1944 Half Dollar Coin Value (Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth)

The Walking Liberty Half Dollar coins quickly became popular as soon as they appeared in circulation in 1916. Interestingly, their minting started in the middle of WWI, and the last pieces were issued only a few years after WWII, in 1947.

It was a weird situation to have a coin offering hope and joy in the most horrible periods of the 20th century. The 1944 Half Dollar value primarily depends on each specimen’s condition. Basically, you can find two similar pieces in a price range from several dollars to tens of thousands of bucks.

1944 Walking Liberty Half Dollar value Chart
Condition	1944 No Mint Mark half-dollar	1944 D half-dollar	1944 S half-dollar
Good	$17	$17	$17
Very good	$18	$18	$18
Fine	$19	$19	$19
Very fine	$20	$20	$20
Extra fine	$23	$23	$23
AU	$27	$27	$27
MS 60	$55	$55	$60
MS 63	$87	$87	$105

History of the 1944 Walking Liberty Half Dollar

Robert Wolley, then Mint Director, was convinced that his obligation was to change the previous half-dollar in 1915. It was probably the only reason one of the most beautiful American coins appeared in circulation.

The new design replaced the popular Barber half-dollar. Even though Charles E. Barber got a chance to offer a new design, the Commission chose Adolph Weinman’s idea. You can see how different the new coin is compared to the old one, but it basically included the same symbols crucial for the American nation.

1944 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Types
Location	Year	Minted
Philadelphia	1944 No Mint mark half-dollar	28,206,000
San Francisco	1944 S half-dollar	8,904,000
Denver	1944 D half-dollar	9,769,000
Total	/	46,879,000

Despite the astounding design, Walking Liberty Half Dollars were impractical in circulation. It seems that no one was particularly disappointed when the Frenclin halves replaced them in 1947.

On the other hand, these lovely specimens are popular collectibles nowadays. Those in the mint state are particularly sought-after, winning incredibly high prices at auctions. That way, these coins gained attention and love, which was missing while they were in everyday use.

Also read: 13 Most Valuable Franklin Half Dollars Worth Money

Features of the 1944 Walking Liberty Half Dollar

German-born American sculptor Adolph Alexander Weinman created one of the most beautiful American coins. The 1944 Walking Liberty Half Dollar set is among the last ever minted, making these pieces one of the war coins.

These facts make them sought-after among collectors, while silver content puts them in the group of coins that are a good investment.

The obverse of the 1944 Walking Liberty Half Dollar

Americans like this coin with Lady Liberty, who confidently walks toward the rising sun lit up by its rays. The designer’s intention was to depict her as a symbol of great hope in a new day and the whole future.

She wears a flowing gown with an American flag over her shoulders. Her stretched hand represents the spirit of freedom, while the oak and laurel branches she holds in her arms symbolize military and civil glory.

The date is struck under her feet, while the word LIBERTY surrounds her from above. You can also notice a small motto IN GOD WE TRUST broken into two lines.

It seems that Weinman based the coin obverse design on The Sower, Oscar Roty’s picture. Nowadays, the Lady Liberty image on this half-dollar is probably the most iconic numismatic image seen on American coinage. After minor modifications, the US Mint used it in 1986 on the American Silver Eagle.

The reverse of the 1944 Walking Liberty Half Dollar

The purpose of the coin reverse design was to show power and creativity, but numerous details caused difficulties with minting. The designer placed a bald American eagle in the center and added a sizable legend – the UNITED · STATES · OF · AMERICA · above its head.

The bird with partially unfolded wings sits on a rocky foothill with mountain pine saplings growing in its front and proudly stares into the distance. Above the twig is E PLURIBUS UNUM, while the denomination (HALF DOLLAR) is struck at the coin bottom. The designer placed his initials beneath the eagle’s wing on the right.

1944 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Details
Face value	Fifty cents ($0.50)
Shape	Round
Compound	Silver and copper in a 90%: 10% ratio
Coin thickness	0,0709 inches (1.8 mm)
Coin diameter	1.2059 inches (30.63 mm)
Coin weight	0.4019 troy ounces (12.5 g)
Silver weight	0.3617 troy ounces (11.25 g)
Edge	Reeded

Other features of the 1944 Walking Liberty Half Dollar

Thanks to the reeded edge, cutting a piece of the 1944 Walking Liberty Half Dollar and lowering its value is almost impossible.

Therefore, each piece weighing 0.4019 troy ounces (12.5 g) contains precisely 0.3617 troy ounces (11.25 g ) of silver. A diameter is a standard 1.2059 inches (30.63 mm) for this coin type, while each is thick 0,0709 inches (1.8 mm).

Also read: 13 Most Valuable Kennedy Half Dollar Worth Money

1944 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Grading

Nowadays, almost all professional grading companies use a modified Sheldon scale to evaluate collectible coins. It precisely determines each piece’s appearance, possible flaws, deformities, and damage caused during use.

Besides, the mint mark often significantly affects the coin’s price. The reason is a different mintage reached in mints responsible for the coinage production in the particular year.

#	Grade
1	Basal State-1
2	Fair
3	Very Fair
4, 5, 6	Good
7, 8, 10	Very Good
12, 15	Fine
20, 30	Very Fine
40	Extremely Fine
50	About Uncirculated
60	Mint State
65	Mint State
70	Mint State

Please check our grading guides to know your coin scale, It’s the necessary step to know the exact value of your coin.

Check out now: How to Grade Walking Liberty Half Dollar?

1944 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Value Guides

At the end of WWII, three mints minted precisely 46,879,000 Walking Liberty Half Dollars in 1944. Since the US Mint struck proofs only from 1936 to 1942, you can’t find pieces intended for collectors from 1944.

1944 No Mint Mark Half Dollar Value

In 1944, the Philadelphia mint struck 28,206,000 Walking Liberty Half Dollars. Most coins released into circulation are affordable nowadays, and you can buy them for $17 to $25. Only those in AU condition come in a price range from $27 to $50.

On the other hand, you need to pay more for pieces in the mint state, but the final price always depends on their condition. Coins rated from MS 60 to MS 67 cost $55 to $1,200, but you can be surprised how expensive those in MS 68 grade are.

Since specimens of such quality are incredibly rare, you should set aside a fantastic $65,000 to get one. However, it is only an estimation, and such coins are often worth significantly more at auctions.

For instance, one collector didn’t regret the money to add one 1944 MS 68 Walking Liberty half-dollar to their collection. This particular piece was sold at $109,250 in 2010.

1944 D Half Dollar Value

The Denver mint reached the second-highest Walking Liberty Half Dollar production in 1944. Precisely 9,769,000 of these silver coins came from this mint, and most ended up in everyday use.

You can find these coins for $17 to $50 at the current market, and only uncirculated ones can reach a higher value. In most cases, you can count on the following prices:

• $55 for MS 60-rated half-dollar coins
• $64 for MS 61-rated half-dollar coins
• $77 for MS 62-rated half-dollar coins
• $87 for MS 63-rated half-dollar coins
• $115 for MS 64-rated half-dollar coins
• $165 for MS 65-rated half-dollar coins
• $260 for MS 66-rated half-dollar coins
• $1,225 for MS 67-rated half-dollar coins

Unlike these relatively affordable prices for these almost 80-year-old coins, those in MS 68 grade are considered scarce. That affects their prices, so you can buy one for an assessed $60,000 at auctions. In 2021, one collector paid $57,600 to get one such coin, making it the most expensive piece minted in Denver that year.

1944 S Half Dollar Value

The lowest mintage of 8,904,000 Walking Liberty Half Dollar coins in 1944 was realized in the San Francisco mint. This fact doesn’t affect the price of low-graded coins in Good to AU conditions, and you can buy one for $17 to $55.

However, specimens in the mint state are slightly more expensive than coins minted in the other two mints. Their average prices go from $60 for pieces in MS 60 grade to $775 for MS 66-ranked coins.

The best-quality halves with the S mint mark are those in MS 67 grade. Their assessed price range is from $14,500 to $42,500, but the auction winner brought more money to its owner after selling at $40,800 in 2021.

Also read: 11 Most Valuable Half Dollars In Circulation

Rare 1944 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Error List

Despite being minted during the war, the 1944 Walking Liberty Half Dollar came with only a few errors. These pieces never bring exceptionally high premiums but are significantly costlier than flawless ones. Let’s take a look.

Hand cut AW

While some collectors believe these coins are a variety, others are convinced they are an error. In any case, it is known that some specimens from Denver came without designer initials. Therefore, mint workers engrained them by hand.

Nowadays, most cost about $150 to $160. On the other hand, the auction record is surprisingly high. One 1944 D MS 67+ half-dollar with this error sold at $3,290 in 2014.

Missing Adolph Weinman’s initials

Some halves stayed without designer initials. These coins missed punching AW letters, and no one noticed it. Therefore, they appeared in circulation unfinished. Nowadays, coins with missing Weinman’s initials are worth approximately $125.

Re-punched S mint mark

Coins with this error type appeared in the San Francisco mint. They have the mint mark punched twice because the first letter was in the wrong position. Although such pieces are relatively common in all grades, you can count on $200 to $300 per uncirculated one.

The exact price often depends on the accuracy of the second mint mark punch positioning. For instance, the costliest such coin ever sold at an auction is the 1944 S/S MS 66 RPM half-dollar. It went into the new owner’s hands for $893 in 2013.

Where to Sell Your 1944 Walking Liberty Half Dollar ?

Now that you know the value of your coins, do you know where to sell those coins online easily? Don’t worry, I’ve compiled a list of these sites, including their introduction, pros, and cons. 

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

FAQ about the 1944 Walking Liberty Half Dollar

Are 1944 Walking Liberty coins scarce, and why?

The 1944 Walking Liberty Half Dollars are not particularly rare coins in lower grades, but well-preserved ones can be scarce. That makes them desirable among collectors. Besides, you can get a premium for a few rare errors minted this year.

Which 1944 Walking Liberty coins are the costliest?

• The 1944 MS 68 Walking Liberty won the auction record in 2010 when sold at $109,250
• The 1944 D MS 68 Walking Liberty won the auction record in 2021 when sold at $57,600
• The 1944 S MS 67 Walking Liberty won the auction record in 2021 when sold at $40,800
• The 1944 D MS 67+ Walking Liberty with hand-engraved initials won the auction record in 2014 when sold at $3,290
• The 1944 S MS 66 Walking Liberty with an inverted mint mark won the auction record in 2018 when sold at $900
• The 1944 S/S MS 66 Walking Liberty with re-punched mint mark won the auction record in 2013 when sold at $893
• The 1944 S/S MS 62 Walking Liberty with re-punched mint mark won the auction record in 2017 when sold at $588

How much money are the 1944 Walking Liberty coins struck in Philadelphia?

Silver 1944 Walking Liberty coins without the mint mark came from Philadelphia. Most ended up in circulation immediately and spent years in use. Depending on preservation, you can buy them for $17 to $50.

On the other hand, uncirculated pieces reach $55 to $1,200. The most expensive are sought-after specimens in MS 68 grade with an assessed price range from $13,500 to $65,000.

What are the most expensive Walking Liberty coins?

Walking Liberty coins from Denver reached the highest prices at auctions. The one minted in 1918 in MS 66+ grade sold at $340,750 in 2021. The second was a piece from 1919. This MS 66-ranked coin was sold at $270,250 at an auction in 2004.

The most expensive error coin in the series is the 1917 S obverse MS 67 Walking Liberty. One collector set aside $152,750 in 2015 to get it. Proofs from this series reached significantly lower prices at auctions. The costliest is the 1936 PR 68 Walking Liberty coin. It was sold at $80,500 at an auction on February 1, 2005.