Lot 018Coin values

1921 Walking Liberty Half Dollar

Q: How much is a 1921 Walking Liberty Half Dollar worth?

Lustre's editorial estimate (Oct 2026) is $95–$740 for circulated examples (G-4 to EF-40) and $23,000–$33,000 in MS-65. These are estimates, not an appraisal or market data. A coin in the grade you hold may sell for less at a dealer, who needs a margin.

PHILADELPHIA · 90% SILVER, 10% COPPER · 246,000 STRUCK

The answer

Worth about $95⁠–⁠$740 circulated and $23,000⁠–⁠$33,000 in MS-65.

The 1921 Walking Liberty Half Dollar is a key date from the Philadelphia Mint, with 246,000 pieces struck. In circulated grades (G-4 to EF-40) our estimate is $95⁠–⁠$740, and a well-preserved MS-65 example is estimated at $23,000⁠–⁠$33,000. Because this is a key date, condition and authenticity matter far more than metal content: have any high-value coin graded by a recognised service.

One of the lowest-mintage issues of the series and a key date: 246,000 struck.

1921Philadelphia

Catalogue medallion. We do not yet hold a licensed photograph of this exact date and mint, so none is shown rather than one with a different date.

Walking Liberty half dollar obverse: Liberty striding toward the sunrise — Design reference 1945-D Walking Liberty half dollar. The date on this photograph is not this issue's date. Public domain, credit Brandon Grossardt, via Wikimedia Commons.

Walking Liberty half dollar reverse: eagle on a mountain pine — Design reference 1945-D Walking Liberty half dollar. The date on this photograph is not this issue's date. Public domain, credit Brandon Grossardt, via Wikimedia Commons.

Mint: Philadelphia
Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
Mintage: 246,000
Weight and size: 12.5 g · 30.6 mm
Designer: Adolph A. Weinman

RarityKey date

PlentifulRare

Scarcer than 98% of the 65 issues in the Walking Liberty series with a recorded mintage. 246,000 struck. Mintage is the number struck, not the number that survive.

Grade & value

Circulated$95–$740

Melt, live$21.89

Estimated value by grade for the 1921 Walking Liberty Half Dollar. Lustre editorial estimate, Oct 2026.
Grade	Estimate
G-4Good	$95–$125
VG-8Very Good	$120–$160
F-12Fine	$170–$230
VF-20Very Fine	$280–$360
EF-40Extremely Fine	$560–$740
AU-50About Uncirculated	$900–$1,300
AU-58Choice About Uncirculated	$1,400–$2,000
MS-60Mint State 60	$2,450–$3,550
MS-63Choice Mint State	$5,250–$7,750
MS-65Gem Mint State	$23,000–$33,000

Melt value (silver)$21.89

0.3617 troy oz of silver at the spot price. Reference prices, not live

Scan your coin

Estimates. Grade values are Lustre editorial estimate, Oct 2026, based on spot prices near $61 per ounce for silver. They are not market data, an appraisal or an offer. Rows marked at melt follow the metal price.

Value ladder

Varieties to look for

Mint mark position

1916 and some 1917 coins carry the mint mark on the obverse; later coins carry it on the reverse at the lower left. Make sure the position matches the date.

Strike quality

The head and left hand of Liberty and the eagle's breast are weak on many dates. Fully struck examples of the 1920s and early 1930s are scarce.

Cleaning

Many have been cleaned or dipped. Look for original luster.

Questions

About the 1921 Walking Liberty

How much is a 1921 Walking Liberty Half Dollar worth?

Lustre's editorial estimate (Oct 2026) is $95⁠–⁠$740 for circulated examples (G-4 to EF-40) and $23,000⁠–⁠$33,000 in MS-65. These are estimates, not an appraisal or market data. A coin in the grade you hold may sell for less at a dealer, who needs a margin.

Is a 1921 Walking Liberty Half Dollar silver?

Yes. It is 90% silver, 10% copper and weighs 12.5 g, which is 0.3617 troy ounces of pure silver. Its melt value is that weight multiplied by the current silver spot price, shown live on this page.

How many 1921 Walking Liberty Half Dollars were minted?

246,000 were struck at the Philadelphia Mint.

Where is the mint mark on a Walking Liberty Half Dollar?

On the obverse below the letters TR of TRUST for 1916 and some 1917 coins; on the reverse near the lower left rim from later 1917 onward. Philadelphia coins have no mint mark.

Is my 1921 Walking Liberty Half Dollar rare?

Yes. It is a key date. Check the variety notes on this page, look at the date and mint mark under magnification and consider professional grading before selling.

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