1940-S 50C MS66 Certification #83558286, PCGS #6610

CoinFacts Details

Expert Comments

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.

PCGS #

6610

Designer

Adolph Alexander Weinman

Edge

Reeded

Diameter

30.00 millimeters

Weight

12.50 grams

Mintage

4550000

Metal

90% Silver, 10% Copper

Pop Higher

180

Pop Lower

5346

Region

The United States of America

Price Guide

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - NGC Graded

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.
65 or Better	225000	R-1.8	35 / 66 TIE	35 / 66 TIE
All Grades	35000	R-2.6	41 / 66 TIE	41 / 66 TIE
60 or Better	6000	R-3.8	39 / 66 TIE	39 / 66 TIE

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.
65 or Better	225000
All Grades	35000
60 or Better	6000

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.
65 or Better	R-1.8
All Grades	R-2.6
60 or Better	R-3.8

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.
65 or Better	35 / 66 TIE
All Grades	41 / 66 TIE
60 or Better	39 / 66 TIE

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.
65 or Better	35 / 66 TIE
All Grades	41 / 66 TIE
60 or Better	39 / 66 TIE

Condition Census Learn More

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

#1 MS67+ PCGS grade

Bob R. Simpson Collection

#1 MS67+ PCGS grade

#4 MS67 PCGS grade