Price Guide for 1915 Half Dollar Variants
This guide presents price ranges for variants from three sources: eBay sales, third-party auctions, and PCGS guides. Values are shown for various conditions, allowing collectors to compare across different market segments. Price estimates may vary between sources, especially for rarer variants.
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $28.00 – $1,840.00Uncirculated: $690.00 – $42,300.00
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eBayCirculated: $20.99 – $1,299.99Uncirculated: $1,136.20 – $3,980.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $50.00 – $1,600.00Uncirculated: $1,750.00 – $17,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $20.00 – $805.00Uncirculated: $7.60 – $29,900.00
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eBayCirculated: $9.99 – $699.99Uncirculated: $50.00 – $2,750.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $27.00 – $700.00Uncirculated: $750.00 – $20,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $16.00 – $950.00Uncirculated: $6.00 – $7,800.00
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eBayCirculated: $9.00 – $730.00Uncirculated: $187.50 – $3,270.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $27.00 – $700.00Uncirculated: $750.00 – $15,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $518.00 – $1,498.13Uncirculated: $10.50 – $33,350.00
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eBayUncirculated: $760.01 – $1,945.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $750.00 – $27,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,093.00 – $48,875.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $875.00 – $35,000.00
Design and Specifications of the 1915 Half Dollar
The 1915 Half Dollar marked the debut year of the iconic Walking Liberty design, which replaced the Barber Half Dollar. This new design, created by sculptor Adolph A. Weinman, is widely considered one of the most beautiful in American coinage history. It features Lady Liberty striding towards the sunrise, symbolizing the nation’s forward progress, while the reverse depicts a bold eagle perched on a mountain crag.
The Walking Liberty Half Dollar would continue to be minted until 1947, becoming a beloved classic among collectors and numismatists.
| Weight | 12.5 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 30.6 mm |
| Mint Marks | D, S (Denver and San Francisco) |
| Composition | 90% silver, 10% copper |
| Obverse Design | Liberty Walking, designed by Adolph A. Weinman |
| Reverse Design | Eagle with wings spread, designed by Adolph A. Weinman |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of 1915 Half Dollars has a significant impact on their value. As the first year of issue, many were saved as souvenirs, but high-grade examples remain scarce. Uncirculated specimens, particularly those grading MS65 or higher, are extremely rare and highly valued by collectors.
Key factors affecting condition include:
1. Strike quality: Well-struck coins with full details, especially on Liberty’s hand and the eagle’s feathers, command premium prices.
2. Luster: Original mint luster is highly prized, with coins displaying full, cartwheel luster being most desirable.
3. Surface preservation: Coins free from notable marks, scratches, or wear are more valuable.
4. Toning: Natural, attractive toning can enhance a coin’s appeal and value, particularly for the San Francisco and Denver issues.
Mintage: 138,000
Rarity Scale: Scarce
Circulation Status: Limited Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Extremely rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: High, especially for well-preserved specimens
Mintage: 3,694,000
Rarity Scale: Uncommon
Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate to High
Mintage: 1,694,000
Rarity Scale: Uncommon
Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate to High
First-year status: As the inaugural issue of the Walking Liberty design, the 1915 Half Dollar holds special appeal for collectors, often commanding a premium over later dates.
Low Philadelphia mintage: The extremely low mintage of the Philadelphia issue makes it a key date in the series, with well-preserved examples being particularly valuable.
Historical significance: Minted during World War I, these coins carry additional historical interest, potentially increasing their appeal to both numismatists and history enthusiasts.
Complete set demand: Collectors attempting to assemble complete date and mint mark sets of Walking Liberty Half Dollars create steady demand for all 1915 issues, particularly in higher grades.
