Are you a coin collector looking to find out the value of a 1943 half-dollar? This article gives a quick rundown of the coin's worth and offers some helpful pointers for determining its true market value. If you're looking to add this rare coin to your collection, read on to learn more about the 1943 half-dollar value.
The 1943 Half Dollar is a highly sought-after coin for collectors, as it is part of a historical series of coins from the United States Mint. Once you learn about the 1943 Half Dollar value and its history, you can appreciate why it is a popular item among coin collectors. The Walking Liberty Half Dollar series, which started in 1916 and ended in 1947, is especially prized for its coveted designs and rarity. One of its most prized issues is the 1943 Half Dollar, which is made of 90% silver and has a beautiful design. Like any other coin, the price is affected by its condition, mintage, and the current market.
If you want to know more about the 1943 Half Dollar value, this post will help you understand it better. It covers everything from its history to its current value and how to determine its condition. If that sounds interesting, read on to find out more!
Overview of 1943 Half Dollar
The 1943 Walking Liberty Half-Dollar is a coin that has a rich history behind it. In 1915, Robert W. Woolley became the new director of the US Mint, and after taking office, he initiated a process to replace the coins designed by the mint’s chief engraver, Barber.
To accomplish this, he hired the Commission of Fine Arts to conduct a competition for new designs for quarters, half dollars, and dimes. The Commission chose the sculptors Polasek, Weinman, and MacNeil to finish the task and asked them to submit proposals with a different look for the half-dollar coin.
After reviewing all the entries, the Commission members selected Adolph Weinman's design, however, it had some issues during trial minting. Upon noticing that ‘LIBERTY' didn't come out well in the original design, Mr. Weinman had to modify it.
Simultaneously, the superintendent of the Philadelphia mint found a way to combat this issue by toning down the relief and altering the pressure when pushing out planchets. Although this procedure led to a delay in the release of the coins, they became highly sought after when they were circulated. Consequently, it didn't take long for them to become popular amongst people.
What's Your 1943 Half-Dollar Worth?
There is an abundance of 1943 half-dollars, making them relatively common among coin collectors. However, given that silver is a main component in these coins, the metal value can be quite high—the coin is worth at least the silver in it! All 1943 half dollars are worth at least about $7 due to the coin's weight of 12.5 grams (10.254 grams silver).
However, keep in mind that the primary factor in a coin's worth is its quality. Your coin might be worth up to $20 if it is in mint condition. You can get $13 for coins in good condition on the whole. The sentimental appeal of the 1943 Walking Liberty half dollar and rising attention from collectors have led to a sharp increase in price as quality increases (sometimes exceeding 2 to 3 times its silver melt value).
How Mintage Affects the Value of 1943 Half-Dollar Coins
The mintage of a 1943 half-dollar is a major influence in determining its value, as is the case with many other coins. Rare coins with low mintages demand greater prices. In 1943, the US mint struck an unprecedented 80 million new half-dollars, which explains why mintage has an impact on the value of a 1943 half-dollar.
Therefore, the coin is not as rare or expensive as others with a lower mintage. Coins struck in Denver, and San Francisco had “D” and “S” mint markings, whereas those struck in Philadelphia did not, as is standard practice for U.S. coins.
The following is a detailed breakdown of the mintage figures for the 1943 half-dollar coins, including their values:
1943 Half Dollar (Philadelphia Mint)
Like with other US coins from the Philadelphia mint, the 1943 half dollar came with no mint mark. The Philadelphia mint made most of the coins up to 53,190,000. The majority of the 1943 half-dollar coins are typically weak since it was challenging to strike the Walking Liberty design perfectly.
The following is a breakdown of the price depending on the quality:
- MS 55-57: $7 – $8
- MS 58-59: $10 – 18
- MS 60: $30 – $35
- MS 61-63: $150 – $500
- MS 65 or Higher: $25000+
1943-S Half Dollar (San Francisco Mint)
The San Francisco mint's version of the 1943 half-dollar is known for having the worst quality— most of the coins have washed-out elements, which greatly impacts the quality. However, this means that good quality 1943 half-dollar coins, especially uncirculated ones, are harder to find and will therefore fetch a higher price (up to $65).
The following is a breakdown of the price depending on the quality:
- MS 55-57: $7 – $8
- MS 58-59: $12 – 20
- MS 60: $60 – $100
- MS 61-63: $250 – $1000
- MS 65 or Higher: $30000+
1943-D Half Dollar (Denver Mint)
Due to their low mintage, the 1943 half-dollar series' Denver pieces are the rarest and most expensive. The Denver (D) variety is the one to choose if you're looking for a scarce 1943 half-dollar. A coin that has not been circulated might cost up to $80.
The following is a breakdown of the price depending on the quality:
- MS 55-57: $9 – $10
- MS 58-59: $12 – 20
- MS 60: $60 – $100
- MS 61-63: $250 – $1000
- MS 65 or Higher: $30000+
Pro Tips:
- Check for errors and proofs: Error coins and proof coins are usually worth more, so be on the lookout for these coins. Look for any noticeable flaws, such as misaligned dies, double strikes, or off-center strikes, which can indicate an error coin.
- Research the market: Before making purchases, research the current market trends and values of 1943 half-dollar coins. This will give you a better understanding of what you should expect to pay for a specific coin.
- Get coins professionally graded: Consider getting your coins professionally graded by a third-party grading service, such as the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) or the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC). This will ensure that you have a reliable assessment of the condition and value of your coins.
Bottom Line
Given its significant place in history, the 1943 half-dollar is among the most sought-after coins. However, there were a lot of them made. Because of this, the value of a 1943 half-dollar is rather low. Rare and high-quality coins are worth a significant sum. Given their low mintage and relative rarity, Denver (D) coins are the greatest deal.
