The 1938-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar is considered a key date by coin collectors. Here's why:

• Low Mintage: With only 491,600 coins minted, the 1938-D has a significantly lower mintage compared to other Walking Liberty Half Dollars of the era. This scarcity drives up its value.
• Demand Outpaces Supply: The Walking Liberty Half Dollar series itself is popular among collectors for its design featuring Lady Liberty in motion. When scarcity is added to the equation, the 1938-D becomes even more desirable.
• Higher Value Compared to Common Dates: As a key date, the 1938-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar commands a much higher price compared to its more common counterparts from other years in the series.

Here's a quick comparison:

• Common circulated grade Walking Liberty Half Dollar: $10 - $20
• Circulated grade 1938-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar: $25 - $460 (depending on specific condition)

Additional Notes:

• The value of your 1938-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar will depend on its specific condition. Higher grades (MS63, MS65, etc.) will be worth significantly more than lower grades (AG, VG, etc.).
• Professional grading services like PCGS or NGC can authenticate your coin and assign a grade, which directly affects its value.