Do you have a 1920 half-dollar? Or are you looking to add the coin to your collection?
For centuries, the US mint has produced some of the world’s finest coins, and the 1920 half-dollar is no different. This coin is part of the Walking Liberty half-dollar series, minted at the beginning of the 20th century.
Like most Walking Liberty half-dollar, the 1920 half-dollar coin has a beautiful, unique design and rich historical significance. In fact, this half-dollar is heralded as a must-have for numismatics and investors alike.
That said, this article dives into the world of the 1920 Walking Liberty half-dollar coin, highlighting every detail from its design to errors. Read on for more information.
1920 Half Dollar Details
- Category: Walking Liberty Half Dollar Series
- Mint: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco
- Mintage: 12,547,000
- Designer: Adolph A. Weinman
- Metal Composition: Silver
- Fineness: 9
- Diameter: 6mm
- Weight: 5grams
- ASW: 3617oz
- Edge: Reeded
Designed by Adolph Alexander, the 1920 half-dollar coin has a composition of 90% silver and 10% copper.
It weighs 12.50 grams (0.4409245 ounces), while the mass of silver accounts for 10.25 grams (0.3617 ounces).
The half-dollar comes with a thickness of 1.88mm and a diameter of 30.63 mm. It also features a reeded edge to discourage counterfeiting and clipping.
Now, let’s look at the coin’s obverse side.
The Obverse Side
The 1920 Walking Liberty half-dollar is considered one of the most beautiful coins ever minted. Its obverse side depicts Lady Liberty walking toward the Sun while holding oak and laurel branches to represent strength and prosperity.
Her right arm is outstretched, pointing towards the sky. Additionally, she is wrapped in the US flag, which is visible on the right behind her shoulder.
Coin collectors believe Elsie Stevens, wife of American poet Wallace Stevens, was the model for the Walking Liberty half-dollar coin. In 1966, Holly, Elsie’s daughter, confirmed that her mother was the model for Weinman’s Mercury dime and half-dollar.
Other details worth highlighting include the word LIBERTY engraved along the coin’s edge. Another thing, the motto IN GOD WE TRUST falls on the lower right side of Lady Liberty, while the date 1920 falls below her foot.
The Reverse Side
The reverse side of the 1920 half-dollar showcases a bald eagle with outstretched wings raising from a mountain cliff. On the side of the cliff, there’s a mountain pine growing. The pine symbolizes America’s rugged roots.
The words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA fall above the eagle, and the denomination HALF DOLLAR appears below the bird. In addition, the motto E PLURIBUS lies on the left side above the mountain pine.
1920 Half Dollar: Additional Details
In 1920, three minting facilities struck Walking Liberty half-dollar coins, including the Philadelphia mint, Denver Mint, and San Francisco mint.
The Denver and San Francisco mints include “D” and “S” mint marks on their coins, respectively. These mint marks appear on the reverse side of the coin.
However, 1920 half-dollar coins struck in Philadelphia have no mint marks.
1920 Half Dollar Value Chart |
|||||
| Mint Mark | Condition | ||||
| Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | About Uncirculated | Uncirculated | |
| 1920 “no mint mark” Half Dollar Value |
$20 |
$50 |
$150 |
$350 |
$550 |
| 1920 “D” Half Dollar Value |
$30 |
$150 |
$900 |
$2200 |
$3000 |
| 1920 “S” Half Dollar Value |
$25 |
$70 |
$425 |
$800 |
$1400 |
1920 Half Dollar Value and Varieties Guide
As mentioned earlier, the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco mints produced Walking Liberty half-dollar coins in 1920. As a result, we have multiple varieties of the 1920 half-dollar coins, each with different values. Below, we’ve discussed each variant.
1920 “No Mint Mark” Half-Dollar Value
- Type: Half Dollars
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint Mark: n/a
- Place of Minting: Philadelphia
- Year of Minting: 1920
- Face Value: $0.5
- $ Price: $15 – $11750
- Mintage: 6,372,000
- Designer: Adolph A. Weinman
After World War I in 1918, the US economy declined until the first part of 1919. In the second half of 1919, the nation’s economy saw a mild recovery, leading to an increased demand for half dollars.
In 1920, the Philadelphia mint struck over 6.3 million Walking Liberty half dollars. Most of the coins entered circulation.
As a consequence, a limited amount of 1920 half-dollar coins survive in extremely fine and about the circulated state today. These coins become even rare in mint state. It’s actually hard to find a 1920 half-dollar in MS-65 or above.
As for their value, 1920 “no mint mark” half-dollar coins in good condition can sell for $20. Those in fine and extremely fine condition can have a value ranging from $50 to $150. In about uncirculated (AU) state, the specimen costs around $350.
But what if you have an uncirculated 1920 “no mint mark” half-dollar coin?
Well, the coin’s pristine condition makes it super valuable. This piece can sell for as much as $25000 or more.
1920 “D” Half Dollar Value
- Type: Half Dollars
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint Mark: “D”
- Place of Minting: Denver
- Year of Minting: 1920
- Face Value: $0.5
- $ Price: $20 – $40000
- Mintage:1,551,000
- Designer: Adolph A. Weinman
In 1920, the minting facility at Denver minted the least amount of Walking Liberty half dollars. The mint produced 1,551,000. This low coin mintage reflects the Great Depression that happened between 1920 to 1921.
The 1920 “D” half-dollar coins are elusive in extremely fine (XF) conditions and higher, with uncirculated specimens being limited. These coins might not be as rare as the 1917–D and 1921 -D, but coin collectors and investors will pay hundreds or thousands of dollars for these coins.
Currently, a 1920–D half-dollar in good condition goes for $30. Those in extremely fine and about uncirculated states can cost anywhere from $900 to $2200. Because of their rarity, mint state 1920–D half dollars can fetch high prices. They can be worth between $3000 and $40000.
1920 “S” Half Dollar Value
- Type: Half Dollars
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint Mark: “S”
- Place of Minting: San Francisco
- Year of Minting: 1920
- Face Value: $0.5
- $ Price: $15 – $80000
- Mintage:4,624,000
- Designer: Adolph A. Weinman
Last, we have the 1920 “S” half dollars, produced by the San Francisco mint. The mint struck at least 4 million 1920–S coins, and a generous amount of these pieces entered circulation. However, most 1920–S feature poor strike quality, especially on Lady Liberty’s left arm.
Numismatists have always sought S-Mint coins, even in lower grades. As a result, only a few 1920-S gems survive today in all grades. But they are not as rare as the 1920–D half dollars.
According to the NGC price guide, the value of a 1920-S Walking Liberty half-dollar in circulated condition ranges from $25 to $800.
In mint state, a 1920-S is extremely rare and has a higher value. For example, a 1920-S in mint state 60 can sell upwards of $1400. Specimens at MS65 grade and above can cost anywhere from $22,5000 to $80,000.
1920 Half Dollar History
As mentioned earlier, the 1920 half-dollar is part of the Walking Liberty half-dollar series, struck by the US mint from 1916 to 1947. These coins replaced the Barber half dollars designed by Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber.
The Barber dimes, quarter dollars, and half dollars got introduced in 1892. However, these specimens attracted public dissatisfaction. As such, many successful administrations tried pushing for the re-design of the US coins.
Although the double eagle, eagle, half eagle, and quarter eagle got redesigned in 1907 and 1908, the Barber half quarter design remained the same until 1915, when Robert W. Woolley became the new director of the US mint.
When the mint director assumed office, he concluded that the law required him to replace coin designs used for the last 25 years. Woolley sought to replace the Barber coinage with modern designs that have a more artistic appeal.
He hired The Commission of Fine Arts to sponsor a contest for new designs for the dimes, quarters, and half dollars. Woolley also requested Barber to prepare new designs. But the members of the commission disliked his work and rejected the designs.
After the competition, the Commission of Fine Arts selected three sculptors, including Hermon MacNeil, Albin Polasek, and Adolph Weinman, to submit proposals for the new coins.
When the sculptors submitted sketches for their design, Woolley informed Adolph A. Weinman that his sketch for the half dollar has been selected. Interestingly, Weinman’s designs for the dime and reverse of the quarter were also selected.
However, the Walking Liberty Half dollar production was not without problems. The mint noticed the word LIBERTY on the obverse side did not strike well. Because of this, Weinman had to revise the obverse design. At the same time, Barber attempted to reduce the relief and adjust the pressing force to improve the coin’s strike quality.
After the revision, coin production began and the Walking Liberty half dollars entered circulation. Although the public liked this new piece, minting facilities had some difficulty in bringing out its design.
Most Walking Liberty half-dollar coins, including the 1920 half-dollar, exhibit weakness. And every attempt to modify the coin’s design failed. After 31 years in circulation, the Walking Liberty half-dollar got replaced by the Franklin half-dollar.
1920 Half Dollar Grading
One factor that influences the value of 1920 half dollars is grade. The grade of the coin is determined by its condition. In this case, a 1920 half dollar can fall into four categories depending on their grade:
- Good: A 1920 half-dollar in good condition displays signs of chipping and heavy scratching on the Lady Liberty and the eagle’s feathers. The coin might also lack finer details, making the inscription and denomination look faded and flat.
- Fine: In fine condition, a 1920 half-dollar shows multiple signs of light wear and tear on Liberty’s body and the eagle’s head and legs. However, the coin still maintains its overall aesthetic quality.
- Extremely Fine: 1920 half dollars in the extremely fine state lack a mint luster. The piece will showcase wear and damage on high points. Also, the fine details on the branches and eagle on the reverse will appear faded. But overall, the specimen maintains a bold texture and luster.
- Uncirculated: Uncirculated 1920 half dollars have never entered circulation. These coins maintain their original mint luster and texture.
1920 Half Dollar Error
Despite the challenges of producing the 1920 half-dollar, the US mint did a great job. To date, there’s no reported 1920 half-dollar error. But other coins that make up the Walking Liberty half-dollar series display several errors, including:
1. Double Die Error
Some 1920 Walking Liberty half-dollars might display a double die error on the obverse or reverse side. This error results from a misalignment between the working die during minting and leads to double images on a coin.
2. Off-center Stuck Error
This error happens when a die strikes the blank planchet off-center, resulting in a coin with a coin missing a design element.
3. Re-punched Mint Mark Error
1920 Walking Liberty half dollars can have the re-punched mint mark error. The error occurs when the mint mark gets punched out of position or the punch breaks.
Coin collectors appreciate half dollars with such errors since they have a higher value. The video below will help you identify other rare and valuable Walking Liberty half-dollars.
1920 Half Dollar FAQ
Where is the mint mark on the 1920 half-dollar?
In 1920, the Denver and San Francisco mint included the “D” and “S” mint marks on their Walking Liberty half-dollar pieces. These mint marks appear on the coin’s reverse on the lower left side.
What is the rarest 1920 half-dollar?
The 1920- D half dollars are considered the rarest because of their low mintage. The Denver mint produced only 1,551,000 Walking Liberty coins that year, and most pieces entered circulation. As a result, very few mint state specimens exist today.
What is the most valuable Walking Liberty half-dollar?
Walking Liberty half dollars usually fetch a high price tag because of their stunning design and rarity, especially in mint state. The most valuable coin in this series includes the 1918 -D (MS66), which sold for $340,750 in 2021. Another valuable coin worth highlighting is the 1919-D (MS 66+), which fetched $270,250 in 2004.