Where is the mint mark on a 1943 half-dollar? In 1943, the United States Mint produced hundreds of millions of Walking Liberty half dollars to help fund World War II efforts. These 90% silver half dollars are highly collected today for their historic significance.
If you have come across a 1943 half-dollar, you may be wondering where to look for the mint mark indicating which mint it was made at.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: The mint mark on a 1943 Walking Liberty half-dollar, when present, is located on the reverse side in front of the eagle’s talon. However, Philadelphia minted coins of that year did not have a mint mark.
In this detailed guide, we will cover everything you need to know about identifying the mint that produced your 1943 half dollar based on the coin’s mint mark – from where on the coin to look to what the different mint marks indicate.
Overview of 1943 Half-Dollar Mint Marks
D Mint Mark
Besides 53,190,000 no-mint mark coins produced in Philadelphia, there were also 11,346,000 coins bearing a D mint mark. Produced with the new zinc-plated steel composition, the ’43-D half-dollar features a clean, sharp mint mark indicative of the one year of production.
The 1943 D half dollar’s mintage of 11 million coins was slightly over the previous year’s D mint output. Yet with copper and nickel needed for World War II efforts, steel was the replacement of choice.
S Mint Mark
The San Francisco (S) Mint struck 1943 half-dollars with the same zinc-plated steel composition as the Denver coins. With a relatively small mintage of 13,450,000 pieces bearing an S mint mark, the ’43-S coin completed the production of steel half-dollar coins during World War II.
The 1943 S half-dollar mintage was comparable to the Denver Mint’s output for the year. Yet with Americans focused on winning WWII, collecting coins took a back seat. This resulted in most 1943 half dollars circulating extensively.
Today, well-worn ’43-S halves are plentiful compared to specimens showing sharp details in higher mint state grades.
1943 Half Dollar Mint Mark Locations
The 1943 half-dollar was minted in large quantities to meet the demand for coins during World War II. With nickel needed for the war effort, the 1943 half-dollar was made from silver instead of the usual copper-nickel composition.
Determining the mint mark location on a 1943 half-dollar is easy once you know where to look. Here’s a guide to finding the mint mark on this historic coin:
No Mint Mark – Philadelphia Mint
If there is no mint mark on the coin, it was minted at the main United States Mint facility in Philadelphia. Philadelphia-minted coins do not have a mint mark.
D Mint Mark – Denver Mint
A D mint mark signifies that the 1943 half-dollar was struck at the Denver Mint facility. On the 1943 half dollar, the D mint mark is located on the reverse side of the coin, in front of the eagle’s talons.
S Mint Mark – San Francisco Mint
An S mint mark indicates that the coin was produced by the San Francisco Mint. On the 1943 half dollar, the S mint mark can be found on the reverse side in front of the eagle’s talons.
These popular World War II-era coins draw interest from history buffs and collectors today. Knowing the minting details helps determine the rarity and potential value of individual coins. With millions having been struck across three Mints, there are plenty of these historic half-dollars around for collectors of all budgets.
Tips for Identifying Worn 1943 Half-Dollar Mint Marks
Identifying the mint mark on a worn 1943 half-dollar can be tricky, but there are some tips collectors can use:
Check In front Of the Eagle’s Talons
On the reverse (tails) side of the coin, the mint mark is located in front of the eagle’s talons. Carefully inspect this area with a magnifying glass to try to make out a small letter “D” (Denver), “S” (San Francisco), or no mint mark (Philadelphia).
The mint marks were recessed when originally minted, so they may still be faintly visible even on a worn coin.
Compare to Images of Known Examples
There are many high-resolution images online of 1943 half dollars from each mint. Compare the area on your coin to known Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco examples. You may notice subtle similarities that help identify the mint.
Consider the Surfaces and Quality
While there are exceptions, San Francisco coins are typically better struck and found with more lustrous surfaces. Compare the sharpness of detail and luster on your coin relative to images of coins from each mint. This may provide a clue as to its origin.
Weigh the Coin
The silver half dollars of 1943 weighed 12.5 grams when new per specifications. However, the average weights today are:
- Philadelphia Mint: 12.2 to 12.4 grams
- Denver Mint: 12.2 to 12.4 grams
- San Francisco Mint: 12.3 to 12.5 grams
Weighing your coin and comparing it to those average ranges could help identify the likely mint.
Seek Professional Analysis
If the mint mark remains ambiguous, coin experts can sometimes make an attribution based on more subtle details. Many professional coin dealers and third-party grading services offer their analysis and opinions for a modest fee.
Identifying mint marks on circulated coins can require some detective work. However, paying attention to the details, making careful comparisons, and seeking expert advice can often yield an accurate ID.
1943 Half Dollar Mint Mark Varieties and Errors
The 1943 half-dollar was minted in large quantities to meet the demand for currency during World War II. With three active mints in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco, there are some interesting varieties and errors to look for on 1943 half dollars.
No Mint Mark Variety
The Philadelphia mint produced the majority of 1943 half dollars. Coins from this mint typically have no mint mark. However, there is a rare variety where some Philadelphia coins were accidentally struck with a D mint mark.
These valuable coins are worth significantly more than regular Philadelphia coins with no mint mark.
Denver Mint Mark Variety
The D is located slightly to the left of the center of the coin and the eagle’s talons. There are no significant varieties for the 1943 Denver Mint half dollars.
San Francisco Mint Mark Variety
San Francisco coins feature an S mint mark in the same position as the Denver coins. While no major varieties exist, San Francisco coins are always more valuable to collectors.
Errors and Defects
Several types of errors and defects can be found in 1943 half dollars:
- Double strikes – Coins that were struck multiple times by the coin press, resulting in a doubling of design elements.
- Off-center strikes – Coins were not properly centered when struck, leaving the design to shift to one side.
- Clipped planchets – Unstruck circular coins cut unevenly from strip metal, resulting in curved or straight clipped edges.
- Strike-throughs – Design elements from a previous coin strike are visible on the current coin.
These types of errors tend to be quite rare. When found, they can sell for a significant premium over regular 1943 half-dollar coins.
Final Notes on 1943 Half Dollar Mint Marks
The 1943 half-dollar is a fascinating coin for collectors and history buffs alike. With no mint marks and the transition to wartime silver planchets, these coins have an intriguing backstory.
As we wrap up our overview of the 1943 half-dollar, here are some final notes to remember:
- All 1943 half dollars were struck at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco mints, but none have mint marks
- This was done to discourage hoarding of coins that contained precious metals during World War II
- 1943 half dollars are made of .359 fine silver instead of .900 fine silver
- Estimates suggest the mintage numbers were:
| Mint | Mintage |
| Philadelphia | 53,190,000 |
| Denver | 11,346,000 |
| San Francisco | 13,450,000 |
The transition in size, weight, and silver content make the 1943 halves interesting for any numismatist. They offer a tangible piece of American history from World War II.
For more information, see the detailed overviews on NGC and PCGS.
Where Is The Mint Mark On a 1943 Half-Dollar – Conclusion
We hope this guide has helped shed light on where to find the mint mark on your 1943 Walking Liberty half-dollar. Identifying which mint produced the coin can make a big difference in its collectability and value.
So be sure to carefully check for mint marks in the correct location – on the reverse side slightly in front of the eagle’s talons. And don’t forget that common Philadelphia mint coins lacked a mint mark that year. Happy treasure hunting!
