The Walking Liberty half dollar collection is well known even among novice numismatists. Three mints produced these silver coins for over 30 years, but some key dates are more valuable than others. If you have one of these pieces, you can sell it for a couple of dollars or earn a fortune in rare cases.
A 1945 half dollar contributes to US coinage history, but it will be a real challenge to find it in the mint state. Considering its mint mark and condition, let’s see what a 1945 half silver dollar value is.
1945 Half Silver Dollar History
Three mints produced Walking Liberty half dollars, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Denver. You can find these coins dated from 1916 to 1947.
On average, 7,466,471 half dollars came out mints every year, but the specific year mintage can vary drastically from this number. For example, the Denver mint produced only 208,000 half dollars in 1921.
On the other hand, 1945 half dollar total mintage reached an impressive 51,624,800. The Philadelphia mint produced 31,502,000, while the other two mints shared the rest of the mintage almost equally.
1945 Half silver dollar |
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| Location | Year | Minted |
| Philadelphia | 1945 | 31,502,000 |
| San Francisco | 1945 S | 10,156,000 |
| Denver | 1945 D | 9,966,800 |
| Total | / | 51,624,800 |
Sculptor Adolf Weinman designed the Walking Liberty fifty-cent coin to replace the previous Barber half dollar. The front side shows the Liberty full figure walking towards the left while holding laurel and oak branches in her left hand.
Liberty wears a long gown, but you can also see the American flag around her shoulder. The bottom left corner shows a rising sun with radiating light rays. The word LIBERTY is above the figure and the inscription IN GOD WE TRUST is below it, along with the date.
1945 Half silver dollar value |
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| Face value | $0.5 (half dollar) |
| Compound | 90% silver with 10% copper |
| Coin weight | 0.40188 troy ounces (12.50 g) |
| Coin diameter | 1.2Â inches (30.60 mm) |
| Coin thickness | 0.07087 inches (1.8 mm) |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Shape | Round |
The reverse side shows an eagle on the rock that raises its wings and a mountain pine sapling below its claws. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is above the eagle head, while the half dollar denomination is at the bottom coin rim.
There is also the traditional motto E PLURIBUS UNUM above the sapling. Finally, the designer’s initials are subtly engraved under the eagle’s right-wing, and the mint mark is under the mountain pine, if there is any.
1945 Half dollar value* |
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| Quality | 1945 | 1945 S | 1945 D |
| Good | $14 | $14 | $14 |
| Very good | $16 | $16 | $16 |
| Fine | $18 | $18 | $18 |
| Very fine | $20 | $20 | $20 |
| Extra fine | $20 | $20 | $20 |
| AU | $22 | $27 | $22 |
| MS 60 | $39 | $42 | $39 |
| MS 65 | $55 | $62 | $70 |
*by USA Coin book
The 1945 half dollar is a round-shaper silver coin with a reeded edge. It contains 90% silver, so it also has a melt value. Keep in mind that it is much lower than the numismatic one since this coin is a vital part of many collections.
1945 Half Silver Dollar Types
As I already mentioned, three mints produced 1945 half dollar, meaning the same-date coins differ by their appearance and value. Although they share the same denomination and design, you can distinguish one from another by the mint mark or lack of it.
1945 Half dollar
The Philadelphia mint produced most of the 1945 half dollars or over 31 and a half million coins. These pieces don’t have the mintmark, unlike those in San Francisco and Denver.
1945 Half dollar value* |
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| Year | Quality | |||
| Good | Fine | Extra fine | Uncirculated | |
| 1945 | $13 | $16 | $18 | $20 |
| 1945 S | $13 | $16 | $18 | $24 |
| 1945 D | $13 | $16 | $18 | $20 |
*by JM Bullion
On average, a well-preserved silver coin costs $15 to $20, but finding a piece in the mint state is a challenging task.
1901 proof Morgan silver dollar value* |
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| Quality | 1945 | 1945 S | 1901 SCAM |
| Good | $8.9 | $8.9 | $7.7 |
| Very Good | $8.9 | $9.3 | $8.9 |
| Fine | $9.8 | $11 | $10 |
| Very Fine | $11 | $12 | $12 |
| Extra Fine | $12 | $17 | $14 |
| Uncirculated | $35 | $90 | $55 |
*by Numista
The record value of one of these coins is $66,000. According to the PCGS, someone gave exactly this amount for the 1945 half dollar in MS 68 grade last June.
1945 S Half dollar
As you know, the lower the mintage, the more your coin is worth. The San Francisco mint produced 10,156,000 of 1945 half dollars, and they are traditionally worth more than those from Denver and Philadelphia. You can recognize these coins thanks to the engraved letter S.
1945 Half dollar value |
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| Year | Quality | |||
| Good | Fine | Extra fine | Uncirculated | |
| 1945 | $8.7 | $10.8 | $13 | $28 |
| 1945 S | $8.7 | $10.8 | $13 | $41 |
| 1945 D | $8.7 | $10.8 | $13 | $33 |
*by CoinStudy
You can see that letter on the coin reverse, located under the tree. Believe it or not, this tiny detail raises the coin value, so the average 1945 S half dollar is worth around $41 in an uncirculated condition.
1945 D Half dollar
The Denver mint produced 9,966,800 half dollars in 1945, thus approaching the production of the San Francisco mint. It marked coins by engraving a D letter under the tree on the coin reverse.
1945 Half dollar value* |
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| Quality | 1945 | 1945 S | 1945 D |
| AU | $20 | $20 | $15 |
| MS 63 | $30 | $40 | $30 |
| MS 64 | $60 | $50 | $50 |
| MS 65 | $90 | $100 | $100 |
| MS 66 | $180 | $276 | $195 |
| MS 67 | $690 | $1840 | $630 |
*by COIN HelpU
Generally, numismatists appreciate D-marked pieces more than unmarked ones and are prepared to pay $100 and $150 for a specimen in the mint state.
1945 Half Silver Dollar Grading
You can find a circulated 1945 half dollar without much hassle, considering the total mintage exceeds 31 million coins. Still, these pieces went through many hands, and the distribution left a mark on them.
1945 Half dollar value* |
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| Quality | 1945 | 1945 S | 1945 D |
| Good | $15.20 | $15.20 | $15.20 |
| Very good | $15.70 | $15.70 | $15.70 |
| Fine | $16.20 | $16.20 | $16.20 |
| Very fine | $16.60 | $16.60 | $16.60 |
| Extra fine | $17.10 | $17.10 | $17.10 |
| AU | $23.75 | $23.75 | $23.75 |
| MS 60 | $33.25 | $33.25 | $33.25 |
| MS 65 | $145 | $165 | $145 |
*By Hobbizine
There is a big difference in fine and mint grade half dollars. Experienced numismatists can judge the condition of coins by how many specific details on them are damaged.
Uncirculated – If you are lucky enough to have an uncirculated 1945 half dollar, chances are it is perfect. This coin was never released in circulation, so its shine and luster are intact.
All details are unchanged, including letters and engraving. Plus, you can feel under your fingers the folds on Liberty’s gown and the branches she holds in her hand.
1945 Half Dollar value* |
||||||
| Coin | Quality | |||||
| Good | Fine | Very fine | Extra fine | AU | Uncirculated | |
| 1945 | $9.3 | $10.5 | $15.5 | $16.5 | $18.5 | $36 |
| 1945 S | $9.3 | $10.5 | $15.5 | $16.5 | $21 | $38.5 |
| 1945 D | $9.3 | $10.5 | $15.5 | $16.5 | $22.5 | $37.5 |
*By SilverageCoins
Extra fine – This silver dollar kept most of its design, but it lost the original luster. You can see smooth areas and scratches on the surface while the stars on the US flag are flat.
However, this coin is mostly in excellent condition with distinct branches, eagle feathers, and the letters on the engravings.
Fine – The 1945 half dollar in fine condition has visible flaws. For instance, Liberty’s dress is flat, as are most letters. Some letters are damaged, but you can still read the engraving. Unfortunately, the rays of sunshine are gone and probably the stars on the flag.
1945 Half Dollar value* |
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| Quality | 1945 | 1945 S | 1945 D |
| Good | $11.8 | $11.8 | $11.8 |
| Very good | $11.8 | $11.8 | $11.8 |
| Fine | $11.8 | $11.8 | $11.8 |
| Very fine | $12 to $13 | $12 to $13 | $12 to $13 |
| Extra fine | $13.7 to $16 | $15 to $25.9 | $14.3 to $17.4 |
| AU | $18.9 to $32.4 | $29.7 to $48.6 | $20.2 to $35 |
| MS 60 | $37.8 to $45.6 | $49.9 to $6 | $37.8 to $45.4 |
| MS 61 | $43.2 to $52 | $53 to $63 | $43.2 to $52 |
| MS 62 | $48.6 to $58 | $59 to $71 | $48.6 to $58 |
| MS 63 | $59 to $71 | $68 to $81 | $59 to $71 |
| MS 64 | $69 to $83 | $81 to $97 | $69 to $83 |
| MS 65 | $92 to $115 | $122 to $140 | $92 to $115 |
| MS 66 | $136 to $176 | $221 to $260 | $136 to $176 |
| MS 67 | $585 to $845 | $$2,810 to $5,940 | $567 to $650 |
| MS 68 | / | / | $18,000 to $24,000 |
*by Greysheet
Good – Although you can see the Liberty figure on a good-graded coin, the details are unrecognizable. That means this coin went through many hands for years and was frequently used. As a result, this half dollar is badly damaged, and you can feel it is smooth and flat under your fingers.
Summary
The 1945 silver half dollar value depends on its condition and grading. Usually, you can buy Walking Liberty half dollars for $15 to $20, but it is hard to find the more expensive piece in the mint state. Such a specimen can bring you up to a few thousand dollars.
