1917 50C Walking Liberty Half Dollar PCGS MS65

Helpful PCGS MS65 Price Information:

Collector's Universe: $1,250.

Coin Dealer Newsletter: $780.

Relevant auction records can be found below this listing 

Here’s an attractive gem state piece in the classic PCGS Old Green Holder to add to your collection.

David Hall writes, “The 1917 Philadelphia is the most common of the early date (1916-1929) Walking Liberty half dollars in all grades. Mint state examples are usually well struck. Gems have the white satin look of the early Walkers. Gems are available but scarce relative to other denominations. Typically, the smaller denominations were saved more than the larger denominations during this era as face value was an issue when collectors of the day decided which coins to save. It cost a lot less to save new pennies and nickels than it did to save quarters and half dollars…. half dollars were probably saved in the smallest quantities during the pre-World War II years.”

PCGS has graded 459 as MS65 with 149 finer.

Adolph A. Weinman, the sculptor-medalist who crafted the beautiful Walking Liberty half dollar. Photo taken in 1912. Photo: The Century Association Archives Foundation.

The entry of the United States into World War I in April of 1917 resulted in a tremendous increase in demand for minor and subsidiary coins. This is reflected in the massive production of half dollars at the Philadelphia Mint that totaled 12,292,000 pieces. This was a fifty percent increase over the previous record set in 1876.

Most of the 1917(P) half dollars are quite well struck, while a small percentage are extremely so. The quality of this issue is superior to that of 1916 and would be a better choice for a type coin. Writes NGC Coin Explorer, “The half dollars of 1916 and early 1917 display textured fields that were incorporated into the artist's original models. During 1917 the U. S. Mint smoothed out the fields to extend die life and give the coins a more conventional appearance.” 

Relevant auction records (average $1,582): 

• 06/2024 GC @ $1,238. (toned)
• 06/2024 GC @ $3,485. 
• 05/2024 GC @ $1,295. 
• 04/2023 GC @ $   930. 
• 03/2023 SB @ $   960.