In coin collecting, a key date coin is generally harder to find than other dates in the coin series. These key dates also tend to be more valuable and more sought after by collectors. Collectors Dashboard is evaluating and analyzing the key date coin of the Walking Liberty Half Dollar series ended in 1947. This coin was was released into circulation but the has a very low mintage population.

The Walking Liberty Half Dollar series ended in 1947. The 1938 D has had the attention of collectors because it stands as the last low mintage of the series. According to The Official RED BOOK A Guide Book of United States Coins (2004 edition) only 491,600 of the 1938 D examples were minted. To put this in context, the modern era generally is known for millions of each mintmark was the standard.

It was not since 1921 that the mintage had been so low. Because of this scarcity, and which may also entice investors, there is an obvious numismatic appeal that appeals to many collectors. Some collectors even back at the time of its release saved entire uncirculated rolls of 20 coins.

Unique opportunities are the relatively high population of graded examples beyond MS65. PCGS has graded 59 samples at MS67 with four examples MS67+. One of these examples (MS67+) sold for $41,125 September 28, 2018 in Legend Rare Coin Auctions’ Regency 28 auction. Another of the batch of 4 sold in a Heritage Auction on September 17, 2020 for $44,400.

The third lowest mintage behind the 1921 and the 1921 D, the PCGS population report has 872 examples in MS64, another 961 samples in MS65, and 507 samples in MS66. April 2021 saw a PCGS MS67 graded example sell for $3,600. The same month another Heritage Auction realized $2,172 for PCGS graded MS66+. By contrast, an NGC (Numismatic Guarantee Corporation) graded MS66 selling for $10,200 in the same Heritage Auction as the MS66+ example.

Building a Walking Liberty Half collection is best utilized with professionally graded encapsulated examples to protect the investment. The large sales realized have been by examples that were never circulated but also have exceptional characteristics in clear deep die strikes.

Recent eBay listings in May of 2021 showed a Buy It Now price for three MS66+ PCGS/CAC priced at $3,600.00, then $2,650.00 and then $2,275.25. eBay also has many ungraded samples available for sale under $200 and under $100 each.

Collectors and investors alike know that the high-end grades can vary in price. Even the coins with the same exact grades may appear different upon inspection, and eye appeal can greatly impact the price.

As with all collectibles and investments, auction prices and realized sale prices can also come in lower than what might have been expected. The Walking Liberty Half Dollar key date coin is a prized coin at the higher end of the grading spectrum, and it also has a place for entry-level collectors who are looking to build a solid coin collection.