Price Guide for 1936 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: $11.00 – $1,955.00Uncirculated: $23.00 – $9,200.00
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eBayCirculated: $11.11 – $155.00Uncirculated: $15.50 – $2,465.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $17.00 – $60.00Uncirculated: $65.00 – $37,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $240.00 – $15,862.50Uncirculated: $5.60 – $80,500.00
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eBayCirculated: $32.00 – $1,336.00Uncirculated: $1,127.00 – $8,750.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $500.00 – $1,000.00Uncirculated: $1,175.00 – $155,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $12.00 – $800.00Uncirculated: $1.50 – $35,250.00
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eBayCirculated: $12.61 – $358.03Uncirculated: $46.00 – $2,280.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $17.00 – $225.00Uncirculated: $250.00 – $37,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $20.00 – $600.00Uncirculated: $1.00 – $38,775.00
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eBayCirculated: $9.50 – $152.50Uncirculated: $13.62 – $2,310.99
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $17.00 – $110.00Uncirculated: $125.00 – $27,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $79.00 – $5,760.00
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eBayCirculated: $99.00Uncirculated: $40.10 – $799.95
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $19.00 – $150.00Uncirculated: $175.00 – $7,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $15,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $17,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $60.00Uncirculated: $174.00 – $1,028.13
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eBayUncirculated: $176.00 – $799.95
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $20.00 – $235.00Uncirculated: $250.00 – $2,750.00
Design and Specifications of the 1936 Half Dollar
The 1936 Half Dollar features the iconic Walking Liberty design, introduced in 1916 as part of a broader effort to beautify American coinage. This design, created by sculptor Adolph A. Weinman, is widely considered one of the most beautiful in U.S. coinage history.
The year 1936 saw the United States continuing its recovery from the Great Depression, with the economy showing signs of improvement under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal policies. The production of silver coins, including the Half Dollar, reflected this gradual economic upturn.
| Weight | 12.5 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 30.6 mm |
| Mint Marks | D, S |
| Composition | 90% silver, 10% copper |
| Obverse Design | Walking Liberty, designed by Adolph A. Weinman |
| Reverse Design | Eagle perched on a mountain crag, designed by Adolph A. Weinman |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of a 1936 Half Dollar significantly impacts its value. While common in circulated grades, these coins become increasingly scarce in higher mint state conditions. Coins graded MS65 and above are particularly desirable and command substantial premiums.
Key factors affecting condition include:
1. Strike quality: Well-struck examples with full details, especially on Liberty’s hand and the eagle’s feathers, are more valuable.
2. Luster: Coins with original mint luster, free from cleaning or other impairments, are highly prized.
3. Surface preservation: Minimal contact marks, scratches, or other blemishes increase desirability.
4. Toning: Natural, attractive toning can enhance a coin’s appeal and value, particularly for collectors seeking eye-appealing specimens.
Mintage: 12,614,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, higher for well-preserved specimens
Mintage: 4,252,400
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, higher for well-preserved specimens
Mintage: 3,884,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, higher for well-preserved specimens
Additional factors influencing the 1936 Half Dollar’s value include:
1. Mint mark: While not rare, the Denver and San Francisco issues had lower mintages and may command slight premiums in higher grades.
2. Historical significance: As a Depression-era coin, it holds interest for collectors focused on this period of American history.
3. Design popularity: The Walking Liberty design is widely admired, maintaining steady collector demand.
4. Silver content: The coin’s 90% silver composition provides an intrinsic value floor, which can affect overall worth, especially for lower-grade examples.
5. Set completion: Collectors assembling date and mint mark sets of Walking Liberty Half Dollars may increase demand for high-grade examples.
