An old saying goes: “Find a penny, pick it up, all day long you’ll have good luck.” But if you come across a different kind of valuable coin—like the 1919-D Walking Liberty half dollar in near mint condition—you might be looking at more than just good fortune. While originally worth just 50 cents over a century ago, today that same coin could fetch over $100,000.

According to Gainesville Coins, the 1919-D Walking Liberty half dollar once sold for a record-breaking $270,250 at auction. While that’s still less than the sky-high value of certain silver dollars, which can reach $2 million in 2025, or rarer quarters from the 1820s worth $20,000 or more, the 1919-D’s true value lies in its condition. If you’re lucky enough to find one in exceptional shape, it could be worth a small fortune.

Finding a 1919-D Walker

Back in 1919, the Denver Mint released over 1.1 million Walking Liberty half dollars—often called 1919-D Walkers—for general use. That might sound like a lot, but many have since been lost, melted, or heavily damaged, making them tough to come by today. Collectors especially pursue the 1919 issue, followed by the 1921 series, as they attempt to complete the full Walking Liberty set, according to Coin Values.

Adding to the challenge, confirming the date and mintmark can be tricky. But the bigger hurdle is that few 1919-D Walkers were preserved. At the time, a single 50-cent coin had the same spending power as a large bill today—often too valuable to use casually. That’s what separates them from other sought-after coins like rare pennies currently worth $3,000.

Is It Worth Searching for a 1919-D Walker?

So far, no one has randomly discovered a flawless, uncirculated 1919-D Walking Liberty half dollar and kept it quiet. Both the Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) and Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS)—leading coin grading organizations—report that the highest-ever grade for a 1919-D Walker is Mint State 66 (MS66).

Even the CDN Greysheet, which tracks rare coin prices, confirms that only one MS66-graded 1919-D Walker is known to exist. In other words, finding one in that kind of pristine condition is incredibly rare.

Still, that doesn’t mean you should stop looking or toss out old coins without a second thought. Instead, it’s a strong reminder to stay alert and examine any “junk” coins carefully. Because if a 1919-D Walker ever turns up in your change jar or family collection, you won’t just be holding on to 50 cents—you could be holding a treasure worth thousands.

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