Got a 1942 half dollar coin in your pocket change? You might want to take a closer look. These Walking Liberty coins aren’t just pretty faces – some are hiding serious value, and we’re talking thousands of dollars. That’s right! One rare 1942 silver half dollar coin once sold for a whopping $72,000!
So, let’s find out if your 50-cent coin is also worth a fortune! This guide will explain all rare features, including pristine grades, mint marks, proof varieties, and rare coin errors that coin collectors can pay big bucks for. By the end, you will know the real value of your 1942 Walking Liberty Half Dollar!
1942 Walking Liberty Half Dollar History
The 1942 Walking Liberty Half Dollar is a major part of the series that first started in 1916 replacing the Barber Half Dollar. It featured Lady Liberty striding towards the sun on the obverse and an eagle perched on a mountain pine sapling on reverse.
Designed by Adolph A. Weinman, the 1942 edition was minted during World War II, influencing the design and the coin’s demand. The United States Mint faced significant silver shortages due to wartime demands, resulting in less mintage, making the coins rare and valuable today!
| 1942 Half Dollar | Key Features & Facts |
| Coin Composition | 90% Silver, 10% Copper |
| Minting Location | Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco |
| Minting Year | 1942 |
| Face Value | 50 Cents (0.50$) |
| Weight | 12.50 grams |
| Diameter | 30.63 mm |
| Thickness | 1.88 mm |
| Designer | Adolph A. Weinman |
| Mint Marks | “S” – San Francisco Mint, “D” – Denver Mint |
| Total Mintage | 60,558,893 coins |
Identifying a 1942 Half Dollar Design & Composition
To identify a 1942 Walking Half Dollar and assess its value, you need to spot its distinctive features and composition.
1942 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Obverse:
- A full-length figure of Lady Liberty walking in a flowing gown draped in the American flag
- Branches of laurel and oak in Lady Liberty’s hands
- Sunrise behind Lady Liberty at the bottom left
- The words “IN GOD WE TRUST” located near the bottom right
- The word “LIBERTY” written along the upper half edge
- The mint date “1942” at the bottom
1942 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Reverse:
- The left-facing heraldic bald Eagle perched on a rocky outcrop with raised wings
- The words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” along the upper edge
- The denomination “HALF DOLLAR” at the bottom
- The words “E PLURIBUS UNUM” to the left of the eagle
1942 Half Dollar Coin Composition & Size
The 1942 Walking Liberty Half Dollar is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, giving it a distinctive silvery gray color and a weight of approximately 12.5 grams. The coin has a diameter of 30.6 millimeters and a thickness of 1.8 millimeters with a well-reeded edge, an identifying characteristic of many U.S. coins.
How to Find a 1942 Half Dollar Value? (4 Key Factors)
On average, the value of a 1942 Walking Liberty Half Dollar in good condition ranges between $20 and $50. However, pristine examples or those with rare mint marks or errors can fetch exceptional prices of up to $70,000 or even more!
Let’s understand all the factors that directly impact a 1942 half dollar coin value.
1. Coin Grading and Condition
The condition of a 1942 silver half dollar coin is vital in determining its value. While you can evaluate it by the sharpness of design details, professional coin grading services grade the coins on a scale from Poor (P-1) to Mint State (MS-70), with higher grades indicating better condition.
For the 1942 Walking Liberty Half Dollar, grades such as MS-65 or higher are particularly valuable, as they can easily fetch a premium price of $500 to a whopping $72,000 or more.
2. Mint Marks & Mintage
The total mintage of a coin reflects how rare and valuable it is. With a total mintage of over 60.5 million coins, the 1942 Half dollar was minted in three locations: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. Each mint mark has a different mintage, rarity and value.
- 1942 No Mint Mark Half Dollar: Around 47,818,000 half dollar coins were minted in Philadelphia in 1942, which have no mint mark. In average condition, this silver coin is worth around $10 to $50, but uncirculated coins can reach up to $165 to $400 and more for higher grades.
- 1942 S Half Dollar: The San Francisco Mint produced 12,708,000 Walking Liberty Halves, bearing an “S” mint mark on the reverse. These coins can fetch $15 to $40 in circulated condition and $45 to $550 in common mint grades, with higher grades fetching $1,000 to five figures!
- 1942 D Half Dollar: The Denver Mint struck around 10,973,800 coins, identified by the “D” mint mark. Due to their lower mintage, 1942 D half dollars are more valuable, often worth $50 to $350, with MS-67 or higher grades fetching prices in the tens of thousands!
| Coin Grades | Condition Details | 1942 No Mint Mark Half Dollar Value | 1942 D Half Dollar Value | 1942 S Half Dollar Value |
| Poor (0) to Extremely Fine (XF45) | Significant wear, faded but visible details | $5 – $10 | $5 – $15 | $10 – $20 |
| Almost Uncirculated (AU50) to Mint State (MS58+) | Slight wear on highest points, visible marks or blemishes | $10 – $30 | $10 – $35 | $25 – $40 |
| Mint State (MS60 – MS64) | Uncirculated with minimal wear | $30 – $80 | $30 – $90 | $40 – $110 |
| Mint State (MS65 – MS66+) | Nearly flawless with very minor imperfections | $100 – $350 | $120 – $400 | $200 – $3,500+ |
| Mint State (MS67 – MS67+) | Well-preserved with no major flaws | $500 – $2,500 | $550 – $4,500 | $7,000 – $70,000+ |
| Mint State (MS68 or Above) | Nearly perfect, luster, no major marks or flaws | $15,000 – $78,000+ | $20,000 – $40,000 (Highest $72,000) | N/A |
3. 1942 No Mint Mark Half Dollar Proof Coins
Like its preceding coins, the 1942 Walking Liberty Half Dollar coin was also produced in proof variety for collectors at the Philadelphia Mint. You can spot these coins by their shiny, mirror-like background and frosted designs on both sides.
With a total mintage of only 21,120 coins, 1942 half-dollar proof coins are precious today. Here is a quick overview of their values:
- PR64: $300 – $525
- PR65: $350 – $600
- PR66: $450 – $950
- PR67: $650 – $2,500
- PR68: $2,000 – $24,650
- PR69: $13,000 – $60,000
Apart from regular 1942 half dollar proofs, there are two other varieties: Cameo (CAM) with a strong contrast between frosted design and mirrored fields and Deep Cameo (DCAM) with the strongest contrast.
1942 CAM and DCAM proof half dollars can fetch $3,000 to $5,000 in common grades, like PR-65, while higher grades can fetch a lot more!
4. Rare 1942 Half Dollar Mint Errors
Like rare varieties, minting errors can also enhance your 1942 Half Dollar coin value. Here are the most notable errors to look for:
Double Die Obverse (DDO, FS-101)
This error occurs when the die is misaligned, resulting in a doubling effect on the date and inscriptions, transferring the same to the 1942 half dollar during striking. Look for doubling in the letting of “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST,” the mint date, and Lady Liberty’s silhouette, like the chin.
Depending on the coin’s condition and doubling, a 1942 DDO can be worth $50 to $160 or more!
Double Die Reverse (DDR, FS-801)
A 1942 DDR half dollar displays the doubling on the reverse side, such as the lettering of “ONE DOLLAR.” Look for overlapping bars and tops of the letters to spot it. DDR examples are generally more valuable than the DDO, with MS-66 examples fetching up to $950!
Double Struck in Collar
This error happens when a 1942 half dollar coin is double struck while still inside the collar (the ring that keeps the planchet in place during striking). You can spot it by the doubled date and doubled lettering in the words “STATES.” An XF45 example sold for over $763 on Heritage Auctions, an extraordinary price for this grade.
Struck on a Washington Quarter Planchet
As the name states, this 1942 Walking Liberty Half Dollar is mistakenly struck on a Washington Quarter planchet, resulting in its outer design getting cut off. In some cases, the coin can be missing Lady Liberty’s head.
Besides, this rare coin is smaller and has a different weight and composition than the regular 1942 half dollar. This one is a valuable error worth thousands, like this MS-64 example that sold for a staggering price of $18,000 on Heritage Auctions!
How to Know if 1942 Walking Liberty Half Dollar is Silver?
To determine if your 1942 Walking Liberty Half Dollar is made of real silver, follow these three steps:
- Check the Weight: Genuine 1942 silver dollars should weigh around 12.5 grams. Use a precise scale to verify this; significant differences can hint at a counterfeit.
- Do a Magnet Test: Silver is not magnetic. If a magnet attracts your 1942 half dollar coin, it is likely not silver.
- Inspect the Edge: 1942 silver coins have a reeded edge. If the edge is smooth, the coin could be clad or fake.
