1940 Walking Liberty Half Dollar
Base
About This Coin
The 1940 Walking Liberty Half Dollar is a United States half dollar from the Walking Liberty Half Dollars 1916-1947 series — 18th of 25 years in the series. In 1940, coins were struck at the Philadelphia and San Francisco Mints with a combined mintage of 13.7 million. This ranks 15th of 25 years by total mintage, above the series median of 13.3 million. The obverse features Liberty striding confidently toward the sunrise, draped in the American flag, carrying branches of laurel and oak symbolizing civil and military glory and the reverse displays an eagle perched on a mountain crag with wings partially unfurled, a sapling of mountain pine growing beside it. Struck during the Great Depression, when mintages dropped sharply and the United States abandoned the gold standard in 1933. Struck in 90% silver, 10% copper, weighing 12.5 grams, 30 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Across its variants, estimated values range from $39 to $813 depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $35K in MS67 grade at Heritage Auctions. Designed by Adolph Alexander Weinman.
Value Estimates
Values as of May 2026 — range across all strike types, reflecting typical grades (G-4 through MS-63). Coins in lower or exceptional grades may fall outside this range.
