The 1941 Liberty Half Dollar is one of the most appealing and widely circulated silver coins in America. It features a walking Miss Liberty, hence dubbed the ‘Liberty’ Half Dollar. Famous sculptor Adolph A. Weinman designed the Half Dollar.
The 1941 Half-dollar is worth $9 in average condition and up to $60 or more in certified mint state. It is 90% silver and 10% copper and weighs a record 12.50 grams.
We have a detailed review of the walking Liberty Half Dollar, features, and history of design. You’ll also learn how to grade your coin from the experts.
About the 1941 Walking Liberty Half Dollar
It is a silver half-dollar coin issued by the US mints as part of the drive to beautify American coinages. Designed by famous sculptor Adolph Weinman, the coin features a walking Miss Liberty and an American bald eagle. As the name suggests, the 1941 Half Dollar is worth half a dollar at face value.
1941 Half Dollar Summary
- Name of Coin: 1941 Walking Liberty Half Dollar
- Series of coins: 1941, 1941 D, 1941 S, Proofs
- Portrait: Walking Lady Liberty
- Main Reverse Feature: American eagle
- Denomination: $0.50
- Pawnshop Value: $9-$100+
- Metal Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
- Diameter: 30.63 mm
- Mass / Weight: 12.50 grams
- Mint: Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco
- Designer: Adolph A. Weinman
- Mintage Number: 43,538,400
History
Although the 1941 Half Dollar began official circulation in 1941, its history dates back to 1915, when a design for the coins started. As required by the law, the US Mints had to replace all coins that had been in circulation for 25 years. These constituted quarter dollars, half dollars, and the US dimes. The mint director, Robert Woolley, asked the Commission of Fine Arts to review the designs produced by the engravers at the main mint. He further asked the commission to consider hiring private sculptors if they disliked the mint’s designs.
Unfortunately, the commission of fine arts did not like the sketches produced by the Mint engravers. Through the US Commission of Fine Arts, Woolley opened the competition for sculptors to redesign the half dollar and the dime. Therefore, they selected three sculptors Adolph Weinman, Hermon Mac Neil, and Polasek Albin, to submit some designs for the proposed coin.
Two months later, the three sculptors met Woolley and presented their work for evaluation. On February 28, 1916, the US Mint approved five sketches of Adolph Weinman’s work to design the half dollar, dime, and quarter dollar reverse. In addition, they hired Mac Neil to design both sides of the quarter dollar.
On March 3, 1916, the US Mints publicly announced the introduction of the three coins designed by Adolph Weinman and Mac Neil. However, the ambitious design by Adolph Weinman encountered several problems that led to frequent alterations. The coin had an uneven finish, lacked uniformity, and did not conform to the vending machines. The Franklin Half Dollar replaced the walking Liberty in 1948.
Mintage
The main reason for the introduction of the Half Dollar was to beautify American coinages. First, the Barber Coinages used since 1892 lacked artistic appeal and merit. Additionally, they had similar designs that attracted massive dissatisfaction from the public.
Successive presidential regimes focused on redesigning the coinages, including President Theodore Roosevelt. Secondly, the Congress Act required the mints to change the coinage design after 25 years of use. So, with a design concern and a congress act, it was time to create a new Half Dollar.
The US Mints struck 43,538,400 Liberty Half Dollars in 1941. All the three US mints struck the coin, namely; Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Denver. The main mint at Philadelphia struck the highest at 24,192,000, while Denver struck 11,248,400. San Francisco had the least number of Half Dollar coins with only 8,098,000.
1941 Half Dollar Features
The 1941 Half Dollar is one of the top three most beautiful coins ever struck by the US Mints. It bears subtle features that make it a famous artifact for collectors. Below is a YouTube video showing the features of the coin:
Obverse
The obverse features a full image of Miss Liberty walking in long strides towards the rising sun. She wears a dazzling gown and has a fold of Stars and Stripes flying behind her back. She carries a branch of laurel and oak in her left hand, symbolic of peace enjoyed after military glory. Liberty displays a long outstretched right hand, which is symbolic of peace and freedom.
Above Liberty’s head is an inscription “LIBERTY” running clockwise along the upper rim. A motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” appears at the bottom right margin in block text. The coin’s year of official issue (1941) appears along the bottom margin
Reverse
The reverse features a bald American eagle perching on a branch with long outstretched wings. The eagle occupies the central part of the Half Dollar coin. Above the eagle is an inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” reading clockwise along the upper rim. Three conspicuous dots separate the words forming the phrase. Near the left rim is the motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM” in block letters. Along the lower rim is the coin’s denominational value written in block letters as “HALF DOLLAR”. The coin also features the designer’s initials ‘AAW’below the tail feathers of the eagle
Mottos
Like famous US Coinages, the 1941 Half Dollar features some of the most popular and significant slogans.
- E PLURIBUS UNUM
The slogan originates from a Latin phrase that means ‘out of many, one.’ It is symbolic of the nation’s ability to form a unified state out of multiple states, diverse ethnic backgrounds, and beliefs.
- IN GOD WE TRUST
It is the national motto of the United States of America. The US Congress passed an act allowing the appearance of the national motto on US Coinages. It is symbolic of the fact that the nation’s fortunes depend on their trust in God.
- LIBERTY
Liberty is a mythical American goddess symbolic of freedom, peace, and democracy. She derives her name from the Liberty Statue based in New York City.
Mint marks
The mint mark is a unique identification feature of most American coinages. It denotes the origin of the mint that struck the currency. However, as per the norm, all coins struck by the main mint in Philadelphia do not have a visible mint mark.
The 1941 Half Dollar has two significant mint marks:
- “D” (The Denver mint)
- “S” (From the San Francisco mint)
Metal Content
The 1941 Half Dollar is a composite artifact with high silver content. It contains 90% silver and 10 % copper, hence a popular favorite of silver investors. The 1941 Half Dollar weighs 12.5 grams and has a diameter of 30.6 mm.
1941 Half Dollar Value
1941 Walking Liberty Half Dollar has value as a numismatic coin and as silver bullion. So, if you are a silver investor, be sure to have it on your list of collectibles. Below are the values of the coin at different market rates:
1941 Half Dollar Value Table
| Condition | 1941 | 1941 D | 1941 S | Proof (PR 65) |
| Uncirculated | $28 | $33 | $59 | $676 |
| Extremely Fine | $12.53 | $12.53 | $12.53 | – |
| Fine | $10.35 | $10.35 | $10.35 | – |
| Good | $8.36 | $8.36 | $8.36 | – |
Face Value
The Walking Liberty coin is worth half a dollar at face value. A closer look at the coin’s obverse on the lower rim will enable you to determine its face value.
What’s the 1941 Penny metal value?
The coin is highly rich in silver, hence worth at least its weight in silver content. It comprises 90%silver, an equivalent of 0.3617 oz of silver. The current spot price for silver stands at $23.74 per ounce. Therefore, the coin has a silver melt value of $8.59. According to coin trackers, the melt value depends on the silver spot price, hence likely to change.
Pawnshop Value
Collectors highly interested in a Walking Liberty coin with well-defined features, a silver luster, and an uncirculated mint state. Despite this, the Half dollar is still worth at least $7 in low grade. In fine condition, pawnbrokers will award you $9 for a walking Liberty Half Dollar. Similarly, an extra-fine silver coin retails at $16 and up to $30 for an MS 60 grade.
Any grade above MS 60 is worth premium prices. For instance, an MS 63 certified Liberty Half Dollar sells at $50 and slightly less than $100 in MS 63 mint state. A Liberty half proof, on the other hand, is worth $600 or more. Collectors estimate the standard value of the half dollar at $9 in average condition and $55 in MS+ condition.
1941 Half Dollar Valuation
The 1941 Half Dollar is worth at least $8.36 because of its higher silver value. Despite this, some factors can increase the value of your half a dollar. Below are the factors that determine the value of the 1941 Half Dollar:
Condition
Similar to other coins, the condition is an essential factor in the value of a half-dollar. Collectors are willing to pay a lot of money for a coin with little or no circulation time. Below are the four main grading conditions for a half dollar:
- Uncirculated
An uncirculated coin appears as if it just came from the mint. It retains the shiny silver mint luster and firm details. Besides the minor hairline scratches, it has no visible wear to the surface.
- Extremely Fine
This coin has a slight mint luster, although not like in an uncirculated state. All details are visible, except for slight wear. It has a bit of flattening on Liberty’s head and the upper folds of her gown. In addition, the branch on her hands still retains a clear separation.
- Very Fine
An old half dollar in this state has a large flat area around Liberty. Due to wear, most subtle elements merge into flat portions, including where Liberty holds the branch.
- Good
The lowest grading condition for the half dollar has heavy wear and overall flatness. Near the date, the coin’s rims connect to the figures, partially obscuring the date. If you have a half dollar in this grade, it is only worth its melt value.
Mint Location
The mint that struck the 1941 Half Dollar can raise its value by a small premium price. Due to a high mintage in 1941, Philadelphia and Denver halves have a relatively low comparative value. On the other hand, San Francisco halves are less circulated, hence worth a few premium prices above the other coin series.
Mint Error
A 1941 Half Dollar with mint error appears different from others of the same quality, type, and variety. Although not common, some error coins still exist in the 1941 Half Dollar series. Collectors can pay thousands of dollars for a Liberty half error.
Some error coins worth high prices include;
- 1941 D Walking Liberty Half Dollar Obverse copper
- Missing initials of the Adolph Weinman
- 1941 Walking Liberty Half mated pair
FAQ
1. Where is the half’s mintmark?
The 1941 Half dollar has a mint mark on the reverse side, at the lower left portion near the margin.
2. Are the 1941 Half Dollar proofs abundant in supply?
The US mints only struck 15,412 proofs in 1941. They are rare, uncirculated, and worth high prices.
3. Is my half dollar coin uncirculated?
An uncirculated half dollar has shiny mint luster on high points and across all edges. If you rotate your coin slowly under a source of light, it should display an unbroken, shiny gloss.
Verdict: Is the 1941 Half Dollar Worth Money?
The 1941 Walking Liberty Half Dollar is one of the most spectacular coinages in America. It features a walking Miss Liberty and an American eagle. Despite a half dollar face value, the coin is worth $50+ in MS 63 certified mint state. A Liberty half-dollar in pristine condition and unique mint error can guarantee even higher prices. If you have a 1941 Liberty Half Dollar, contact us for numismatic advice. We also answer your questions on coin grading.
