1942-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar Value
A 1942-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar is worth roughly $13.50 to $132 depending on its condition, while the raw metal inside it is valued at $13.20 as of 2026-06-01 Exceptional, certified pieces regularly exceed the top of that range.
1942-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar value by grade
| Grade | Estimated value |
|---|---|
| Melt value floor(metal content, 2026-06-01) | $13.20 |
| Good (G-4) | $13.50 to $18.00 |
| Very Good (VG-8) | $13.50 to $18.50 |
| Fine (F-12) | $13.50 to $19.50 |
| Very Fine (VF-20) | $14.50 to $21.00 |
| Extremely Fine (XF-40) | $16.50 to $24.00 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-50) | $19.50 to $29.00 |
| Mint State (MS-60) | $24.50 to $36.50 |
| Choice Unc (MS-63) | $33.50 to $49.50 |
| Gem Unc (MS-65) | $90.00 to $132 |
Estimated retail range, updated 2026-06-15. Estimates are modeled from mintage rarity and metal content, not auction records. Actual sale prices vary with certification, eye appeal and market timing.
How much is a 1942-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar worth today?
In worn but collectible condition (Good-4), a 1942-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar starts around $13.50. From there, value climbs with every grade step: a gem Mint State example (MS-65) can reach $132. Most coins found in old collections fall somewhere between Very Fine and About Uncirculated, the middle rows of the table above.
1942-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar specifications
- Series
- Walking Liberty Half Dollar
- Year
- 1942
- Mint mark
- S
- Mintage
- 12,708,000
- Composition
- 90% silver, 10% copper
- Weight
- 12.5 g
- Diameter
- 30.6 mm
- Edge
- Reeded
- Designer
- Adolph A. Weinman
- Silver content
- 0.36169 troy oz
Mintage figure: US Mint reports (approximate).
Where is the mint mark on a 1942 Walking Liberty Half Dollar?
To confirm your 1942 coin is the San Francisco issue, find the small "S". On the obverse below IN GOD WE TRUST (1916-1917) or on the reverse at lower left near the rim (1917-1947) The mark is small, so tilt the coin under a light if it is not obvious.
Why the 1942-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar is worth money
Every 1942-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar contains 0.3617 troy ounces of pure silver, currently worth $13.20. That intrinsic value is a hard floor under the price: no matter how worn the coin, the silver inside cannot be graded away.
With 12,708,000 struck, the 1942-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar is one of the more available dates of its series. Its value rests on metal content and condition rather than absolute rarity, which makes it an ideal type coin.
Few series carry the following that supports the 1942-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar. Liberty strides into the sunrise wrapped in the flag, an image of confident motion unmatched on any circulating coin. A coin that thousands of collectors are actively assembling into sets never lacks for a market.
Summary: the 1942-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar is valued between $13.50 and $132 as of 2026-06-15. Estimates combine mintage rarity, key-date status and metal content; they are editorial guidance, not an offer to buy.