrow Wilson and the First World War.

Determining the 1917 Mint Mark Variety

To accurately value your 1917 Walking Liberty Half Dollar, you must first identify where it was made. The Philadelphia mint (no mint mark), the Denver mint (“D”), and the San Francisco mint (“S”) all produced half dollars this year. However, 1917 is a unique year because the mint mark location actually changed mid-production.

Earlier in the year, the mint mark was placed on the “obverse” (front) of the coin, just below the motto “In God We Trust.” Later in 1917, officials decided it looked cluttered and moved the mark to the “reverse” (back) of the coin, near the bottom left rim. This creates two distinct varieties for Denver and San Francisco coins: Obverse Mint Mark (Obv) and Reverse Mint Mark (Rev).

Variety	Scarcity	Key Identifying Feature
1917-D Obverse	High	“D” under “In God We Trust”
1917-D Reverse	Medium	“D” on the back, bottom left
1917-S Obverse	Very High	“S” under “In God We Trust”
1917-S Reverse	Medium	“S” on the back, bottom left

Condition and Grading: Why It Matters

For the casual enthusiast, “condition” might just mean the coin is shiny or dirty. In the world of coin collecting, however, condition (or “grade”) is the single most important factor in determining the 1917 half dollar value. A coin with all the fine details of Liberty’s gown and the eagle’s feathers intact is worth hundreds of times more than a “flat” or worn specimen.

Most 1917 halves found in pocket change or old boxes are in “Good” or “Very Good” condition. This means Liberty is just an outline, and the feathers on the eagle are mostly worn away. If your coin has a distinct rim and you can still see the lines in Liberty’s dress, you may have a “Fine” or “Very Fine” coin. To get an expert opinion, you can upload a photo to the CoinKnow app for a preliminary assessment before sending it to a professional grading service.

Collectors are especially hungry for “Mint State” coins, which are coins that never entered circulation. These coins retain their original luster—a frosty sheen that dances when you rotate the coin under a light. Even the smallest scratch can drop the value by hundreds of dollars, so handle your coins only by the edges!

Detailed Price Guide for 1917 Varieties

As mentioned, the Obverse mint marks are generally the most valuable. For example, a 1917-S with the mint mark on the front is a legendary “key date” in the series. In higher grades, these can fetch thousands of dollars because so few were saved by collectors at the time of their release.

While most people look at the 1917 Walking Liberty Half Dollar mint state prices to dream of a big payday, the “average” collector should expect more modest returns for circulated coins. However, because of the high silver content (0.3617 oz of pure silver), these coins will always have a “floor” value based on the current price of silver, even if they are completely worn smooth.

Date & Mint Mark	VG-10 (Very Good)	VF-20 (Very Fine)	EF-40 (Extremely Fine)
1917 Philadelphia	$22	$38	$65
1917-D Obverse	$45	$160	$350
1917-D Reverse	$25	$65	$175
1917-S Obverse	$55	$275	$750
1917-S Reverse	$28	$80	$200

Identifying Rare 1917 Errors and Varieties

Beyond the standard mint marks, collectors also look for errors that can significantly increase the 1917 Walking Liberty Half Dollar worth. Errors occur during the minting process and result in unique features that weren’t intended by the designer. While the 1917 series doesn’t have as many famous “doubled dies” as the Lincoln Penny, there are still things to watch for.

Check the edges of your coin for an unusually thick rim or “off-center” strikes where a portion of the design is missing. Also, look for “die cracks”—fine raised lines that look like lightning bolts on the surface of the coin. These occur when the steel stamp used to strike the coin begins to break.

Using an app like CoinKnow can be a lifesaver here. It allows you to zoom in on high-resolution images to compare your coin with known error varieties. Even a small “lamination” error, where a piece of the coin’s silver surface peels back, can add a $20 to $50 premium to the value for the right buyer.

How to Sell and Protect Your Silver Half Dollar

If you discover that your 1917 half dollar is one of the more valuable varieties, you need to take immediate steps to protect it. Never clean your coins! This is the most common mistake beginners make. Scrubbing a coin with silver polish or even soap and water creates microscopic scratches that can destroy up to 90% of its numismatic value.

Store your coin in a PVC-free plastic flip or a cardboard “2×2” holder. This prevents the silver from reacting with the air and developing “toning” (though some natural rainbow-colored toning can actually increase value). When you are ready to sell, avoid pawn shops or “we buy gold” kiosks, as they often pay only the “melt” value of the silver.

Instead, look for reputable coin dealers or auction houses. For coins valued over $200, it is often worth paying for professional grading from NGC or PCGS. A certified grade provides a guarantee of authenticity and quality, making it much easier to sell your 1917 Walking Liberty Half Dollar at a fair market price.

FAQ

Q: Is my 1917 half dollar made of real silver?

A: Yes, all Walking Liberty Half Dollars minted from 1916 to 1947 consist of 90% silver and 10% copper. Each coin contains approximately 0.3617 troy ounces of pure silver.

Q: Where is the mint mark on a 1917 Walking Liberty?

A: It depends on the variety! In 1917, the mint mark was either on the obverse (front) below “In God We Trust” or on the reverse (back) at the 8 o’clock position near the rim. If there is no letter, it was minted in Philadelphia.

Q: Why is the 1917-S Obverse so much more expensive?

A: The 1917-S Obverse is considered a “semi-key date.” Fewer of these were struck with the mint mark on the front compared to the later reverse-mark version, and even fewer have survived in high-grade condition, making them a prize for serious collectors.

Q: Should I get my 1917 half dollar graded?

A: If you believe your coin is in “Uncirculated” condition or it is a rare 1917-S Obverse in “Fine” or better condition, professional grading is recommended to maximize its resale value. For heavily worn common dates, the grading fee might cost more than the coin is worth.