One of the most often used U.S. currencies to gather is the half-dollar. Although many aren’t worth more than their face value, the silver in the composition of earlier half-coins adds value.
Of course, the demand, quality, and rarity of any coin define its worth. Still, some of the most prized 50-cent pieces sell for thousands or even millions of dollars to coin collectors.
Look for some of these expensive half-coins before you spend your coins; one valued up to $1.5 million.
Why Are These Half-Dollar Coins So Valuable?
Several factors contribute to the high value of these coins:
- Rarity – Many of these coins had extremely low mintage (production numbers), and only a few remain today.
- Historical Significance – Coins from the early years of U.S. coinage (1790s–1800s) are highly sought after by collectors.
- Condition (Grade) – Coins in better condition (with minimal wear) sell for higher prices. Grading is done by services like PCGS and NGC, with “MS” (Mint State) and “SP” (Specimen) being the best.
- Material & Melt Value – Older half-dollars were made of high-quality silver, making them intrinsically valuable even if worn.
- Collector Demand – Unique or error coins attract serious collectors who are willing to pay a premium.
Detailed Breakdown of Each Coin
1. 1797 Draped Bust Half Dollar – Worth Up to $1.5 Million
- Mintage: Less than 3,000 were produced.
- Survival Estimate: Less than 200 coins still exist today.
- Significance: This was the final year of the Draped Bust design before being replaced.
- Recent Auction Price: A Mint State 66 (MS66) coin sold for $1,527,500 in 2015.
Why so valuable?
- It’s one of the earliest U.S. half-dollar coins.
- With so few left, high-quality versions are extremely rare.
- Collectors pay a premium for well-preserved 18th-century coins.
2. 1796 Draped Bust Half Dollar (Sixteen Stars) – Worth Up to $822,500
- Mintage: Unknown, but only 40 coins are confirmed to exist today.
- Design Significance:
- It has 16 stars, representing Tennessee joining the U.S. in 1796.
- The coin was quickly redesigned mid-year to add the extra star.
- Recent Auction Price:
- An MS66 coin sold for $822,500 in 2015.
- Even a low-grade version (heavily worn) is worth $47,000.
Why so valuable?
- It’s a one-year design variation, making it highly collectible.
- Many were lost or melted down over time, making surviving pieces rare.
- The coin’s historical connection to Tennessee’s statehood adds significance.
3. 1838-O Capped Bust Half Dollar Proof – Worth Up to $763,750
- Mintage: Only 20 proofs were originally made.
- Survival Estimate: Fewer than 12 are known to exist today.
- Historical Significance:
- The first proof half-dollar struck at the New Orleans Mint.
- The New Orleans Mint was a major early U.S. coin production facility.
- Recent Auction Price:
- An SP64-graded coin (Specimen Grade 64) sold for $763,750 in 2014.
Why so valuable?
- It’s an extremely rare proof coin, meaning it was made with special polished dies for collectors or officials.
- New Orleans Mint coins from this period are highly sought after.
- Only a handful are left, and proof coins are even rarer than regular strikes.
4. 1853-O Seated Liberty Half Dollar – Worth Up to $218,500
- Mintage: Only four coins are known to exist.
- Significance:
- This is a Type 1 variant, meaning it lacks arrowheads and rays (added in later years).
- The rarity was only confirmed when a new example was discovered in 2012.
- Recent Auction Price:
- A VG-8 condition (Very Good 8, meaning it’s heavily worn but identifiable) sold for $218,500.
Why so valuable?
- It’s one of the rarest varieties of the Seated Liberty half-dollar series.
- It was thought to be extinct until one was found in 2012, making it an exciting discovery for collectors.
5. 1796 Draped Bust Half Dollar (Fifteen Stars) – Worth Up to $1.6 Million
- Mintage: Low, but exact numbers are unknown.
- Design Significance:
- Features 15 stars, before Tennessee joined the Union (later versions had 16 stars).
- Recent Auction Price:
- A MS63-graded coin (high mint condition) sold for $373,750 in 2008.
- An uncirculated, pristine version could be worth $1.6 million or more.
Why so valuable?
- One of the earliest U.S. half-dollars ever minted.
- Its design represents an important historical moment in U.S. expansion.
- The demand for early American coins is extremely high.
Final Thoughts
Rare half-dollar coins are more than just old currency—they are pieces of American history with significant collector value. Whether it’s a Draped Bust half-dollar from the 1790s or a Seated Liberty half-dollar with a rare variation, these coins fetch high prices due to their scarcity, historical significance, and condition.
If you ever come across an old half-dollar, take a closer look! It might be worth much more than just 50 cents. Collectors and investors alike continue to hunt for these treasures, and new discoveries—like the 1853-O Seated Liberty half-dollar found in 2012—prove that valuable coins can still be out there.