1920-D 50C Walking Liberty Half Dollar PCGS MS64

Helpful PCGS MS64 Price Information:

Collector's Universe: $11,000.

Coin Dealer Newsletter: $8,200.

Relevant auction records can be found below this listing

Rare MS64 Example of a Desirable Walking Liberty Issue!

David Hall writes, “The 1920-D is a rare coin in high grades and a very rare coin in mint state. … the issue, like all early (pre-1934) Denver mint Walkers is a tough coin to find in Gem condition …. The 1920-D is usually decently struck. Luster can be satiny to somewhat frosty.” PCGS has graded 131 examples as MS64 with 61 finer.

The beautiful interior of the Denver Mint, where this rare piece was struck in 1920. Photo: Library of Congress.

The Denver Mint produced the scarcest half dollar for 1920 with its mintage of 1,551,000. The relatively low mintage of 1920-D half dollars foreshadowed an economic downturn in the agricultural sector and the overall U.S. economy. Between 1920 and 1921, the price of wheat dropped 62 percent, cotton fell 81 percent, and hogs lost 53 percent.

Significantly, net income per farm decreased by 72.6 percent during the same period. Half dollar mintages remained high in Philadelphia and San Francisco up to 1920, but that would soon change. Writes NGC Coin Explorer, “The 1920-D half dollar is elusive in grades VF and higher, with Mint State examples being in very short supply. Gems are truly rare…”

Relevant auction records (average $8,330.): 

• 05/2024 HA @ $8,700. (toned)
• 02/2022 DL @ $8,350. 
• 04/2021 GC @ $6,300. 
• 11/2020 SB @ $8,400. 
• 11/2020 SB @ $9,900. 

This exact coin previously appeared for sale in Heritage's 02/2009 auction and realized $4,313.