Do you have a coin that you think is a 1937 half dollar? Or would you wish to buy a 1937 half soon? If so, are you sure of its value in today’s coin market?
Well, it’s time for you to know your coin’s worth. Here, we’ll tell you about the 1937 half dollar value.
This ancient dollar has some specs that make it unique from the other coins. It has a great value, at least when it’s in good condition.
The location of the mint and grading play a vital role in a half dollar’s price. So, if you are ready, we’ll start by describing the 1937 half dollar.
What’s the 1937 Half Dollar?
This half dollar is a coin that falls under the walking liberty family. The US government began minting the coins in the early years of the 20th century. Adolph Alexander Weinman was the designer of these coins.
Though the firms no longer mint them, the coins still sell at high prices. But how can you know that your coin is a 1937 half dollar? Please keep reading to know its specs.
Reasons for having this Half Dollar
Like many other coins, the 1937 half dollar came in to help the nation grow. Also, it was to honor US history and the Walking Liberty.
Robert Woolley brought a change to the money laws in 1915. Woolley urged that the coins should have a change in their looks after every 25 years.
Features of the 1937 Half Dollar
All 1937 half dollars have some similar aspects. It’s easy for anyone to identify these features, especially when the coin is in good condition.
Weight, Color, and Size
Expect your 1937 Walking Liberty half dollar to weigh 12.5 grams. This coin comes from 90% silver and 10% copper.
The half dollar has a silver color on both sides. Also, the coin has a diameter of 30.00 millimeters.
Head
At the center of the coin’s head, there’s the image of the Walking Liberty. There are branches of Liberty’s left arm that fold in her gown.
The coin has sun rays on the bottom left. Expect to see the motto “In God we Trust” on the right.
Also, there’s the legend Liberty on top and 1937 on the bottom. Remember, these details speak a lot about the nation’s culture and history.
Tail
There’s the legend “United States of America Half-Dollar at the back.” The coin has an “E Pluribus Unum” label on the left. Here, the coin also has an eagle.
The Letter Mark
Depending on the place that struck your coin, you’ll see that it has a letter mark “D” or “S” on the coin’s left reverse side. Remember, some have no letter marks.
Mints that Struck the 1937 Half Dollar
In the 20th century, three mints struck the coins. You’ll find these mints in San Francisco, Denver, and Philadelphia. Let’s look at the details about these mints.
The San Francisco Mint
With a letter mark “S,” the firm only struck 2 090 000 coins. When in a good state, expect it to have a lower value than the ones from the Denver mint.
The Denver Mint
The firm made 1 676 000 coins. It’s the lowest among the three mints.
These coins have a letter mark “D.” If you have this coin, expect it to have the highest value.
The Philadelphia Mint
This place made the highest number of the 1937 half-dollar coins. Unlike the other two mints, this mint made coins without letter marks.
So, don’t worry if your 1937 half dollar doesn’t have a letter mark. Also, the mint made over 9.5 million coins. The coins have the lowest value when you compare them to the ones from Denver and San Francisco.
Before the coins from the Philadelphia mint came in, the USA government made 5, 728 1937 Walking Liberty Half Proof coins. In the coin market today, they are the most expensive.
Factors that Influence the Value of the 1937 Half Dollar
After you’ve seen the coin’s mint mark, other factors will determine your coin’s final price. These aspects involve your coin’s average look and condition.
Grading
Collectors grade every coin according to its present state. You can also do the same for your 1937 half. It will help you know your coin’s exact value.
Expect your 1937 Walking Liberty to be good when the edges are fine. Also, the US motto (In God We Trust) should be visible.
Remember, collectors call the coin good because it has passed through many people’s hands. So, expect it to have lost the beauty of its portraits on the surface. These coins have the cheapest price.
Your 1937 half can also fall in the fine grade. Here, your coin will show the age. Also, it will have slight damage to the images and texture.
You’ll see a depth on the Walking Liberty. The branches on the arms are still beautiful.
One of the worst signs of wear on the fine grade is partial smoothing, especially on Liberty’s head. Such coins have quite a higher price than the good ones.
As for the extremely fine coins, their features show that they went through a short time of the trade. Yes, the coin will have scratches. But it won’t be easy to see them.
Many collectors and buyers love such coins. So, you’ll get a lot of dollars when you sell them.
If you have the uncirculated 1937 Walking Liberty halves, expect them to look as good as new. It’s because the coins half gone through a few hands.
Such coins have no signs of wear and tear on their images. When you view it under the light and rotate it slowly, you’ll see the coin’s luster from edge to edge.
When you want this coin, know that collectors treat it as a gem. You’ll buy or sell it at a high-end price.
Errors
Your 1937 half-dollar coin can have some errors, reducing its value. Only a few of the coins have errors.
The coin can have clipped edges, a double and off-center strike, or a die break error. These aspects will reduce your coin’s beauty.
You’ll know that your coin has a double strike when it has a double image or number on the head or tail. Sometimes, the image can be away from the center of the coin.
Cleanliness
Maintaining any coin will decide if the value will reduce or increase. Ensure you keep your 1937 half-dollar coin in a good state whether you plan to sell or keep it.
The half dollar may also rust and lose some features when you don’t store it well. Remember, no collector will buy a dirty coin at a costly price.
Rarity
The coins that the branches in Denver and San Francisco made were less. So, it makes their coins to be much rare today.
When a coin is much rare, it has a higher value. It’s why the 1937 half-dollar coins with the letter mark “D” have the highest value.
Also, it’s not easy to get the uncirculated 1937 half-dollar coins. If you have any of them, then you hold a fortune.
Value of the 1937 Half Dollar
Today collectors value the 1937 half dollar as a silver bullion. So, the price of all 1937 half-dollar coins ranges from $13 to at least $100. All have a face value of 0.50 USD.
The price depends on the type and condition of your coin. It will be easy to know what to pay for the coin or how much you’ll get from the sale through these aspects.
As for the ones from the Philadelphia mint, expect them to sell for at least $13 when in a good state. Your coin will go for at least $25 if it’s uncirculated.
If you have the 1937 half from the San Francisco mint in good condition, it will go for at least $13. When uncirculated, the collectors will buy it for at least $60.
Your 1937-D half dollar will sell for at least 13 USD when in a good state. But if it’s an uncirculated coin, expect to get some huge cash of at least $215.
It will be great for you to have the 1937 half Proof coin. These coins have a bright and mirror-like surface with no mintmark.
When clean, you can sell it for at least $850. Remember, the coins are scarce because the US government made them in small numbers.
So, here’s a chart to show the prices of each 1937 half. These prices are subject to change because of the US economy.
1937 Half Dollar Coin’s Condition |
|||||||
| Date | Good in USD | Fine in USD | Extremely Fine in USD | Uncirculated in USD | |||
| Philadelphia (1937) | 13 | 16 | 18 | At least 40 | |||
| Denver (1937-D) | 13 | 18 | 32 | At least 215 | |||
| San Francisco (1937-S) | 13 | 16 | 25 | At least 165 | |||
| Proof Coins | N/A | N/A | N/A | 839 | |||
Conclusion
It’s never hard to know the value of the 1937 half dollar. So, no collector can sell to or buy the coin from you at the wrong price.
Only three mints struck these coins. The mints are in Denver, San Francisco, and Philadelphia. If your coin has the letter mark “D,” know that it has the highest market value among the three.
The grade is the most critical factor influencing the coins’ value. Other factors like the rarity and errors affect the coin’s value.
So, do you think the 1937 halves’ value will keep rising in the coming years? Please let us know your thoughts.
