Coin Values Moving with Precious Metals: Up-Dated 12/9/2024: Gold $2645 | Silver $31.20
1942 Half Dollar Value
The minimum 1942 half dollar value is $11.27 and it rises and falls with the price of silver. Note: This price is for a silver half dollar showing wear from circulation.
Your coin is part of the Walking Liberty series and it does have potential for much higher value. It depends largely on the condition. Millions of halves were minted in the 1940's and many of those dated 1942 have survived and are available today. Worn examples are considered common and are worth a small preminum to their silver value.
The high end value of a 1942 half dollar is separated from the common by the condition of the coin. Collectors usually add an "uncirculated" example of a 1942 half to their collections. These rare quality coins are still in the condition as they left the mint, lustrous, and no wear to the surfaces. It is among these top condition coins that larger demand and premium values are found.
The coin pictured is one any collector or dealer is in the market for. This 1942 half dollar is worth $35 or higher. Judge your half dollars comparing them to the images below. Knowing the condition gives an accurate value from the chart.
1942 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. 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.
| 1942 Half Dollar Value | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Condition of Coin | ||||
| Date | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated |
| 1942 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Value Updated | 12/9/2024 | |||
| 1942 | $11.27 | $13.94 | $16.89 | $35 |
| 1942 D | $11.27 | $13.94 | $16.89 | $36 |
| 1942 S | $11.27 | $13.94 | $16.89 | $39 |
Standout 1942 Half Dollar Value
Let's focus on the condition of the 1942 half dollar pictured. It sold at a David Lawrence rare coin auction for $805. A value far above the usual price of a coin in "Uncirculated" condition. What sets this coin apart and causes such a high bid?
Standout features present with this coin are:
1) Booming luster, bright white silver in color and fully brilliant.
2) Highly detailed strike, Walking Liberty halves are routinely softly struck, here is a bold exception.
3) Blemish free surfaces, no nagging marks or distracting nicks. What few contact marks found are minor and shallow in severity.
Seldom is found an old silver half dollar with so much eye appeal. Easily a candidate to those collectors selecting only the finest coins to add to their collection.
1942 Half Dollar Value is Conditional
Collectors assembling a set of Walking Liberty halves strive to add high quality examples to their collection. Generally fewer of these old silver half dollars survive in better condition, as a result these nicer coins are worth more. To accurately place a value on yours, each is judged and a "grade" is resolved. Dealers and collectors both use the terms found below. Compare your coin to the images and descriptions, finding the grade and 1942 half dollar value.
Uncirculated: An uncirculated coin must not have any wear. Its appearance retains the original mint luster, the shine of a new coin. When tilted from side to side an unbroken silver-white shimmer extends from rim to rim. Any wear from circulation shows as a "softening" and dulling of what should be very sharp features. Uncirculated condition separates the common from rare silver coins.
Extremely Fine: Eye appeal is nice for a coin in "extremely fine" condition. Details in Liberty's gown are still present, many of the small lines are prominent. Wear is obvious but not extensive, check Liberty's forward extending arm and on the back of her leg next to "In God We Trust."
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. Still there is ample detail to the major design elements.
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. In this condition your 1942 half dollar value is its silver value.
Coin Values | CoinStudy Articles
Walking Liberty Half Dollar Value Chart
No surprise here, the large size and stately design insures Walking Liberty half dollars are one of the favorites with collectors. Value chart listing all dates and mintmarks, including more on 1942 half dollar value. Compare your coins to images in the section "how to grade Walking Liberty Halves" and accurately discover how much your old half dollars are worth. Becoming scarce, the early date Walking Liberty half dollars are beginning to break away from today's minimum silver coin 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 1942 half dollar value and... a complete index of image and text links to all US Coin series, from Cents to Gold. Old coins retain a strong collector following. Walking Liberty halves are an example highlighing the value of silver in old coins. Additiionally, within each series are rare date and mintmark combinations with even greater demand. Revisit your box of old coins, today's value charts show a steady increase.
Safe Coin Storage | Recommendations
Recommendations on basic supplies that greatly improve coin storage. Providing for safe handling, preserving of value and organizing your box of old coins. Walking Liberty half dollars need a certain amount of careful handling to maintain their appeal to collectors. Housing them safely is covered in the Safe Coin Storage article.