1943 Half Dollar Value Checker: Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth

1943 Half Dollar value ranges from $0.50 face value to $120,000. That record belongs to a Grade 68 example sold through Stack’s Bowers in June 2021. Upload a photo of yours below for a quick value range. Scroll down to check recent eBay sales and see what collectors are paying today.

 

1943 Half Dollar Value By Variety

The following chart provides current market values for all 1943 half dollar varieties across different condition grades, helping collectors and investors assess their coins’ potential worth.

If you know the grade of your coin, you can find the exact price below in the Value Guides section.

Also Read: Top 100 Most Valuable Kennedy Half Dollar Worth Money (1964 – Present)

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1943 Half Dollar Value Records

The 1943 Walking Liberty Half Dollar commands extraordinary prices at auction when examples survive in near-perfect condition. This wartime coin’s value is driven primarily by grade, with the gap between circulated and top mint state specimens being absolutely dramatic.

The chart above highlights the most valuable 1943 half dollars sold from 2004 to the present, showing how professional grading transforms a common coin into a five- or six-figure treasure. The Philadelphia issue MS68+ specimen sold for $120,000 through Stack’s Bowers in June 2021, while a 1943-S MS67+ realized $66,000 at that same auction — making June 2021 one of the most significant single auction events for this date.

It is worth noting that the 1943 Philadelphia MS68 sold for $35,250 at Legend Rare Coin Auctions in September 2018, and another MS68 fetched $15,600 through Stack’s Bowers in April 2022, showing that even non-plus grades at the top of the population can exceed $15,000. Meanwhile, the 1943-D MS68 set its auction record of $51,175 at Bowers & Merena as far back as November 2006 — meaning that record is nearly two decades old and could be challenged if another example surfaces.

 

History of the 1943 Half Dollar Value: A Wartime Silver Classic

The Walking Liberty half dollar first appeared in 1916 as part of a sweeping redesign of American silver coinage, born from a creative misunderstanding inside the U.S. Mint.

Mint Director Robert D. Woolley believed that coin designs were legally required to change after 25 years of use, when in fact the law simply granted the Mint authority to change designs without Congressional approval if it chose to. That misreading triggered a design competition that produced one of the most beloved coins in American numismatic history.

Adolph A. Weinman — already a respected sculptor — won the half dollar commission, beating out rival submissions with a design that depicted Liberty striding boldly toward a rising sun. His design was so striking that its reverse eagle was later adapted for the American Silver Eagle bullion coin introduced in 1986, which continues in production today.

The coin’s artistic complexity, however, brought real production headaches from day one. The high relief made coins difficult to strike fully, created problems for vending machines, and forced the Philadelphia Mint superintendent Adam M. Joyce to lower relief and adjust striking technique just to achieve acceptable production quality.

By 1943, America was fully at war, and the three operating mints — Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco — ramped production to record levels. Philadelphia struck 53,190,000 half dollars that year, which was the highest mintage for any half dollar up to that point in history; that record would not be surpassed until the 1963-D Franklin Half Dollar reached 67,069,292 pieces.

One important numismatic fact many collectors overlook: the U.S. Mint completely suspended proof coinage in 1943, shifting all resources to circulating coinage for the wartime economy. Proof production would not resume until 1950, which is why no 1943 proof Walking Liberty half dollars exist — only the very rare Proof-Like (PL) business strikes from San Francisco that were created using polished dies.

Strike quality at the San Francisco Mint remained a persistent problem throughout 1940–1944, with Liberty’s left hand frequently invisible due to inadequate striking pressure. These ongoing difficulties, combined with the practical challenges of the design, helped drive the eventual decision to retire the Walking Liberty design in favor of the Franklin Half Dollar in 1948.

Also Read: Top 35 Most Valuable Franklin Half Dollar Worth Money (1948 – 1963)

 

Is Your 1943 Half Dollar Value Affected by Rarity?

Use our Coin Identifier and Value App to check your coin’s rarity score alongside current market values.

 

Key Features That Affect Your 1943 Half Dollar Value

The 1943 Walking Liberty Half Dollar showcases Adolph Weinman’s masterful design in its 27th year of continuous production. By 1943, wartime manufacturing conditions influenced production quality, creating distinct characteristics across the three mint facilities.

Understanding these features is the first step to unlocking the true value of your coin. The most important factors are composition, strike quality, and the presence of a mint mark.

The Obverse of the 1943 Half Dollar

Liberty’s full-length figure dominates the obverse, striding confidently toward a rising sun with olive branches in her left hand — symbols of the peace America was actively fighting to restore in 1943. Her left hand extended toward the viewer is also the primary strike-quality indicator: on San Francisco issues, that hand is frequently weak or entirely invisible, while Philadelphia strikes almost always show it clearly.

The word “LIBERTY” arches across the upper rim in bold Roman capitals, and “IN GOD WE TRUST” appears to Liberty’s right. Mint mark placement was actually moved from the obverse to the reverse in 1917, so for 1943 coins, the obverse carries no mint-identifying information — you must check the reverse.

The Reverse of the 1943 Half Dollar

The heraldic eagle perches on a rocky cliff with wings spread wide, holding an olive branch in its right talon — the central reverse motif that Weinman made into a near-perfect emblem of national resolve. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” traces the upper rim, “HALF DOLLAR” arcs below, and the motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM” floats above the rocky outcrop.

The mint mark appears below the pine branch at lower center: “D” for Denver, “S” for San Francisco, or nothing for Philadelphia. One notable variety — the 1943-S FS-901 Missing Initials — shows Weinman’s “AW” initials absent from the reverse due to an over-polished die, and this variety is separately catalogued by both Greysheet and PCGS CoinFacts.

Other Features of the 1943 Half Dollar

The 1943 composition is 90% silver and 10% copper — exactly the same formula used from 1916 onward, unchanged despite wartime metal shortages that led to steel pennies and silver-content nickels in other denominations.

Standard specifications remain: 30.6mm diameter, 12.50 grams total weight, and 150 reeded edge grooves. The silver content works out to 0.3617 troy ounces of pure silver per coin, giving every 1943 half dollar a meaningful melt value even if the numismatic premium is modest.

Also Read: Top 60+ Most Valuable Walking Liberty Half Dollar (1916–1947)

 

1943 Half Dollar Value: Mintage & Survival Data

The 1943 half dollar mintage across all three mints totaled approximately 77,986,000 coins — making this year the highest-production year in Walking Liberty history. Philadelphia alone struck 53,190,000 pieces, which was the record for any half dollar issue up to that point and would not be surpassed until the 1963-D Franklin issue.

Denver produced around 11,346,000 coins and San Francisco approximately 13,450,000, making the Denver issue the lowest mintage of the three and therefore the most prized among type collectors seeking a complete set. Despite its smaller original mintage, the 1943-D today trades at only modest premiums below the MS65 level, since enough examples survived in nice condition to satisfy typical collector demand.

Survival rates across all three mints remain below 5.2%, reflecting heavy wartime circulation when coins passed through many hands rapidly. The 1943-S presents a particularly challenging survival picture: of an estimated 650,000 surviving examples, only about 50,000 reach mint state condition, and just 7,500 grade MS65 or higher — largely because weak strikes prevented most coins from achieving top grades even when surfaces were otherwise pristine.

The Philadelphia issue benefits from the opposite problem: PCGS has graded 533 examples in MS-67 and 56 in MS-67+, meaning collectors have a realistic path to a high-grade example without paying extreme premiums. PCGS considers the 1943 Philadelphia a true “type coin” — available enough in gem grades that it serves as the go-to example for collectors building a Walking Liberty type set.

Also Read: What Half Dollars Are Worth Money?

 

1943 Half Dollar Value: How to Grade Your Coin

Grading a 1943 Walking Liberty Half Dollar requires looking at two things: the mint mark location and the coin’s condition. Both factors directly affect what your coin is worth.

First, flip the coin to the reverse and look below the pine branch near the lower center. A “D” indicates Denver, “S” indicates San Francisco, and no mark means Philadelphia — this single identification step can change your coin’s value by hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Second, examine Liberty’s left hand on the obverse and the eagle’s breast feathers on the reverse — these are the high points of the design and where wear appears first. According to PCGS CoinFacts, the 1943 Philadelphia issue is “often found with great original frosty luster and strike is never a problem,” making condition assessment relatively straightforward. By contrast, the 1943-S requires careful attention: David Hall, co-founder of PCGS, has noted that the 1943-S “is rarer than the 1945-S and 1946-S, but not as rare as the other S-Mints of the 1940s” and that sharp strikes are genuinely scarce and worth a significant premium.

Circulated examples (grades Good through About Uncirculated, or G-4 through AU-58) typically sell for $20–$45. Uncirculated grades (Mint State, or MS-60 through MS-65) range from roughly $60 to $225 depending on the mint and strike quality. Premium gems (MS-66 and up) escalate sharply: an MS-67 Philadelphia example can reach $675–$2,250, while the highest-known MS-68+ Philadelphia sold for $120,000 through Stack’s Bowers in June 2021.

For convenient professional-level grading and instant market valuation from your phone, the Coin Identifier and Value App offers error detection, rarity scoring, and real-time value estimates — no guesswork required.

 

1943 Half Dollar Value Guides

• 1943 No Mint Mark Half Dollar (Philadelphia)
• 1943-D Half Dollar (Denver)
• 1943-S Half Dollar (San Francisco)
• 1943-S Proof-Like Half Dollar (San Francisco Special)

The 1943 half dollar comes in four distinct collecting categories, each with its own market personality and investment profile. Philadelphia represents the most plentiful option, Denver the lowest mintage among regular strikes, San Francisco the greatest strike-quality challenge, and the San Francisco Proof-Like the ultimate rarity.

While all varieties share similar values in heavily circulated grades — generally $20–$38 for worn examples — the differences become dramatic in mint state. The key to maximizing what you receive for your coin is identifying which of these four categories it belongs to before you approach any buyer or auction house.

 

1943 No Mint Mark Half Dollar Value

The 1943 No Mint Mark Half Dollar came from the Philadelphia Mint, which struck 53,190,000 pieces — the largest mintage for any half dollar up to that time and a record that stood until 1963. PCGS describes this issue as the most common Walking Liberty half dollar in all grades, including gem Mint State, and treats it as a fundamental “type coin” for the series.

Philadelphia’s production quality during 1943 was notably consistent: the coins regularly display full, frosty luster and complete design detail on Liberty’s left hand and skirt folds. This reliable strike quality — so different from the problematic San Francisco facility — means that Philadelphia coins grade higher on average and are much easier to find in gem condition.

The value curve for this variety follows a classic numismatic pattern: modest increases through circulated grades, then explosive growth at the top. PCGS has certified 533 examples in MS-67 and 56 in MS-67+, but only a tiny handful reach MS-68; those coins are among the rarest in the entire Walking Liberty series. The single finest known — an MS-68+ graded by PCGS — sold for $120,000 at Stack’s Bowers in June 2021. Another MS-68 example sold for $35,250 at Legend Rare Coin Auctions in September 2018, and yet another MS-68 reached $15,600 at Stack’s Bowers in April 2022 — confirming that top-grade Philadelphias consistently command five-figure sums.

Current auction records reveal how grade differences translate into substantial value variations across the quality spectrum.

Market activity data shows continued collector interest in the Philadelphia-issued coin.

 

1943-D Half Dollar Value

The 1943-D Half Dollar was produced at the Denver Mint in a mintage of approximately 11,346,000 — about one-fifth of Philadelphia’s output and the lowest of the three 1943 varieties. This smaller original production, combined with the fact that Denver coins circulated heavily in the Mountain West and Midwest, makes high-grade examples proportionally scarcer than the raw numbers suggest.

Approximately 550,000 Denver coins survive today, with around 90,000 in some form of uncirculated condition and roughly 27,500 grading at the rare end of the spectrum. The “D” mint mark appears on the reverse, below and to the left of the pine branch — a clear, crisp “D” is preferred by collectors, as die wear can sometimes soften the mark and slightly affect premium valuations.

Denver’s strike quality fell between Philadelphia (excellent) and San Francisco (problematic), producing coins that generally show solid detail but occasionally exhibit minor softness in Liberty’s skirt folds. The all-time auction record for the 1943-D was established at Bowers & Merena in November 2006, when an MS-68 example hammered at $51,175 — a record that has stood for nearly two decades and underscores just how few top-grade examples exist. In the Greysheet (CDN Publishing), 1943-D Mint State values currently range from approximately $31 at the low end to $26,000 at the top of the population.

Recent auction results demonstrate the relationship between grade, strike quality, and market demand for this Denver production.

Current market activity reflects steady collector engagement with this moderately available variety, showing consistent trading patterns throughout recent months.

 

1943-S Half Dollar Value

The 1943-S Half Dollar came from the San Francisco Mint with approximately 13,450,000 pieces struck — a higher mintage than Denver but with a far more problematic survival profile at the top grades. Strike weakness is the defining issue for this coin: the San Francisco facility suffered inadequate striking pressure on all Walking Liberty halves produced from 1940 through 1944, and the 1943-S is one of the most severely affected dates.

PCGS CoinFacts notes directly that “the left hand of Ms. Liberty is often so weak it cannot be seen at all” on 1943-S examples, and that “sharply struck Gems are very scarce and definitely worth a premium price.” Of approximately 650,000 surviving examples, only 50,000 reach any mint state level, and a mere 7,500 make it to MS-65 (Gem Uncirculated) or better. PCGS co-founder David Hall has described the 1943-S as “one of the key dates to the 1940–1947 set,” rarer than the 1945-S and 1946-S in high grades despite its seemingly reasonable original mintage.

The auction record for this issue was established at Stack’s Bowers in June 2021, when an MS-67+ example brought $66,000. That result reflects the extreme difficulty of finding a sharply struck, gem-quality 1943-S — a coin whose appearance matters far more than its mintage suggests. Note also that a separate named variety exists: the 1943-S FS-901 Missing Initials, in which Weinman’s “AW” initials were polished off the die; this variety is listed in the Greysheet and commands its own premium from specialist collectors.

Current auction records demonstrate the premiums that strike quality commands for this challenging issue.

Market activity reflects growing collector interest in this strike-sensitive San Francisco variety.

 

1943-S Proof Like Half Dollar Value

The 1943-S Proof-Like Half Dollar is the rarest and most visually stunning variety of the entire 1943 date. These coins are believed to have been struck from specially polished dies, producing mirror-like fields and frosted design devices that create the dramatic cameo-like contrast normally associated with proof coins.

The Proof-Like (PL) designation — assigned by professional grading services like PCGS and NGC — indicates that a business-strike coin displays the reflective surface quality of a proof without having been intentionally produced as one. Because the San Francisco Mint was notorious for weak, unsatisfactory strikes during this period, Proof-Like examples represent a paradox: the same facility that struggled to fill the design on ordinary coins somehow produced a handful of visually exceptional specimens using polished dies.

Only 13 examples have been certified by professional grading services, making this one of the rarest Walking Liberty varieties of any date. The Greysheet currently values these coins in a range of approximately $1,650–$3,600 depending on grade — but individual examples at the top of the population carry a significant premium above guide prices due to their extreme scarcity and visual appeal.

Current market activity demonstrates sustained collector interest in these premium proof-like specimens.

Also Read: Rare Half Dollar Coins to Look For

 

Rare 1943 Half Dollar Error Value List

The 1943 Walking Liberty Half Dollar produced a range of error coins during its wartime production run, and some of those errors carry values that dwarf even high-grade regular strikes. Below is a complete list of known error types, with specific values and auction records where available.

1. 1943 Half Dollar Double Die Obverse (DDO) Error

A doubled die obverse (DDO) error occurs when the working die receives two slightly misaligned impressions from the hub during manufacturing, transferring that doubling to every coin struck with that die. On the 1943-D, doubling is most visible below Lady Liberty’s chin on the obverse; on Philadelphia strikes, doubling tends to appear in the date numerals and the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST.”

This is classified as a DDO — Doubled Die Obverse — meaning the entire front face of the coin carries duplicated detail. Values for 1943-D DDO coins in MS-65 grade are approximately $235, while dramatic, well-preserved examples across any mint can bring $800–$2,500 depending on the severity of the shift.

2. 1943 Half Dollar Off-Center Strike Error

Off-center strikes happen when the blank coin (called a planchet) is not properly seated in the coining press before the dies come together. The resulting coin shows part of the design struck normally and the rest as a blank, unstruck area.

For the 1943 half dollar, strikes ranging from 10% to 50% off-center are most popular with collectors; examples showing 50%+ off-center with a full, legible date fetch the highest premiums. A 1945-S example in the Walking Liberty series — struck 55% off-center — realized $41,125 at auction, giving a sense of the ceiling for dramatic examples; 1943 off-center strikes of similar magnitude typically sell for $300–$1,200 depending on the off-center percentage and overall preservation.

3. 1943 Half Dollar Clipped Planchet Error

Clipped planchet errors result from the blanking punch overlapping an already-punched hole in the metal strip during blank production, cutting a piece of the future coin’s edge before it ever enters the press. The finished coin appears to have a curved or straight “bite” taken from its edge, with the border design missing in that area.

On 1943 half dollars, clips typically affect 5–25% of the coin’s circumference. Values depend on clip size and location, ranging from $75 for a small curved clip to $400 or more for a large, dramatic straight clip that removes a significant portion of the rim lettering.

4. 1943 Half Dollar Broadstrike Error

A broadstrike error occurs when the retaining collar — the ring that holds the planchet in place and forms the reeded edge — fails to engage, allowing the coin metal to spread outward beyond its normal diameter when the dies strike. The resulting coin is wider and thinner than normal, with a completely smooth, flat edge and often distorted lettering and design elements.

1943 Walking Liberty broadstrikes are dramatic and visually distinctive. Values typically run $200–$600 depending on the degree of expansion and how clearly the design elements remain visible.

5. 1943 Half Dollar Struck-Through Grease Error

A struck-through grease error happens when press lubricant fills part of the die’s recessed design, blocking the metal from flowing into those areas and leaving the resulting coin with missing or weak letters and details. One confirmed 1943 Philadelphia example shows the letters “OLLAR” entirely missing from “DOLLAR” on the reverse — a dramatic and verifiable error caused by grease clogging the die.

Struck-through grease errors are generally worth $50–$300 for minor examples, but a dramatic piece with major inscription loss like the “OLLAR” variety can command significantly more from specialists.

6. 1943 Half Dollar Wrong Planchet Error

Wrong planchet errors are among the rarest and most valuable of all 1943 half dollar mistakes. These occurred when foreign planchets — blanks intended for foreign coinage being struck at the U.S. Mint for allied nations — accidentally entered the half dollar production stream.

Two confirmed wrong planchet types are known for 1943 Walking Liberty half dollars. A 1943 Walker struck on a Peruvian ½ Sol planchet — one of only two confirmed examples — sold for $20,000. A second variety, struck on an El Salvadoran 25 centavos planchet, is equally rare and sold for $15,000 in its most recent auction appearance. Both types are rated among the Top 100 most valuable U.S. coin errors by major numismatic catalogues.

 

Where to Sell Your 1943 Half Dollar for Full Value

Selecting the right venue is just as important as knowing your coin’s grade when it comes to getting a fair price. A worn 1943 half dollar can be sold quickly as junk silver at any local coin shop or at spot-adjacent prices online, while a gem mint state or error example deserves the visibility of a major auction.

For circulated examples, local coin dealers, estate sale specialists, or bullion dealers will typically pay close to silver melt value with a small numismatic premium. For uncirculated coins grading MS-63 and above, or for any error coin, consider submitting to PCGS or NGC (Professional Coin Grading Service or Numismatic Guaranty Company) for third-party certification before selling — a certified grade dramatically increases buyer confidence and realized prices.

For high-grade gems (MS-66+), major auction houses including Heritage Auctions, Stack’s Bowers, and Great Collections regularly achieve the strongest results because they reach the largest pool of serious collectors.

Check out now: Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)

 

1943 Half Dollar Value: Market Trend

*Market Trend Chart showing the number of people paying attention to this coin.

 

FAQ about the 1943 Half Dollar Value

1. What is the silver content of a 1943 half dollar?

The 1943 Walking Liberty Half Dollar contains 90% silver and 10% copper, with a total weight of 12.50 grams and 0.3617 troy ounces of pure silver. At current silver spot prices, the melt value of each coin is approximately $31, giving every example a solid floor regardless of numismatic grade.

2. How do I authenticate a 1943 half dollar?

Authentic examples weigh exactly 12.50 grams and measure 30.6mm in diameter with 150 reeded edge grooves. Counterfeits often show incorrect typography, mushy design detail, wrong edge reeding counts, or non-magnetic readings (authentic coins are non-magnetic); when in doubt, submit to PCGS or NGC for third-party authentication.

3. What is the most valuable 1943 half dollar variety?

In terms of auction records, the Philadelphia MS-68+ holds the crown at $120,000 (Stack’s Bowers, June 2021). Among regular-strike varieties in top condition, the 1943-S is actually the rarest at the gem level because weak strikes prevent most examples from achieving MS-65 or higher — and its MS-67+ auction record of $66,000 reflects that scarcity. The 1943-S Proof-Like, with only 13 certified examples, is the single rarest variety of all.

4. Why do 1943-S half dollars often look weakly struck?

The San Francisco Mint used inadequate striking pressure on all Walking Liberty half dollars from 1940 through 1944. The result is that Liberty’s extended left hand — the highest-relief point of the obverse — is often completely flat or invisible, no matter how well-preserved the rest of the coin is. PCGS CoinFacts describes this as a strike problem specific to all 1940–1944 S-Mint Walkers, not a sign of wear or damage.

5. Did the U.S. Mint make proof 1943 half dollars?

No — the U.S. Mint completely suspended proof coin production in 1943, redirecting all resources toward wartime circulating coinage. Proof sets would not resume until 1950. The only premium surface coins from 1943 are the very rare San Francisco Proof-Like (PL) business strikes, which were made from polished dies but were never officially designated as proof coinage.

6. What is the 1943-S FS-901 Missing Initials variety?

The 1943-S FS-901 (Fivaz-Stanton variety 901) is a named die variety in which Adolph Weinman’s “AW” designer initials on the reverse were polished off the die during the production process. The result is a coin that appears to lack the artist’s signature entirely. This variety is catalogued in the Greysheet (CDN Publishing) and recognized by PCGS CoinFacts, and it commands a premium over standard 1943-S examples among variety collectors.

7. How does the 1943 half dollar compare to other Walking Liberty key dates?

The 1943 Philadelphia is the most common Walking Liberty date in all grades and serves as the standard type coin for the series — making it affordable even in MS-65. The truly scarce key dates in the series include the 1916, 1917-D Obverse, 1919-D, and all 1921 issues, which are dramatically rarer and command premiums far above the 1943. The 1943-S, however, is considered a semi-key date for the 1940–1947 portion of the series due to its severe strike problems and limited high-grade survivors.

8. What is a Proof-Like (PL) designation and how does it affect 1943 half dollar value?

A Proof-Like (PL) designation is awarded by grading services like PCGS or NGC when a business-strike coin (made for circulation) displays mirror-like reflective fields similar to a proof coin. This happens when dies are freshly polished before being used in production. For the 1943-S, only 13 examples have received PL certification, and their values in the Greysheet range from approximately $1,650 to $3,600 — far above a standard 1943-S of similar grade.

9. Are there wrong planchet errors for the 1943 half dollar and what are they worth?

Yes — two confirmed wrong planchet errors exist for the 1943 Walking Liberty series. A 1943 half dollar struck on a Peruvian ½ Sol planchet (one of only two known) sold for $20,000 and is listed among the Top 100 most valuable U.S. coin errors. A second example struck on an El Salvadoran 25 centavos planchet sold for $15,000. Both errors occurred because the U.S. Mint was producing foreign coinage for allied nations during World War II, and a few foreign planchets mixed into the half dollar production stream.

10. Where should I sell my 1943 half dollar to get the best price?

For circulated examples, local coin dealers or bullion buyers offer quick liquidity at near-melt value. For uncirculated coins MS-63 and above, third-party certification from PCGS or NGC before selling dramatically increases buyer confidence and realized prices. For gems (MS-66+) or any confirmed error coin, major auction houses — Heritage Auctions, Stack’s Bowers, and GreatCollections — consistently achieve the strongest results by reaching the widest pool of serious collectors willing to pay a full premium.