A 1935-S graded MS-67 sold for $67,563 at Legend Rare Coin Auctions — making it the rarest Walking Liberty half dollar in Mint State condition across the entire 1935–1947 run. Your coin may not be that rare, but it's almost certainly worth more than face value. Use the free calculator below to find out exactly where yours stands.
★★★★★ 4.8 / 5 · Rated by 1,347 collectors
Check My 1935 Half Dollar Value →Select your mint mark, condition, and any errors — then click Calculate.
If you're not yet sure about your coin's mint mark or condition, a 1935 Half Dollar Coin Value Checker with photo upload lets you upload pictures for an instant AI-assisted estimate without needing to identify those details first.
Type a description of your coin and we'll analyze it for likely value indicators.
The 1935-S is the premier condition rarity in the 1935 Walker series — PCGS CoinFacts says it's the rarest Walking Liberty half dollar in Mint State from 1935 all the way through 1947. Use this checker to see where yours might stand.
The table below summarizes typical retail values for all three 1935 Walking Liberty Half Dollar issues across major grade levels. For a step-by-step in-depth 1935 half dollar identification walkthrough, compare your coin against graded photo examples alongside the figures here. The 1935-S row is highlighted in gold — it is the key condition rarity. Values reflect current market data based on PCGS and recent auction results; always verify against live price guides before buying or selling.
| Variety | Worn (G–VF) | Circulated (EF–AU) | Uncirculated (MS-60–63) | Gem (MS-64+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1935-P (Philadelphia) | $21 – $33 | $30 – $100 | $70 – $300 | $150 – $2,500+ |
| 1935-D (Denver) | $25 – $37 | $50 – $200 | $275 – $450 | $575 – $8,400+ |
| 1935-S (San Francisco) ★ | $21 – $37 | $66 – $475 | $275 – $775 | $1,350 – $67,563 |
| Off-Center Strike (any mint) | $100 – $500 | $300 – $800 | $750 – $2,500 | $2,500+ |
| Double Strike (any mint) | $500+ | $1,500+ | $5,000+ | $15,000+ |
| ★ = Premier condition rarity 1935–1947 (PCGS CoinFacts) · Values based on PCGS price guide and recent Heritage/Legend auction results | ||||
📱 CoinHix gives you a fast on-the-go way to cross-check any grade against live market comps before you buy or sell — a coin identifier and value app.
While 1935 is not known for collectible die varieties — no significant RPMs or doubled dies have been confirmed — several types of minting errors can make individual examples dramatically more valuable. Below are the most important error types to look for, ranked by typical collector premium. Each error's value depends heavily on severity, visibility, and the overall grade of the coin.
An off-center strike occurs when the blank planchet is not properly centered between the dies at the moment of striking. The resulting coin shows the Walking Liberty design shifted to one side, with a corresponding crescent of blank, unstruck planchet visible at the opposite edge. The severity ranges from minor (5–10% off-center) to dramatic (50%+ off-center).
Visually, look for a visible arc of bare silver at one edge of the coin while the design on the opposite side appears cramped or fully complete. The most valuable off-center strikes retain a clearly visible date and, if applicable, a legible mint mark — these features are the first to disappear as the shift percentage increases, dramatically affecting value.
Collector demand is strong for dramatic off-center Walker halves because the series already commands a premium in high grades. A 15–50% off-center example with a full visible date in MS grades can realize $750–$2,500 or more at auction. Comparable undated Walking Liberty off-center halves have sold in the five-figure range, confirming significant demand for dramatic, problem-free examples.
A double strike error occurs when a coin that has already been struck escapes the collar and is fed back between the dies, receiving a second impression that partially or fully overlaps the first. On Walking Liberty halves, this produces two ghosted images of Liberty and the eagle, sometimes rotated or offset from each other at dramatic angles — among the most visually striking errors in all of American numismatics.
The diagnostic feature is a second complete or partial impression of the design visible on one or both faces. Unlike doubled die errors (which originate in die preparation and show a uniform shift), double strikes show irregular, often dramatic offsets. The most valuable examples are those where both impressions are sharply defined and the coin's date is clearly legible on at least one of them.
Walking Liberty double strikes are extremely rare in the marketplace. An undated S-Mint Walking Liberty half dollar with a dramatic double-strike and off-center combination sold at Heritage Auctions for $32,900, establishing the top end of what a dramatic Walker double strike can realize. A confirmed and clearly dated 1935 example in Mint State would attract intense competition from error collectors and registry-set builders alike.
A clipped planchet error occurs when the punching machine that cuts blank discs from the silver strip overlaps an area that has already been punched — or clips the edge of the strip itself — resulting in a coin with a straight or curved piece missing from its edge. Curved clips (the most common type) result from a circular overlap with a prior punch hole; straight clips come from the strip's edge.
The telltale sign is an irregular, concave arc along the coin's edge, often accompanied by the "Blakesley effect" — a corresponding weakness in the opposite rim directly across from the clip. On a Walking Liberty half dollar, check the reeded edge carefully all the way around; a true clip will show a smooth, concave bite into the coin's metal rather than damage from post-mint handling.
Value scales directly with clip size: a minor clip (under 5% of coin diameter) adds a modest premium of $75–$150 over the coin's normal value in a given grade. A dramatic clip covering 15–25% of the coin's circumference on an MS-grade 1935 half dollar can push the value to $500–$700 or more. An MS-64 clipped planchet 1935 half dollar sold for approximately $700, based on comparable documented sales referenced by errorcoins.org.
Lamination errors arise from impurities or delamination flaws within the 90% silver planchet itself. When foreign material — gases, oxides, or non-silver inclusions from the rolling process — becomes trapped between layers of the silver alloy, the material can separate along a horizontal plane during or after striking. The result is a thin flap, crack, or peel of metal on the coin's surface that looks like a layer lifting away.
On a 1935 Walking Liberty half dollar, examine both the obverse field and Liberty's figure, as well as the eagle's reverse, for any area where the metal appears cracked, blistered, or partially lifted. Active laminations may still be adhering to the coin (increasing value); fully detached or missing laminations leave a shallow crater in the surface (less desirable). A 10× loupe will reveal the hairline crack at the lamination boundary.
An ANACS-certified 1935-S Walking Liberty half dollar with a documented lamination error in F-15 grade has been valued at $48–$60, compared to normal F-15 values of $26–$30 for that issue. Major lamination errors on Mint State coins — particularly large, dramatic peels covering significant design elements — can command significantly higher premiums well into the hundreds of dollars from specialist error collectors.
| Mint | Mint Mark | Mintage | Est. Surviving | Key Challenge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | None | 9,162,000 | ~460,000 | Scarce above MS-66; common in circulated grades |
| Denver | D | 3,003,800 | ~150,000 | Lowest mintage; weak Liberty head strike; only ~11 coins at PCGS MS-66 |
| San Francisco | S | 3,854,000 | ~190,000 | Premier condition rarity 1935–1947; most survivors heavily bag-abraded |
| Total | — | 16,019,800 | ~800,000 | No Proof issues were struck in 1935 |
Liberty's head is flat with no hair detail. Breast and leg outlines visible but smooth. Eagle's breast feathers fully merged. All inscriptions readable. Worth $21–$37 depending on mint. Mostly bullion value — buy for silver content.
High points — Liberty's knee, breast, and head — show flattening but retain some detail. Partial mint luster visible in lower relief areas. Eagle breast shows wear on the highest feathers. Worth $30–$475 across the three mints. 1935-S commands a premium at this level.
No trace of wear; full mint luster. Heavy bag marks from contact with other coins in mint bags. The 1935-D and 1935-S frequently show characteristic weak strikes on Liberty's head at this level. Worth $70–$775; strike quality matters as much as the grade number.
Full luster, sharp strike, and minimal contact marks. At MS-65 and above for the 1935-S, both sharp strike AND clean surfaces must coexist — an extremely rare combination. Worth $150 to $67,563. Any MS-64+ from San Francisco or Denver should be PCGS/NGC certified.
🔍 CoinHix helps you match your coin's condition against verified graded examples from major auction archives — a coin identifier and value app.
The right selling venue depends heavily on your coin's grade and whether it's certified. Here are the four best options:
The world's largest numismatic auction house consistently achieves strong prices for 1935-D and 1935-S half dollars in MS-64 and up. Competitive bidding among serious Walker collectors routinely pushes results above retail price guide levels — the $67,563 sale of the MS-67 1935-S was achieved at a major specialty auction. Ideal for coins valued over $500 with PCGS or NGC certification.
eBay provides excellent reach for circulated and lower Mint State 1935 half dollars. Check recent sold prices for 1935 Walking Liberty halves with actual completed listings before setting your price. Certified coins (PCGS or NGC slabs) consistently achieve 20–30% more than raw coins in the same grade on the platform. Use high-resolution photos of both sides and the slab label.
Local dealers offer immediate payment without shipping or auction fees, which makes them attractive for circulated examples worth $21–$85. Expect to receive 60–75% of retail value — dealers must build in their margin. The convenience is worth the discount for lower-grade coins, but for MS-63 and above (especially 1935-S or 1935-D), a major auction or online sale will almost always net more.
Reddit's r/Coins4Sale community is a viable option for mid-grade raw coins where the fee-free transaction makes the effort worthwhile. Pricing transparency is excellent — buyers research comparables actively. Particularly useful for circulated 1935 halves in Fine to AU grades where auction consignment minimums make major houses impractical. Include clear photos and request a reasonable price based on completed eBay comps.
A 1935 Walking Liberty Half Dollar is worth roughly $21–$50 in circulated grades, reflecting its 90% silver content and collector demand. In Mint State, values climb sharply: the Philadelphia issue ranges from about $70 to $2,500 in gem grades, the 1935-D reaches $8,400+ in CAC-approved MS-66+, and the 1935-S — the premier condition rarity — has sold for as much as $67,563 in MS-67 at Legend Rare Coin Auctions (2023).
The 1935-S (San Francisco Mint) is the most valuable of the three 1935 Walking Liberty Half Dollars in Mint State grades. PCGS CoinFacts explicitly identifies it as the rarest Walking Liberty half dollar in Mint State condition from 1935 through 1947. An MS-67 example sold for $67,563 at Legend Rare Coin Auctions in April 2023. The 1935-D is the second most challenging in top grades, with only 11 combined coins certified MS-66 at PCGS.
The mint mark on a 1935 Walking Liberty Half Dollar is located on the reverse (eagle side), on the lower left area near the pine branch below the eagle. Philadelphia coins carry no mint mark — that is intentional, not a missing letter. Denver coins show a 'D' and San Francisco coins show an 'S.' The letters can be small and may require a magnifier on worn examples to read clearly.
All 1935 Walking Liberty Half Dollars contain 0.36169 troy ounces of actual silver in their 90% silver, 10% copper composition. Melt value fluctuates daily with the silver spot price. Even the most worn circulated examples trade above melt because of numismatic demand — typically $21 to $25 in G-4 grade regardless of which mint struck them. Always check a current silver price calculator for the live melt floor.
Yes. Significant minting errors can make a 1935 half dollar worth far more than a normal example. Major off-center strikes (15–50% off-center with a visible date) can bring $750–$2,500+. Double strikes are extremely rare and can command five-figure prices based on comparable Walking Liberty error sales. Clipped planchet and lamination errors add more modest premiums. No major collectible die varieties (RPMs or DDOs) are documented for 1935.
Despite its mintage of 3,854,000 — actually higher than the 1935-D — the 1935-S is the premier condition rarity of the year because far fewer collectors set aside San Francisco coins in 1935. Most surviving 1935-S half dollars carry heavy bag abrasions and were never saved in pristine condition. A Gem 1935-S must have both sharp strike and clean surfaces — a rare combination — making MS-65 and higher examples exceptionally scarce and valuable.
Start by examining Liberty's left leg, breast, and head — the first areas to show wear on circulated examples. The eagle's breast and left wing feathers are the key reverse checkpoints. In circulated grades, look for flat high points and loss of fine detail. In Mint State, assess luster quality, contact marks, and strike sharpness. Liberty's left hand and the olive branch stem are the most common weak-strike spots. Consider professional grading (PCGS or NGC) for any coin above MS-63.
Visually, both carry the identical Adolph Weinman Walking Liberty design. The key difference is the 'D' mint mark on the lower-left reverse of the 1935-D. Strike quality is also distinct: 1935-D coins frequently show weakness on Liberty's head — an unusual diagnostic for the series — while 1935-P strikes tend to be sharper overall. In Gem Mint State, the 1935-D is significantly rarer and more valuable because of this characteristic weak-strike problem.
Never clean a 1935 Walking Liberty Half Dollar. Cleaning destroys the original mint luster, creates hairline scratches visible under magnification, and results in a coin that will receive a 'Details — Cleaned' designation from PCGS or NGC. A cleaned MS-65 specimen may sell for a fraction of a problem-free example. Buyers and grading services can instantly detect cleaning. Selling a coin 'as-is' in original condition always results in better returns.
For high-grade examples (MS-64 and up), major auction houses like Heritage Auctions or Legend Rare Coin Auctions provide competitive bidding and strong collector demand. For circulated or lower uncirculated examples, eBay provides excellent exposure, especially for certified coins. Local coin dealers offer instant payment but typically lower prices. Reddit's r/Coins4Sale community suits raw mid-grade coins. Any coin in MS-63 or higher should be PCGS or NGC certified before sale.
Use the free calculator — it takes under 60 seconds and covers all three mints, conditions, and errors.
Calculate My Coin's Value →