1940-S 50C (Regular Strike)

Series: Walking Liberty Half Dollars 1916-1947

PCGS MS67+

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PCGS MS67+

PCGS #:: 6610

Designer:: Adolph Alexander Weinman

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 30.00 millimeters

Weight:: 12.50 grams

Mintage:: 4,550,000

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $35,250 • MS67 • 04-24-2013 • Heritage Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (1)

Major Varieties

1940-S 50C

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Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts' opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity By Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity By Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
All Grades	225,000	R-1.8	35 / 66 TIE	35 / 66 TIE
60 or Better	35,000	R-2.6	41 / 66 TIE	41 / 66 TIE
65 or Better	6,000	R-3.8	39 / 66 TIE	39 / 66 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	225,000
60 or Better	35,000
65 or Better	6,000

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-1.8
60 or Better	R-2.6
65 or Better	R-3.8

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	35 / 66 TIE
60 or Better	41 / 66 TIE
65 or Better	39 / 66 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	35 / 66 TIE
60 or Better	41 / 66 TIE
65 or Better	39 / 66 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS67+ PCGS grade	Bob R. Simpson Collection
1	MS67+ PCGS grade
1	MS67+ PCGS grade
4	MS67 PCGS grade
4	MS67 PCGS grade
4	MS67 PCGS grade
4	MS67 PCGS grade
4	MS67 PCGS grade	Heritage 4/2013:4301, $35,250
4	MS67 PCGS grade
4	MS67 PCGS grade

#1 MS67+ PCGS grade

Bob R. Simpson Collection

#1 MS67+ PCGS grade

#4 MS67 PCGS grade

Heritage 4/2013:4301, $35,250

#4 MS67 PCGS grade

David Hall:

The 1940-S has the distinction of being the worst struck of all the Walking Liberty Half Dollars. The typical 1940-S is very weakly struck at Ms. Liberty's left hand with many specimens showing no hand detail at all. The phrase "flat as a pancake" is very appropriate for this issue. Decently struck examples do exist, but they are scarce. The 1940-S is the rarest Walker of the 1940s in both uncirculated and Gem condition. It is quite a bit rarer than the more highly touted 1941-S. The 1941-S gets more attention because of a holdover from the days of coin albums when the Walking Liberty half dollar set came in two albums, the 1916-1940 issues in one and the 1941-1947 issues in another. The 1941-1947 albums were know as the "short set" and the 1941-S is the rarest coin in the "short set," hence it's popularity as a late date Walker rarity. However, the 1940-S is definitely rarer.