Coin Values Moving with Precious Metals: Up-Dated 12/9/2024: Gold $2645 | Silver $31.20
1939 Half Dollar Value
Your 1939 half dollar value is $12.32 but quickly increases in worth if your coin is in better than average condition.
Also the mint that struck your coin changes the value. Of the three mints in operation at the time the fewest halves were minted in San Francisco. The available number of these coins today is under pressure from demand resulting in higher value. The shortage of available coins is especially tight in gem quality examples.
Value of a 1939 half dollar is often surprising for exceptionally nice coins. The "uncirculated" one pictured is rare in this above average condition and priced above $60. Small differences in wear, luster and marks are involved in determining value.
How much your 1939 half dollar is worth is accurately determined by confirming the mint of origin, followed by a careful judgment of its condition known as "grading". Both are covered in detail below.
1939 half dollars were produced in Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco.
The different mints are identified by mintmarks, "D" for the Denver mint and "S" used by the San Francisco mint. San Francisco mint coins have proven the elusive ones to find, and a nice treasure if yours is the "S" mintmark. Those without a mintmark where struck at Philadelphia. Examine the reverse along the rim at the eight o'clock position, if the mark is present it's small and occupying the space just under the branch.
| 1939 Half Dollar Value | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Condition of Coin | ||||
| Date | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated |
| 1939 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Value Updated | 12/9/2024 | |||
| 1939 | $12.32 | $13.94 | $16.89 | $60 |
| 1939 D | $12.32 | $16.89 | $16.89 | $60 |
| 1939 S | $12.32 | $15.49 | $26 | $110 |
1939 Half Dollar Value Above Silver Price
Blazing luster, minimal marks and abrasions and a highly detailed strike sets this coin apart from the crowd. Few survive in as nice a condition as the one pictured. Offered in a David Lawrence rare coin auction is was quickly bid to over $500. The final price to own such a gem and include in a high grade collection was $517.
San Francisco was the origin of the coin and in 1939 the mint produced far fewer halves than in following years. Finding a quality example worthy of adding to an advanced collection is a long term search. Locating one with light honest wear with pleasing surfaces is also becoming a challenge. The few available in "uncirculated" condition as the one pictured are always in demand.
Your old silver half dollars and especially those of the early years of the Walking Liberty series are quickly rising above their minimum silver value.
Grading 1939 Half Dollar Value
Once you determine date and mintmark, the condition of your old silver half dollar drives the price. Each old coin is examined and a "grade" of its condition is determined. Today 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 1939 half dollar from the chart above.
Uncirculated: A coin without wear is considered as "uncirculated" condition. Viewing you coin under a light, slowly rotate it, the shine and luster is continuous from edge to edge. Circulation renders the tops of the designs dull by removing the delicate luster. Look for this running down the center of Liberty. If you can confirm your 1939 half dollar is uncirculated it is at the high end of value.
Extremely Fine: Evidence of some wear but remaining bold is a coin in "extremely fine" condition. Showing the greatest amount of design loss is the area through the center of Liberty. Folds in her gown have worn smooth over the area of her leg. Once rounded features, the branches, sun rays and Liberty's face now are flattened slightly from circulation. Your coin is a collectible grade for the San Francisco mint examples, with a premium 1939 half dollar value.
Fine: Notable to "fine" condition is the continuous flatness extending from Liberty's head to her foot. And on the reverse is a wide smooth area from the eagle's head along the chest to the leg. On both sides once rounded designs have worn away, there is noticeable flatness to branches and leaves, the sun and its rays, and along the folds in Liberty's gown.
Good: In the heavily worn "good" condition this old silver half dollar depicts Liberty as an outline. From her outreaching arm to her foot all details are now worn smooth, only major folds in the gown are evident. The once protective rim is now touching the tops of some letters and fading into the date. In this condition most 1939 half dollar value is its silver value.
Coin Values | CoinStudy Articles
Walking Liberty Half Dollar Value Chart
Listing all dates and mintmark combinations of this very popular series including more on 1939 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 not only your 1939 half dollar value but how much the rest of these rare silver coins are worth. Value charts list all by date and mintmark. The Franklin series of half dollars, Barber halves, Seated Liberty and the rare early Bust half dollars.
★Return to Coin Values Discovery... find 1939 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