A 1917-S Obverse half dollar sold for $152,750 at Heritage Auctions — yet the most common 1917 Philadelphia example starts under $35. Five distinct varieties from one extraordinary year make this one of the most complex — and potentially valuable — sets in American coinage.
Select your coin's mint mark location, condition, and any known errors for an instant estimated value range.
If you're not yet sure which variety or grade your coin is, the 1917 Half Dollar Coin Value Checker with photo upload is a free third-party tool that lets you identify your coin from images before using the calculator above.
Not sure how to interpret your coin? Describe what you see — mint mark location, surface appearance, any unusual features — and get a tailored analysis.
Get an instant value estimate — just select your variety and condition.
Go to the Value Calculator →The 1917-S Obverse is the single most valuable of the five 1917 varieties, with an auction record of $152,750. Check whether your coin might be this key date.
For a full step-by-step in-depth 1917 half dollar identification walkthrough covering authentication and grading photos, use that complete reference. The table below gives a quick-reference snapshot across all five varieties and four condition tiers. Values shown are conservative retail ranges based on PCGS Price Guide data and recent auction results.
| Variety | Mintage | Worn (G–F) | Circulated (VF–EF) | Uncirculated (AU–MS63) | Gem MS (MS-65+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1917 Philadelphia COMMON | 12,292,000 | $28 – $50 | $50 – $110 | $130 – $375 | $525 – $3,500+ |
| 1917-D Obverse | 765,400 | $45 – $100 | $185 – $425 | $525 – $1,350 | $2,250 – $10,000+ |
| 1917-D Reverse | 1,940,000 | $40 – $75 | $200 – $420 | $600 – $1,750 | $3,000 – $16,800+ |
| 1917-S Obverse ★ KEY DATE | 952,000 | $65 – $175 | $450 – $1,750 | $2,750 – $7,250 | $10,500 – $85,000+ |
| 1917-S Reverse GEM RARITY | 5,554,000 | $35 – $60 | $115 – $450 | $600 – $1,900 | $3,250 – $18,500+ |
📱 CoinHix lets you photograph your coin and instantly estimate its value on the go — a coin identifier and value app.
The 1917 half dollar is defined by its five mintmark varieties — the result of a historic mid-year die change — plus a small number of documented mint errors. Understanding which variety you hold is the single most important factor in determining value. The cards below cover the five main varieties and key error types in order of collector desirability and premium potential.
The 1917-S Obverse is the crown jewel of the entire 1917 Walking Liberty set. Struck at San Francisco before the February 14, 1917 mint-director order relocated the mintmark to the reverse, this variety carries its "S" on the obverse below "IN GOD WE TRUST" — the earlier die configuration. With only 952,000 pieces struck, it is one of just nine Walking Liberty half dollar issues with a sub-million mintage.
To identify this variety, examine the obverse of the coin carefully with a 5× magnifier. The "S" sits to the lower right of the design field, directly beneath the motto. The reverse should be clean — no mint mark is present on the back in any location. Confirming both conditions before assuming this variety is essential, as the San Francisco Reverse is far more common.
Unlike most Walking Liberty dates where collector premiums only kick in at Mint State grades, the 1917-S Obverse commands genuine premiums even in VF and EF — reflecting real scarcity across all grades. The all-time auction record is $152,750 for an MS-67 example sold at Heritage Auctions on August 16, 2015 (confirmed by both NGC Auction Central and multiple price guide sources). Stack's Bowers recorded $40,800 for an MS-66 in June 2021.
The 1917-D Obverse is the scarcest coin by raw mintage among all five 1917 varieties, with only 765,400 pieces struck at the Denver Mint. This places it among nine Walking Liberty half dollars with sub-million mintages and makes it the most thinly produced of the two Denver issues by a wide margin of over 1.1 million coins. Numismatists classify it as a genuine condition rarity throughout the grading spectrum.
The diagnostic is identical to the S-Obverse: look for a "D" on the coin's obverse face, sitting below the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST." The back of the coin will show no mint mark. Denver branch-mint coins of this era frequently exhibit strike weakness at Liberty's head, the olive branch, and the date numeral area — this is a die-quality issue, not wear, and does not detract from grade so long as original luster is intact.
Gem Mint State examples (MS-65 and above) are genuinely rare and command five-figure auction results. Heritage Auctions sold an NGC MS-64 CAC example for $1,920 in January 2023. The Greysheet CPG® range for this variety spans up to $42,000 for the finest known specimens, reflecting the conditional scarcity at the top of the population.
The 1917-D Reverse was produced after Mint Director von Engelken's February 1917 order relocated the mintmark to the coin's reverse. With 1,940,000 pieces struck, it significantly outnumbers the D-Obverse, yet it harbors a paradox well known among serious Walking Liberty collectors: it is the scarcer variety in high Mint State grades. This "inverse rarity" exists because contemporaries saved the unusual obverse-mintmark coins as novelties while the reverse-mintmark coins circulated freely.
The "D" mint mark on this variety is found on the coin's reverse at approximately the 7 o'clock position, along the lower-left rim near the eagle's rocky perch. The obverse of the coin is completely clean — no "D" will be found below the motto. This placement was decreed to look more professional and avoid the appearance of a die defect that troubled the Mint Director.
In gem condition, recent auction results for this variety have significantly exceeded published price guides. Heritage Auctions sold a 1917-D Reverse MS-65+ PCGS example for $16,800 in August 2024. Earlier, a 2018 auction produced $43,200 for a top-grade example. These strong results reflect the genuine gem scarcity of the Reverse type.
The 1917-S Reverse is the second-highest-mintage issue of the year at 5,554,000 pieces from San Francisco, yet it is widely recognized as one of the most underappreciated conditional rarities in the entire Walking Liberty series. Struck after the mintmark was relocated to the reverse, it was not saved in significant quantities by collectors of the era — who were more fascinated by the novel obverse-mintmark coins — leaving gem survivors surprisingly thin.
Identification is straightforward: the "S" appears on the reverse of the coin at roughly the 7 o'clock position, along the lower-left rim, while the obverse is free of any mint mark. San Francisco branch-mint examples from this era frequently show strike weakness in Liberty's head and the upper-center of the design — a characteristic noted by both PCGS and NGC graders that does not penalize the grade when luster is intact.
Recent auction sales for gem examples have dramatically outpaced older price guides — a pattern numismatists call the "inverse rarity" of the 1917 Reverse types. Stack's Bowers sold an MS-65 example for $11,400 in August 2024, while Heritage Auctions recorded $9,600 for a gem in 2024–2025. The PCGS population at MS-67 is extremely thin, with the Greysheet CPG® listing reaching $65,000 at the top.
True mint errors on 1917 Walking Liberty half dollars are uncommon but documented across several categories. The most frequently encountered is the clipped planchet error, where the metal blank was improperly cut from the strip, resulting in a coin with a missing curved or straight section along its edge. The key diagnostic is the Blakesley Effect — a visibly weaker or wider rim directly opposite the clip — which confirms the error occurred before striking rather than as post-mint damage.
A minor Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) variety is documented for the 1917 issue, showing doubled impressions in the motto lettering visible under 10× magnification. Both impressions are raised (distinguishing true hub doubling from mechanical doubling). Repunched Mint Mark (RPM) varieties also exist on the branch-mint issues, documented in the Cherrypickers' Guide to Rare Die Varieties under FS (Fivaz-Stanton) designation numbers; the secondary impression of the "D" or "S" punch is the telltale sign. Delamination errors — where planchet metals fail to fully bond — are also recorded, producing visible splits, voids, or raised flaps on the coin's surface.
Off-center strikes with 10–50% of the design shifted to one side and the date still visible are the highest-premium error type, with dramatic examples potentially reaching $500 or more. Clipped planchets range from $75 to $400 depending on clip size and eye appeal. DDO examples in certified grade carry modest premiums consistent with their minor attribution status; RPMs command premiums tied to how clearly the secondary punch impression is visible under a 10× loupe.
Check the error boxes in the calculator to see how it affects your coin's estimated value.
Calculate Error Coin Value →
| Variety | Mint | Mintmark Position | Mintage | Relative Scarcity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1917 Philadelphia | Philadelphia | None | 12,292,000 | Most common; available in all grades |
| 1917-D Obverse | Denver | Obverse — below motto | 765,400 | Lowest mintage of 5 varieties; scarce all grades |
| 1917-D Reverse | Denver | Reverse — lower-left rim | 1,940,000 | Conditionally rare at MS-65+; gem survivors thin |
| 1917-S Obverse | San Francisco | Obverse — below motto | 952,000 | Key date; scarce in all grades, very rare in gem |
| 1917-S Reverse | San Francisco | Reverse — lower-left rim | 5,554,000 | Common circulated; gem survivors unexpectedly rare |
| Total 1917 Business Strikes | 22,503,400 | Combined production across all three mints | ||
Liberty appears as an outline. Her arm, hand, and skirt folds are worn smooth. Major design features visible but flat. Rim may touch letters. Most value comes from silver content plus a modest collector premium.
50–75% of Liberty's gown lines visible. Eagle's breast feathers show partial to good definition. Date and all lettering sharp. Light to moderate wear on highest design points. Attractive and collectible; branch-mint issues command strong premiums here.
Slight friction on highest points — Liberty's breasts, left hand, and skirt center; eagle's breast may show minor smoothing. Residual luster in protected areas. Called "sliders" historically; the AU-58 grade was created specifically for these coins. Desirable for rarer varieties.
No wear — original cartwheel luster unbroken. MS-63 may show bag marks; MS-65 (Gem) has minor imperfections under magnification only; MS-67 is exceptional and extremely rare for any 1917 variety. Full luster, blazing white satin surfaces typical of early Walkers.
📷 CoinHix helps you compare your coin's surfaces against graded reference images to match condition accurately — a coin identifier and value app.
Your choice of venue can significantly affect your final sale price. The right channel depends on your coin's value tier and how quickly you need to sell.
Best for coins graded MS-64 or higher, or any 1917-S Obverse / 1917-D Obverse in AU condition or better. Major auction houses reach the most serious Walking Liberty collectors worldwide and consistently deliver the highest realized prices for condition rarities. Expect 15–20% buyer's premium; consignment minimums apply.
Effective for circulated examples and common Philadelphia issues. Before listing, review recently sold prices for 1917 Walking Liberty half dollars on eBay to set a realistic asking price. Use PCGS or NGC certification for any coin above $200 to maximize buyer confidence and realized price. Fixed-price listings often outperform auctions for common circulated examples.
Quick and convenient for immediate cash, but expect wholesale prices — typically 50–70% of retail for common issues, potentially better for key dates if the dealer specializes in early American silver. Get quotes from two or three shops and compare to eBay sold listings before accepting an offer.
Good for reaching knowledgeable collectors directly with no seller fees. Post clear photos of both sides, state the grade honestly (raw or certified), and price competitively versus eBay comps. Best suited to coins in the $50–$500 range where auction-house minimums make formal consignment impractical.
Any 1917 half dollar you believe is AU-55 or better — and particularly any 1917-S Obverse or 1917-D Obverse in any grade — should be submitted to PCGS or NGC for third-party certification before selling. A genuine MS-63 1917-S Obverse is worth $7,250+ certified; unverified, it may sell for a fraction of that. PCGS and NGC certification typically costs $30–$65 per coin and pays for itself many times over on any key-date piece.
Use the free calculator — select your variety, condition, and any errors for an instant estimate.
Check My 1917 Half Dollar Value →