Coin Values Moving with Precious Metals: Up-Dated 12/9/2024: Gold $2645 | Silver $31.20
1938 Half Dollar Value
The minimum 1938 half dollar value is $12.32 and it rises and falls with the price of silver.
However those struck at the Denver mint are valued far above this silver price, in fact much higher. Relatively few were produced and it has been a scarce coin from the beginning. Details on identifying the Denver coin are further down the page.
One more consideration is the condition of your coin. In nice condition, with only slight wear to their design, these early Walking Liberty half dollars are popular and sought as additions to rare coin collections. With the 1938 Denver half proving elusive, and even harder to find in nice condition, values can reach hundreds of dollars. Below is a section on grading old silver half dollars giving descriptions and images to judge condition and value.
Accurate value is a combination of condition and also date with mintmark having great significance. Your old silver half dollar needs careful study.
Listings on the chart separate the value of your old half dollar by the different mints that struck coins.
1938-D is a coin minted in Denver, it placed a small "D" mintmark on coins. The other mint to strike halves in 1938 was the Philadelphia mint, it did not use a mintmark on Walking Liberty half dollars. Examine the reverse in the space close to the rim before the lettering "Half Dollar."
| 1938 Half Dollar Value | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Condition of Coin | ||||
| Date | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated |
| 1938 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Value Updated | 12/9/2024 | |||
| 1938 | $12.32 | $15.49 | $19.05 | $79 |
| 1938 D | $37 | $65 | $130 | $484 |
Top Quality 1938 Half Dollar Value
Pictured is a 1938-D Walking Liberty half dollar needed by a serious collector to add to a top quality collection. Having to bid aggressively against the competition a price of $2271 was necessary.
Offered in a David Lawrence rare coin auction and seizing the attention of many this coin portrayed surfaces free of scuff and nicks. Also highlighting the design, continuous blue white luster radiated from the center to rims. A stunning coin in remarkable rare condition.
Should your coin approach the condition and eye appeal of the example pictured, you have a rare and collectible half. Many coins can't claim this status, but all silver halves from the 1930's are now looked upon as having collector potential.
1938 Half Dollar Value is Also Determined by Grade
Once you determine date and mintmark, the condition of your old silver half dollar drives the price. Collectors and dealers pay high premiums for coins in better than average condition. Judging the state of preservation allows you to find an accurate value of your 1938 half dollar from the chart above.
Uncirculated: If your coin was put away long ago before any wear from circulation took place it is in "uncirculated" condition and at the top of 1938 half dollar value. Typically toning has begun to cover parts of the coin, but the original luster is unbroken by wear. Examine Liberty's outstretched arm and rear leg, if the luster is missing because of wear, indicating the coin is circulated, these areas appear dull.
Extremely Fine: Light even wear limited to just the high points of the design is typical of a Walking Liberty half dollar in "extremely fine" condition. Folds and lines in Liberty's gown are clearly visible with slight loss of detail down the center. The sun and its rays still retain the roundness to their design, although wear is noticeable. Your coin is bold, very pleasing and well detailed.
Fine: Loss of gown and hand detail down the center of Liberty is a half dollar in "fine" condition. From Liberty's head to her foot is now smooth and distinctly flat in appearance. Her arm and hand has merged with the branch and her waist. The disk of the sun is flat, the rays visible but fading quickly towards the points.
Good: Heavy wear and overall flatness to the coin define the "good" condition. Rims have begun to connect to the tops of the lettering and starting to obscure the date. Areas of "In God We Trust" are becoming faint. The center of Liberty is flat with no details. In this condition the typical 1938 half dollar value is based on silver content, but not so with the Denver coin.
Coin Values | CoinStudy Articles
Walking Liberty Half Dollar Value Chart
Listing all dates and mintmark combinations of this very popular series including more on 1938 half dollar value. Many of these old half dollars are worth premiums above their silver coin values. After you check date and mintmarks, next compare your coins to the grading images and determine their condition. A small difference in preservation does have an effect on value.
Half Dollar Value Covering all Series
Many rare and valuable coins are found throughout the entire history of silver half dollars. Spanning 1794 through the 1960's discover how much these rare silver coins are worth. The Franklin series of half dollars, Barber, Seated Liberty and the early Bust half dollars are listed by date with values.
★Return to Coin Values Discovery... find 1938 half dollar value and... It is an excellent reference list with images and text links to all US coin series, from Cents to Gold. Value charts are combined with grading images and descriptions to uncover the wide range of common to rare coin values found in your box of old coins.
Minimum Silver Value | A Good Place to Start
Many of your old US silver coin values are tied closely to the price of silver. Pre 1965 silver dimes, quarters, half dollars and silver dollars are all heavy with 90% silver and worth many times their face value. With today's high value of silver; $31.20 per ounce as of 12/9/2024 your old half dollars are becoming surprisingly valuable. Today's Minimum Silver Coin Values