Many old coins are worth way more than their face value, and half-dollars are no exception. Some rare half-dollar coins have sold for hundreds of thousands—even millions—of dollars. If you’ve got a collection of old coins or just some change lying around, you might want to take a closer look!
Here’s a look at one half-dollar coin worth $1.5 million and four more that could bring you a fortune.
1. 1797 Draped Bust Half-Dollar – Worth $1.5 Million
One of the rarest half-dollars in history, the 1797 Draped Bust Half-Dollar, is valued at a staggering $1.5 million!
Why Is It So Valuable?
- Extremely rare: Only 3 known examples exist today.
- Historical significance: One of the first half-dollars minted in the U.S.
- Collector demand: High-grade versions are worth millions.
If you ever come across one, you’ve hit the jackpot!
2. 1838-O Capped Bust Half-Dollar – Worth $700,000+
This coin, minted in New Orleans (O mintmark), is one of the rarest half-dollars ever made.
Why Is It Valuable?
- Only 20 coins were struck, and only 9 are known to exist.
- It was the first half-dollar struck at the New Orleans Mint.
- A high-grade version sold for over $700,000 at auction.
3. 1796 Draped Bust Half-Dollar – Worth $500,000+
The 1796 half-dollar is another super rare and highly valuable coin.
Why Is It Special?
- Only 934 coins were minted, making it extremely scarce.
- Features a small eagle design, which was later changed.
- One of these coins sold for more than $500,000!
4. 1919-D Walking Liberty Half-Dollar – Worth $180,000+
The 1919-D Walking Liberty Half-Dollar is rare because of its low mintage and high demand.
What Makes It Valuable?
- Difficult to find in high grade due to circulation wear.
- Less than 1 million coins were struck at the Denver Mint.
- A well-preserved version can fetch over $180,000!
5. 1878-S Liberty Seated Half-Dollar – Worth $100,000+
This coin is rare because only a few were ever made.
Why Is It Worth So Much?
- Only 12 coins are known to exist.
- Features the Seated Liberty design, a classic in U.S. coin history.
- One of these coins sold for more than $100,000!
Final Thoughts
Half-dollars might seem like small change, but some can be worth a fortune. The 1797 Draped Bust Half-Dollar leads the pack at $1.5 million, but several others are also worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. If you have old half-dollars, check them carefully—you might be sitting on a hidden treasure!