Although the 1945 half dollar is valued at 50 cents, these coins are valuable for collectors and coin resellers. The coin’s distinct features and rich history make the coin a rare piece to add to a collection.
Keep reading as we share information regarding the 1945 half-dollar’s value, different varieties, and particular details that will aid you in making a valuable find.
1945 Half Dollar Details
The 1945 half dollar was made from 90% silver and 10% copper with an elegant shine and luster. The coin’s diameter is 30.6 mm, making it a significantly larger coin. With reeded edges, the coin weighs 12.5 grams, primarily due to the presence of silver.
- Mint: Denver, Philadelphia, San Francisco
- Obverse Designer: Adolph A. Weinman
- Category: Walking Liberty Half Dollars
- Fineness: 0.9
- Mintage: 51,624,800
- Composition: 90% silver 10% copper
- Reverse Designer: Adolph A Weinman
- Weight: 12.5 grams
Obverse Design
The front side of the coin depicts a strolling figure of Lady Liberty wearing a cap and the American flag that is swirling away from the Lady due to the wind. The Lady is portrayed as passing against the wind to new horizons and opportunities.
The figure also carries an olive branch, representing fertility and prosperity. Liberty is written above the lady’s head along the top curve, whereas the phrase In God We Trust is imprinted on the right side of the coin. On the opposite side, there’s an emerging sun depicting new hope for the people.
Reverse Design
The reverse side of the coin represents the American eagle in a ready-to-fly position. The bird’s wings are raised above the ground while its right foot is in a forward position. On top of the eagle’s head, the United States of America is written in block letters with dots between each word.
A tree branch can be clearly seen to the left side of the coin, just below the phrase E Pluribus Unum. The tree branch extends from a rocky cliff shown behind the eagle. The mint mark in the 1945 half dollar is also located on the coin’s right side, below the rocky cliff.
1945 Half Dollar Value Chart |
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| Mint Mark | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated |
| 1945 half dollar no mint mark | $14 | $18 | $20 | $22 |
| 1945 D half dollar | $14 | $18 | $20 | $27 |
| 1945 S half dollar | $14 | $18 | $20 | $22 |
1945 Half Dollar Value and Varieties Guides
The 1945 half dollar’s value depends on its condition, the minting place, and whether the coin has any rare errors. Let’s review the three varieties minted at different locations and look at the differences.
1945 No Mint Mark Half Dollar Value
- Type: Walking Liberty Silver Dollars
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint Mark: No mint mark
- Place of Minting: Philadelphia
- Year of Minting: 1945
- Face Value: $0.5
- Price: $9 to $80
- Quantity: 31,502,000
Originally, every coin minted in Philadelphia doesn’t have any mint marks, except for a few proof coins. More than 31,502,000 coins were minted, lowering the half-dollar’s value and rarity. However, the rare pieces already saved in pristine condition still carry a higher value than many coins.
Starting from the lowest grade, you can still get more than $14 from selling the half-dollar. The pieces in fine condition sell for $17, whereas extremely fine specimens are more than $20. The highest-value coins are always pristine and sold from $50 to $8000 or more.
1945 D Half Dollar Value
- Edge: Reeded
- Year of Minting: 1945
- Quantity: 31,502,000
- Mint Mark: D
- Place of Minting: Denver
- Type: Walking Liberty Silver Dollars
- Face Value: $0.5
- Price: $10 to $90
The 1945 D half dollar was minted in the Denver mint and the mint mark D was on the coin’s reverse side. The Denver produced the least coins and sold for a higher price than the other mints.
Coins in good condition are $14, the fine condition coins fetch around $20, and the uncirculated pieces go for a value between $39 and $70. The value of some coins can even go in thousands, as one 1945 D coin was sold for over $16,000.
1945 S Half Dollar Value
- Type: Walking Liberty Silver Dollars
- Quantity: 10,156,000
- Place of Minting: San Francisco
- Price: $9 to $80
- Mint Mark: No mint mark
- Year of Minting: 1945
- Face Value: $0.5
- Edge: Reeded
The 1945 half-dollar minted in San Francisco includes an S mark. Although they are not as rare as the D variety, the 1945 S half dollars still have more value than the Philadelphia mint. The good-quality half dollars quickly sell for $15, while fine and extremely fine coins are valued at more than $20.
Likewise, uncirculated pieces are valued between $40 to $60. Surprisingly, pristine condition half dollars sell for thousands of dollars as one coin was recently sold at a price of $41,000.
1945 Half Dollar History
The first half-dollar started minting in 1916 and was designed by the renowned sculptor Adolph A. Weinman. The coin designs minted till 1915 had already completed their 25 years of circulation and had to be changed, as instructed by law. Therefore, the mint director Robert W. Woolley replaced the Barber coinage already in circulation.
The mint at the time conducted a competition for coin designing, which the artist Adolph A. Weinmann won. Two of his designs were selected for the dime and the half-dollar. While some authorities at the mint still considered Barber to create his own design, the mint managed to get Weinman’s coin into production.
The half-dollar and ten-cent coin production was halted immediately because the minted coins had excess metal at their edges, making them unusable for vending machines. These edges also break off, decreasing the coin’s value. Weinman was consulted for changes in his design to resolve the issue.
Weinman reduced the size of Lady Liberty, but the problem of thick edges remained unresolved. A few other tweaks also went unfruitful. Finally, Barber was assigned by the treasury authorities and permitted to tweak the design. Barber shrunk Lady Liberty’s portrait, providing more space between the coin’s rim and the portrait.
This tweak resolved the issue of the coins, but the struck details were dull and unappealing. After a month of these changes, the mint authorities became inclined to tweak the Weinman design instead of using the Barber modifications of the half-dollar. The mint tweaked the minting tools like collars, planets, dies, and the striking pressure to resolve the thickness issue and began minting the coins.
1945 Half Dollar Grading
A coin’s grading is crucial to know its value. Depending on the coin’s grading, its value changes, starting from a few dollars and reaching several thousand for the highest-graded coins. Here is a grading video to let you better understand the grading process.
1945 Half Dollar Errors
Only a handful of errors are reported for the 1945 half-dollar coin. While some errors don’t add much value to the coins, particular errors can fetch you easy money. Let’s review the different errors seen in the 1945 half-dollar.
1. 1945 Half Dollar Double Die Reverse
While the error occurs on any side, the 1945 half-dollars are reported to have the double die error on the reverse side. This error creates two distinct outlines as both strikes hit the coin with a slight difference.
This misaligned striking of the coin produces a double design. The DDO reverse error is mainly seen on the eagle’s wings and the legends written on the coin. Coins with this error in extremely fine condition are sold for $90 and upwards.
2. 1945 Half Dollar Planchet Crack
During coin minting, it’s called a planchet crack error if the coin gets cracked. The coins with this error are valued at around $70.
3. 1945 Half Dollar Double Strike
If the die hits the coin surface twice at different angles, two impressions of the coin become visible. However, both visible designs still need to be completed. This error is rare and valuable. How much the coin rotates at the second strike determines its value. Recently, a double strike error coin surfaced, which had two images of lady liberty imprinted at an angle of 55 degrees. The coin was sold at an auction for $41,000.
4. 1945 Half Dollar on Ten Cent Planchet
Whether a cent, dime, or a half dollar, each coin has specific planchets designed to maintain their diameter and thickness. Using a smaller planchet can cause the coin to change its dimensions, making it more valuable. A coin with the ten-cent planchet error sold at an auction for $40,000.
5. 1945 Half Dollar With Missing Initials
Although you’ll see the artist’s initials on every walking liberty half-dollar, some coins missed getting struck with these initials. These coins usually sell for $700 and more.
1945 Half Dollar FAQs
Where is the mint mark on the 1945 half dollar?
The mint mark on these half dollars is on the coin’s reverse side near the cliff from where the tree branch is emerging. While you can see these mint marks on half dollars minted in Denver and San Francisco, the Philadelphia mints didn’t strike their mint mark as usual.
How to tell if you have a rare half-dollar?
The first thing you need to do is check the coin’s condition. Most half-dollars in pristine condition are rare finds. Then move to check what year was the half dollar minted. Several half-dollars, especially those minted during wartime, are rare and have value. Lastly, it’s a rare find if your half-dollar has any error.
What’s the value of a 1945 half-dollar today?
According to coin grading sources, the half dollar falls between $10.5 to $32.5. However, depending on the mint they were produced, and their grading, low mintage coins with mint grading have a value of more than $4100..
How much silver is in the 1945 Walking Liberty half dollar?
The coin is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. Although different compositions were used to make the half dollar at different times, the 1945 half dollars primarily contained silver.
What factors to consider when evaluating a coin to add to a collection?
Here are a few key points you can follow for a better evaluation. Start by evaluating the coin’s design. Look for relevant details and evaluate the level of wear on the image, the rim, and the piece edges. Inspect the legends, mint marks, and initials present on the coin’s surface, and note if you find any discrepancies.
Then move on to evaluate the coin’s finish. The higher the finish, the more detailed your coin will be. By following these steps, you can make your hunt for a collectible coin easier.
Which walking liberty half dollar is the most valuable?
The most valuable walking liberty is from the year 1921. The mintage of coins was the lowest, with all three mints producing less than a million coins. While the Philadelphia mint coins are relatively common, the Denver and San Francisco coins are the most valuable.
Why are half dollars gold?
Although the half-dollars made after 1971 were composed of copper and nickel, the mint 2014 launched commemorative half-dollar coins made of gold to celebrate the half-dollar’s 50th anniversary.
How to test that a half dollar is silver?
Bring a magnet close to the coin. If the coin sticks to the magnet, it means the coin is another metal and not silver.