Grading U.S. 50 Cent Coins, pt. 3
Of the fifty cent coins minted in the United States, we are buying the following:
In addition, we buy any pre-1965 U.S. half-dollars if they are in large quantity. Call us toll-free at 877-770-7040 if you have questions.
Below you will find information about various details of grading U.S. 50 cent coins 
which you may use to appraise your coin values. These descriptions of grades use official American Numismatic Association (ANA) terminology, both in general descriptions of grades within this website, as well as coin-specific descriptions on these coin grading pages.*
Examples of coins in various grading conditions are shown, graded by various professional grading services companies, as indicated by their abbreviations. If you wish to get a fast, fair and free appraisal from professional coin dealers, go here for more information about how to ship your coins.
SILVER 50 CENT PIECES, 3 1 2
P:poor F:fair AG:about good G:good VG:very good F:fine VF:very fine EF:extra fine AU:about uncirculated MS:mint state (Uncirc.) PR:proof |
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1897 Barber half dollar
F-12 (NGC)
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1919 Liberty Walking 50 cents
EF-45 (PCI)
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1948 Franklin half dollar
MS-64 (NGC)
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AG-3/FR-2, The obverse grades AG-3. Liberty's head is outlined but nearly all other details of the obverse design are worn away. The date is worn but readable and the legend is merging into the rim. The reverse grades Fair 2 because the entire rim is worn away and design details are recognizable but heavily worn. |
AG-3, Obverse: Walking Liberty's figure is outlined and nearly all details are worn away. The legend is visible but half worn away; date is weak but readable. The rim merges with the lettering in the legend. Reverse: Eagle is outlined but all of the feather detail is worn away. Letters of the legend merge with the rim. |
VG-8, Well worn overall. Obverse: Franklin's head is weak with most hair details from temple to ear worn smooth. Letters in legends and date are gold. Designer's initials and ear are visible; rim is complete. Reverse: Entire Liberty bell is worn and very little detail remains. Straps on beam are weak but are visible. The rim merges with letters of legends. |
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G-6, Overall the Barber half dollar design elements are heavily worn but the rim is complete on both sides. Obverse: Liberty is worn flat; recessed areas may show some detail. The date is readable. The rim may be worn into tops of a few letters. First letter of LIBERTY in Liberty's head wreath is identifiable. Reverse: The rim is complete except for dates and Mints known to exhibit weak strikes. |
G-4, OBV: Entire walking Liberty half dollar design is worn, with very few details remaining. The legend is readable. The date is weak but visible, although the top may be worn flat. The rim is nearly complete but flat. REV: Eagle is completely outlined but is worn nearly flat. Legend and motto lettering worn but clearly visible. |
F-12, Moderate to heavy wear evenly over entire Franklin half dollar. OBV: Details of hair visible only on side and back of head. Designer's initials clearly visible but weak. Part of cheek is flat from wear. REV: Parts of straps on beam almost smooth. Most of lower lines on bell are worn smooth. Rim is full. |
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VG-8, Design elements are clear, but flat, lacking details: OBV: Liberty's face details are heavily worn; entire head area is weak. 3 letters in LIBERTY are discernible; rim is complete. REV: Small amounts of detail on the eagle remain. Parts of motto and eagle's eye are visible. Arrow and leaves are flat; most of the shield is very weak. |
G-6, OBV: All design details worn. Rim has an edge in several locations. Date and motto are virtually complete and are stronger than the G-4. REV: A few feathers are detectable on the eagle's upper and lower left wing. Edge of rim visible in several locations. |
VF-20, Wear is even and moderate. OBV: 75 percent of strands of hair visible. Some hair detail visible around the ear. Cheek lightly worn but bold. REV: Bell is worn but bold. Although most details of beam are visible, wear evident on beam. Lines flat across bottom of liberty bell near crack. |
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GRADING U.S. 50-CENT COINS |
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BARBER |
LIBERTY WALKING |
FRANKLIN |
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VG-10, More details begin to show in the silver 50 cent piece design elements. OBV: Parts of top leaves in Liberty's head wreath are visible. Five of the letters in LIBERTY are detectable. REV: More details begin to emerge on the eagle's wings and leg feathers and on the shield. |
VG-8, OBV: Entire design is weak, well worn, but clear. Drapery across Liberty's body is partially visible, but most details on skirt are worn smooth. All letters in legends, date are clear; motto top may be weak. Rim is complete. REV: 1/3 of eagle feathers visible. Large feathers on ends of wings are well separated; eagle's eye is visible. All letters clear, rim is full. |
VF-30, Wear is light and all major features are sharp. OBV: Spotty wear evident on jaw, cheek and on hair at shoulder and behind the ear. REV: 50% of line details at bottom of bell worn smooth. Straps of beam visible. Wear evident on Liberty bell lettering, but some detail visible. |
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Barber half dollar F-12, Considerable wear evident. OBV: shown. All letters in LIBERTY are present although "BER" may be weak. Details emerge on upper row of wreath leaves;t lower row worn smooth. REV: ½ eagle feathers visible. Horizontal shield lines merged; vertical lines separated. Legend letters worn but clear. Wear spots in the center of the neck, motto and arrows. |
VG-10 walking Liberty half dollar: OBV: Outline of Liberty's right breast begins to emerge. Laurel and oak branches carried in Liberty's left hand are bolder than in VG-8. REV: A third of eagle's large feathers and two-thirds of small feathers on eagle's left wing are visible. |
EF-40, Light wear on highest points of Ben Franklin half dollar design elements. OBV: Wear discernible on high points of cheek, hair behind ear and on shoulder. REV: Slight wear on high points of beam straps and lines on bottom of bell, but design elements clearly defined and partially separated. Lettering on center of bell is worn away. |
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F-15, Moderate wear is evident. OBV: All letters in LIBERTY are complete, although lower part of BER may appear slightly weak. Details on the wreath evidence moderate wear but are complete. REV: Horizontal shield lines are separated and more details on eagle's feathers are emerging. |
F-12, OBV: Lines in Liberty's skirt are clear, except older coins where only ½ are visible. Right leg is worn slightly. Left leg is worn nearly flat; sandal worn but visible. Center of Liberty's torso is worn, but some garment is visible. REV: Eagle's breast is worn smooth. ½ of wing feathers visible though well-worn in spots. Rim is full. Top two layers of feathers can be seen on left wing. |
EF-45, Very light wear on highest points. Half of Mint luster still present. OBV: Slight wear on cheek and hair behind ear and along the shoulder. Hair details on the back of the head are sharp. REV: High points of straps around the beam are slightly worn. Lines on bottom of Liberty bell are clearly defined and separated, but are worn. |
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Sell us your 50 cents pieces ...
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VF-20, Moderate even wear is visible, but all design elements are sharp. OBV: LIBERTY is complete and Liberty's hair and ribbon are worn but bold. Half of details show in wreath's leaves. Bottom folds in Liberty's cap are full. REV: Half of the details of eagle's feathers are clear. Wear spots are evident on the eagle's wings, tail and legs. All shield details are worn but clear. The motto is clear. |
F-15, OBV: Liberty's right breast is almost completely outlined and her left breast is beginning to show. More details on the sandal can be seen. Liberty's body appears to be more rounded and looks more sculptured. REV: Two-thirds of eagle's feathers are visible and the eagle's body appears to be more rounded. |
AU-50, Seventy-five percent of Mint luster remains. Traces of wear on highest design points. OBV: Traces of wear on cheek, hair left of the ear and on shoulder. REV: Traces of wear detectable on lettering in center of bell and on rim at bottom of bell. |
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VF-25 Barber half dollar: OBV: Wreath on Liberty head appears more three-dimensional although weakness is sometimes detectable near Liberty's eye. Bottom folds of Liberty's cap are fuller. Hair ribbon is more distinct. REV: More details are emerging on the shield and the eagle's feathers tips of his wings and tail feathers. |
VF-20 walking Liberty half dollar: OBV: Liberty's left breast is full, but outline is weak. Her body is somewhat rounded, especially left leg down to her knee. Wear spots show on her head, breast, arms and foot. Lines on her skirts are visible, but may be weak on coins struck before 1921. REV: Entire eagle is lightly worn but most major details are visible. Eagle's breast, central part of legs and top edge of right wing are worn flat. |
AU-55, Nearly all of Franklin half dollar mint luster remains. Slight traces of wear. OBV: Traces of wear on highest points of cheek and hair left of ear. REV: Trace of wear evident on highest points of lettering on the Liberty bell. |
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VF-30, Light, even wear is evident throughout. The word LIBERTY and the headband are complete. The bottom row of leaves is weak but details are emerging. Cap folds are distinct. REV: All details of the shield are visible, although wear is present. Most details on the eagle's neck and tail are clear. The motto is complete on the ribbon held by the eagle's beak. |
VF-30, OBV: All major features sharp though wear shows on head, breasts, arms and legs. Left leg is rounded but worn from above knee to ankle. Gown line crossing Liberty's body is partially visible. Knee is flat. Both Liberty's breasts begin to appear three-dimensional. REV: Pupil in eagle's eye is visible. Eagle's breast, legs clearly separated but moderately worn and some feathers are visible between them. Feather ends and folds distinct on right wing. |
AU-58, Some signs of abrasions evident. OBV: Very slight wear on high points of cheek, shoulder and hair left of the ear. REV: Very slight wear detectable on straps around the beam, on the lines of the bell and lettering on the bell. |
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GRADING U.S. FIFTY CENT COINS |
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BARBER |
LIBERTY WALKING |
FRANKLIN |
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Barber half dollar, VF-35: OBV: The word LIBERTY and Liberty's headband are complete and bold. More details are evident on the bottom row of leaves in the wreath. Ribbon details are bolder. REV: shown. More feather details are emerging on eagle's neck, wing feathers and wing tips. Eagle's tail feather details are more distinct. The motto is bolder. |
VF-35, OBV: Wear spots evident on Liberty's head, breasts, arms and legs. Most of lines in her skirt are visible ad more folds in garment draping shoulders are visible. Details of sandal are clearer. Lines in Liberty's gown clearer than in VF-30. REV: Greater overall definition of feathers on eagle's wings and breast. Full detail of eagle's beak present. |
MS-60, No traces of wear detectable, May lack full Mint luster. Surfaces may be dull, spotted or heavily toned. May have heavy contact marks in all areas and noticeable patches of hairlines. Poor general eye appeal. |
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EF-40, Light wear is apparent on the barber half dollar design high points. OBV: The word LIBERTY is sharp and the band edges are clear. Light wear is visible on leaves of the wreath and on Liberty's cheek, hair above her forehead and her cap. REV: Light wear can be seen on the eagle's head, neck, wings and tail, but the details are clearly defined. Traces of Mint luster are present. |
EF-40, OBV: Wear on walking liberty half dollar head, breasts, arms and left leg. Nearly all lines on Liberty's garment are present. Details on sandal are complete. Breasts appear to be more raised and rounded than on lower grades. REV: All eagle wing feathers are distinct and bold. High points of eagle are slightly worn; ½ of breast and leg feathers visible. Central feathers below neck are well worn. Traces of mint luster present. |
MS-61 Franklin half dollar: No traces of wear permitted. May have a few heavy or numerous light contact marks in prime focal areas and secondary areas. May have noticeable hairline scratches on surfaces. Generally has unattractive eye appeal. |
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EF-45, Very light wear is detectable on the design high points. OBV: The word LIBERTY is sharp and the band edges are bold. Slight wear is detectable on high points of upper leaves of the wreath, on Liberty's cheek and on the hair above her forehead. REV: High points of eagle's head, neck, wings and talons are slightly worn. The lines of the eagle's center tail feather are clearly defined. Part of the Mint luster is present. |
Walking Liberty half dollar, EF-45: OBV: shown. Light wear spots evident on Liberty head, breasts, arms, left leg and foot. Virtually all lines in gown are clear. Sandal details are bold and complete. Knee is lightly worn but full and rounded. REV: Small flat spots show on high points of eagle's breast and legs. Nearly full detail present on wing feathers. Part of Mint luster remains. |
MS-62, uncirculated silver half dollar: may have a few distracting "bag marks" in prime and secondary focal areas. May have a few scattered hairline scratches. Luster may be impaired or original. Eye appeal generally acceptable. |
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1913 Barber half dollar,
reverse VF-35 (ICG)
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1938 Walking Liberty, rev.
AU-58 (NGCS)
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1962 Franklin half dollar, rev.
MS-65 (NGC)
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AU-50, A trace of wear is visible on the design high points: OBV: Liberty's cheek may be slightly flat with traces of wear, also in her hair below LIBERTY in the headband and on tips of the leaves in the wreath. REV: Traces of wear show on the eagle's head, neck, tips of his wings and tail feathers. Half of the mint luster is present. |
AU-50, OBV: Traces of wear visible on Liberty's head, breasts, arms and left leg. 1/2 of Mint luster is still present. REV: Traces of wear show on the high points of the eagle's wings and the center of his head and breast. Leg feathers are complete. |
MS-63, May have contact marks and minor blemishes in prime focal areas and a few hairlines. Must have attractive luster and be rather attractive to the eye. |
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AU-55, Small traces of wear are detectable on the Barber half dollar design high points. OBV: Small trace of wear is visible on the highest points of Liberty's hair below "BER" in "LIBERTY" in the headband. REV: A small trace of wear can be detected on the eagle's head, tips of his wings and the tip of his tail. Three-fourths of the Mint luster is present. |
AU-53 walking Liberty half dollar: OBV: Slight traces of wear can be seen on Liberty's head, breasts, arms and left leg. Definition of Liberty's garment stronger overall. Slightly more Mint luster evident than on AU-50. REV: Slight traces of wear on high points of eagle's wings, head, and breast. Eagle's body appears rounder and fuller than on AU-50. |
Franklin half dollar, MS-64: shown. May have light scattered contact marks, with few in prime focal areas. May have a few scattered or small patches of hairline scratches in secondary areas. Mint luster must be average, full original. Overall eye appeal should be pleasing. |
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AU-58, Slight trace of wear visible on high points of design elements. OBV: Some abrasion evident on Liberty's cheek and hair below LIBERTY headband. REV: Some abrasion evident on eagle's head, tips of wings and tip of tail. Nearly full mint luster may be present. |
AU-55, OBV: Only a trace of wear shows on highest points of Liberty's head, breasts and right arm. REV: A trace of wear is visible on the eagle's left leg between the breast and left wing. Three-quarters of the original Mint luster remains. |
Franklin half dollar, MS-65: shown. No trace of wear. Nearly perfect except for some small blemishes in secondary areas. May have a few scattered hairline scratches. Luster must be fully original. Eye appeal should be very pleasing. |
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GRADING U.S. HALF-DOLLAR SILVER |
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BARBER |
LIBERTY WALKING |
FRANKLIN |
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MS-60, Strictly Uncirculated. No traces of wear detectable on the coin. May have large detracting contact marks or damage spots or may be heavily toned. May have heavy concentrations of hairline scratches or large areas of unattractive scuff marks. May have rim nicks. Coin may appear to be dull or washed out. May lack full Mint luster. Eye appeal is generally poor. |
Walking Liberty 50 cent piece, AU-58: Small trace of wear visible on highest design points. OBV: Signs of abrasion detectable on Liberty's hair above temple, right arm, left breast. REV: shown. May detect slight abrasion on highest points of eagle's head, breast, legs and wings. |
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MS-62, Uncirculated Barber half dollar. No traces of wear detectable. A few large marks or nicks are permitted in the prime focal areas. Hairline scratches may be quite apparent. Large, unattractive scuff marks may be evident on major design elements; may have dull luster. Overall eye appeal is generally acceptable. |
MS-60, Uncirculated walking Liberty half dollar with no traces of wear. May lack full Mint luster and surfaces may be dull, spotted or heavily toned. A few small spots may be weakly struck. May have heavy contact marks in all areas and noticeable partial or continuous hairline scratches throughout. Eye appeal is often poor. |
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MS-63, Strictly Uncirculated. No traces of wear detectable. A few scattered heavy contact marks and numerous small contact marks may be evident. Hairline scratches are visible without magnification. Several detracting scuff marks or defects may be present on the design elements or in the fields. Mint luster may be slightly impaired. Overall, the coin is rather attractive. |
MS-61, Uncirculated silver 50 cents piece with no traces of wear. May have a few heavy or many light contact marks in prime and secondary focal areas. May contain noticeable patches or continuous hairline scratches on surfaces of the coin. Luster may be original or impaired. Eye appeal is generally unattractive. |
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To sell your old U.S. 50 cent coins ...
Call 877-770-7040 |
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
MONDAY - FRIDAY
US Central Time
GMT -6 |
... please call for free appraisal! |
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MS-64, Strictly uncirculated; no wear detectable. 1-2 moderately heavy contact marks may be present & several small contact marks in groups. 1-2 small patches of hairline scratches permitted under low magnification. Noticeable light scuff marks may be evident on design elements or fields. Average luster and strike. Overall, the coin is attractive, has pleasing eye appeal. |
MS-62, Uncirculated fifty cent piece with no traces of wear. May have distracting contact marks in prim and secondary focal areas. May have a few scattered or small patches of hairline scratches. May exhibit original or impaired luster. Eye appeal is generally acceptable. |
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MS-65, Strictly uncirculated Barber half dollar. No traces of wear detectable. A few, small scattered contact marks permitted or two larger mars. One or two small patches of hairline scratches (visible under magnification) are acceptable. Light scuff marks may show on design high points. Displays attractive and high quality luster and strike for the date and Mint. Overall quality is above average and eye appeal is very pleasing. |
MS-63, Mint State walking Liberty half dollar with attractive, original Mint luster. May contain distracting contact marks in prime focal areas and a few scattered hairline scratches. Overall appearance is attractive. |
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MS-66, Strictly uncirculated; no wear. No more than 2-3 minor, but noticeable contact marks permitted. A few, very light hairline marks allowed under magnification. 1-2 light scuff marks may show on frosted surfaces of design elements or fields. Must exhibit above average quality of strike and full, original mint luster. Eye appeal must be above average and very pleasing. |
MS-64, Attractive Mint State fifty-cent piece containing average to full Mint luster. May have light, scattered contact marks - a few in the prime focal areas. May have a few small, scattered hairline scratches. Overall eye appeal is pleasing. |
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MS-65, Mint State Liberty walking half dollar with no trace of wear. It is a nearly perfect coin except for a few small blemishes or minute nicks and contact marks. Contains full, original Mint luster. May be unevenly toned or lightly finger-marked. Overall eye appeal is very pleasing. |
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... please call us toll-free at:
Call 877-770-7040 |
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
MONDAY - FRIDAY
US Central Time
GMT -6 |
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Get a free appraisal and grading of your coin s from Midwest Mint. As experienced coin dealers, we can offer you top prices. Call 877-770-7040 for more information. |
