1936 Walking Liberty Half Dollar

1936 was the most prolific year yet for Walking Liberty half dollars, as more than 20 million were made across all three operating mints (Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco) that year in the United States. As numismatic observers will note, a large uptick in coin production happened around 1934 for virtually coin denominations, as the more dire effects of the Great Depression waned and demand for coins increased.

Across the board, 1936 Walking Liberty half dollars are more common than for any previous year in the series. That makes 1936 halves popular coins not only among date-and-mintmark series collectors, but also those who are seeking higher-grade Walking Liberty half dollars as type coins.

A glance at the mintage and value (for Good-4 coins) breakdown for the three regular-issue 1936 Walking Liberty half dollars tells more of the story. Also note the inclusion of the 1936 proof Walking Liberty half dollar, the first proof coin of the series.

• 1936, 12,614,000 minted; $10

• 1936-D, 4,252,400; $10

• 1936-S, 3,884,000; $10

• 1936 Proof, 3,901; $7,000

In MS-60 grades, these same three coins retail for about $45, $80, and $130, respectively, which is far less expensive than uncirculated coins in that grade range for any of the earlier pieces, collectively. Don’t let the allure of a bargain get the better of you, though. Paying a little more for sharply struck examples of those specimens will always pay off when it comes time to sell your coins.