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Walk into Liberty's world Walk right into the world of collecting Walking Liberty half dollar coins, a series struck between 1916 and 1945. Adolph A. Weinman's obverse design for the Walking Liberty half dollar has been hailed ... Read more
Walking Liberty Half Dollar
Walk into Liberty's world Walk right into the world of collecting Walking Liberty half dollar coins, a series struck between 1916 and 1945. Adolph A. Weinman's obverse design for the Walking Liberty half dollar has been hailed as one of the greatest of all time. It depicts a full-length allegorical Liberty striding left, garbed in the stars and stripes of Old Glory. Liberty carries in her left hand branches of laurel and oak. Her right hand is outstretched as she walks toward the dawn of a new day represented by the rising sun with rays, behind some low hills. A large, plain field is on the right, at Liberty's back. Dominating the reverse is a left-facing fearless and powerful eagle captured with his wings about to unfold to begin flight from his perch atop a mountain crag. In the foreground is a mountain pine sapling springing from a rift in the rock. Open field space occupies a very small portion of the reverse. Weinman had a busy year in 1916. His models for the dime and half dollar won coinage design contests. They have remarkably similar heads, although the depiction of Liberty on the half dollar does not have a winged cap. The D Mint mark for Denver or S for San Francisco appears in the obverse field on all 1916 and early 1917 issue Walking Liberty half dollars. The Mint mark was moved to below and to the left of the mountain pine near the rim on the reverse beginning later in 1917. Various repunched Mint mark varieties are cataloged for the series. The coins were struck at the Philadelphia Mint without a Mint mark. A problem encountered throughout the series is the typical weak strike. The obverse facial details and hand holding a branch are typically weak. The hand is directly in line with the high points of the eagle's breast and left leg on the reverse, which is also typically either weakly struck or the first place to wear. There simply wasn't enough metal to properly fill those design elements. There are a number of challenging key dates to seek out in this series. Nine issues have a mintage of less than 1 million pieces each. These are 1916, 1916-S, 1917-D (on obverse), 1917-S (on obverse), 1919, 1921, 1921-D, 1921-S and 1938-D coins. The lowest mintage of all is 1921-D half dollar at 208,000 pieces. The Walking Liberty half dollar appears in U.S. Proof sets of 1936 to 1942. The 1936 has the lowest Proof mintage at 3,901 pieces. The highest mintage is 21,120 pieces for 1942. There are early dated Proofs struck individually, rather than for sets. There are, as an example, at least three known Satin Finish Proofs of the 1917 half dollar. There are two varieties of the 1941 Proof coin, with and without the designer's initials. It took seven revisions before the Weinman design could be used on the half dollar. This was due to the high relief in several places. Patterns exist of the Walking Liberty half dollar in several stages of its development. Although officially none of these patterns were ever released, examples are known in private hands. The design for the half dollar could be legally changed after July 1, 1941, 25 years having passed since its introduction. However, wartime demands on the Mint allowed this design to continue through 1947. The Walking Liberty half dollar was replaced with a design depicting Benjamin Franklin in 1948.
Walking Liberty half dollar |
|
| Date of authorization: | April 2, 1792 |
| Dates of issue: | 1916-1947 |
| Designer: | Adolph Weinman |
| Engraver: | Charles Barber |
| Diameter: | 30.61 mm/1.21 inches |
| Weight: | 12.50 grams/0.40 ounce |
| Metallic content: | 90% silver, 10% copper |
| Weight of pure silver: | 11.25 grams/0.36 ounce |
| Edge: | Reeded |
| Mint mark: | (1916): Obverse below IN GOD WE TRUST (1917): Obverse below IN GOD WE TRUST or reverse lower left A bell ringer |
Marketplace
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1916 50C MS65 NGC.
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Dealer: Heritage Auctions
Grade: MS-65 -
1916 50C MS65 NGC.
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Dealer: Heritage Auctions
Grade: MS-65 -
1936 Walking Liberty Half Dollar PCGS PR-64
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Price: $3,250.00
Dealer: Coast to Coast Coins
Grade: PCGS PR-64 -
1929-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar PCGS MS-65
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Price: $2,995.00
Dealer: Coast to Coast Coins
Grade: PCGS MS-65
Public Auctions
| Name | Grade | Price | Date | Firm | Lot Number | Certified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1916 50C AU50 NGC. NGC Census: (15/1102). PCGS | AU-50 | $258.50 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 7807 | NGC |
| 1916 50C AU58 NGC. NGC Census: (92/974). PCGS | AU-58 | $305.50 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 8457 | NGC |
| 1917 50C -- Reverse Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. UNC. NGC Census: (2/1698). PCGS | MS-60 | $146.88 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 21018 | NGC Details |
| 1917 50C AU55 PCGS. PCGS | AU-55 | $84.00 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 24205 | PCGS |
| 1918 50C -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. AU. NGC Census: (17/650). PCGS | AU-50 | $166.85 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 21132 | NGC Details |
| 1918 50C -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. XF. NGC Census: (9/693). PCGS | EF-40 | $135.13 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20242 | NGC Details |
| 1919 50C -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. VF. NGC Census: (14/379). PCGS | VF-20 | $146.88 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20244 | NGC Details |
| 1919 50C MS64 PCGS. | MS-64 | $5,875.00 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 2713 | PCGS |
| 1920 50C AU58 PCGS. PCGS | AU-58 | $381.88 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 8468 | PCGS |
| 1920 50C AU58 PCGS. PCGS | AU-58 | $587.50 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 8469 | PCGS |
| 1921 50C -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. Good. NGC Census: (105/692). PCGS | G-4 | $84.00 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 26575 | NGC Details |
| 1921 50C -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. Good. NGC Census: (110/701). PCGS | G-4 | $89.00 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 26111 | Details NGC |
| 1923-S 50C -- Cleaned -- ANACS. AU58 Details. NGC Census: (36/218). PCGS | AU-58 | $705.00 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 8471 | ANACS |
| 1923-S 50C AU55 PCGS Secure. | AU-55 | $2,585.00 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 4259 | PCGS |
| 1927-S 50C -- Obv Damage -- NGC Details. XF. NGC Census: (7/541). PCGS | EF-40 | $112.80 | January 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 21045 | NGC Details |
| 1927-S 50C AU58 NGC. | AU-58 | $998.75 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 2721 | NGC |
| 1928-S 50C MS65 PCGS. | MS-65 | $9,106.25 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 3839 | PCGS |
| 1929-D 50C AU55 PCGS. PCGS | AU-55 | $258.50 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 8472 | PCGS |
| 1929-D 50C MS62 PCGS. | MS-62 | $763.75 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 4261 | PCGS |
| 1933-S 50C -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. AU. NGC Census: (18/790). PCGS | AU-50 | $217.38 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 28859 | NGC Details |
| 1933-S 50C -- Machine Damage -- PCGS Genuine. Unc. NGC Census: (1/556). PCGS | MS-60 | $998.75 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 7826 | PCGS Genuine |
| 1934 50C MS63 NGC. CAC. NGC Census: (288/1645). PCGS | MS-63 | $98.70 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20251 | NGC |
| 1934 50C MS64 NGC. NGC Census: (656/982). PCGS | MS-64 | $117.50 | January 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 21046 | NGC |
| (20) 1935 50C NGC-Certified Half Dollars. | MS-64 | $3,055.00 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 2734 | NGC |
| 1935 50C MS63 NGC. NGC Census: (267/1695). PCGS | MS-63 | $65.00 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 22806 | NGC |
| 1936 50C MS64 NGC. NGC Census: (852/1802). PCGS | MS-64 | $63.00 | January 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 21047 | NGC |
| 1936 50C MS64 NGC. NGC Census: (856/1800). PCGS | MS-64 | $76.00 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20735 | NGC |
| 1937 50C MS62 PCGS. CAC. PCGS | MS-62 | $70.00 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 21144 | PCGS |
| 1937 50C MS63 NGC. NGC Census: (243/2366). PCGS | MS-63 | $66.00 | January 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 21048 | NGC |
| 1938 50C MS63 NGC. NGC Census: (167/1684). PCGS | MS-63 | $105.75 | January 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 21049 | NGC |
| 1938 50C MS64 NGC. NGC Census: (619/1065). PCGS | MS-64 | $141.00 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 28247 | NGC |
| 1939 50C MS65 NGC. NGC Census: (1121/1028). PCGS | MS-65 | $176.25 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 28863 | NGC |
| 1939 50C MS65 PCGS. PCGS | MS-65 | $146.88 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 26203 | PCGS |
| (10)1940-S 50C MS63 NGC. | MS-63 | $514.65 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 8493 | NGC |
| (2)1940-S 50C MS64 NGC. | MS-64 | $188.00 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 21153 | NGC |
| (2)1940-S 50C MS64 NGC. | MS-64 | $188.00 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 21154 | NGC |
| (2)1940-S 50C MS64 NGC. | MS-64 | $176.25 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20264 | NGC |
| (2)1940-S 50C MS64 NGC. | MS-64 | $182.13 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20265 | NGC |
| (2)1941-D 50C MS65 NGC. | MS-65 | $211.50 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20275 | NGC |
| (2)1941-D 50C MS65 NGC. | MS-65 | $223.25 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 21164 | NGC |
| (2)1941-D 50C MS65 NGC. | MS-65 | $223.25 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 21165 | NGC |
| (2)1942 50C MS64 NGC. | MS-64 | $108.10 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 22815 | NGC |
| (2)1942 50C MS65 NGC. | MS-65 | $176.25 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 22816 | NGC |
| (2)1943 50C MS64 NGC. | MS-64 | $117.50 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 22819 | NGC |
| (2)1943 50C MS64 NGC. | MS-64 | $119.85 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 22177 | NGC |
| 1944 50C MS63 NGC. NGC Census: (833/6880). PCGS | MS-63 | $54.00 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20170 | NGC |
| 1944 50C MS64 NGC. CAC. NGC Census: (2783/4065). PCGS | MS-64 | $62.00 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 24219 | NGC |
| (2)1945-S 50C MS64 NGC. | MS-64 | $135.13 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20324 | NGC |
| (2)1945-S 50C MS64 NGC. | MS-64 | $135.13 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 21213 | NGC |
| (2)1945-S 50C MS64 NGC. | MS-64 | $125.73 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 21212 | NGC |
| (2)1945-S 50C MS64 NGC. | MS-64 | $129.25 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20323 | NGC |
| (2)1946 50C MS65 NGC. | MS-65 | $182.13 | December 2012 | Heritage Auctions | 22187 | NGC |
| (2)1946-S 50C MS64 NGC. | MS-64 | $119.85 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20334 | NGC |
| (2)1946-S 50C MS64 NGC. | MS-64 | $123.38 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 21224 | NGC |
| (2)1946-S 50C MS64 NGC. | MS-64 | $123.38 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 21225 | NGC |
| 1947 50C MS63 PCGS. PCGS | MS-63 | $51.00 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 21054 | PCGS |
| 1947 50C MS63 PCGS. PCGS | MS-63 | $57.00 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 20268 | PCGS |
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Auctions
- 1855 G$1 AU55 NGC. NGC Census: (890/3468). PCGS $441
- 1921-S $1 MS63 PCGS. PCGS $63
- 1838 H10C Large Stars, No Drapery -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. AU. NGC Census: (5/617). PCGS $79
- 1899 $1 -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. AU. NGC Census: (45/8007). PCGS $141
- 1880-CC $1 MS63 PCGS. PCGS $544
- 1888-S $1 -- Obv Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. UNC. NGC Census: (37/2882). PCGS $259
- 1852-O H10C -- Bent -- NGC Details. VF. NGC Census: (1/45). PCGS $69
- 1943-S 50C MS64 NGC. NGC Census: (2345/1773). PCGS $84
- 1904 5C AU58 NGC. NGC Census: (19/628). PCGS $62
- 1851 G$1 -- Obv Scratched -- NGC Details. UNC. NGC Census: (91/3230). PCGS $259
- 1893 $1 -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. XF. NGC Census: (140/3288). PCGS $153
- 1942-D 50C MS65 NGC. NGC Census: (1520/1023). PCGS $153
- 1947 50C MS64 NGC. NGC Census: (2469/3447). PCGS $59
- 1904-O $1 MS65 NGC. NGC Census: (15590/1468). PCGS $129
- 1890 $1 MS64 NGC. CAC. NGC Census: (4028/305). PCGS $112
- 1908-S 1C XF40 NGC. NGC Census: (314/1506). PCGS $112
- 1885 $1 MS64 NGC. NGC Census: (29582/11769). PCGS $69
- 1898-S $10 MS63 PCGS. PCGS $2,468
- 1884-S $1 AU50 NGC. NGC Census: (809/4319). PCGS $200
- 1913 $10 MS63 NGC. NGC Census: (698/449). PCGS $1,351
All Categories
Half Cent
- Liberty Cap Left Half Cent
- Liberty Cap Right Half Cent
- Draped Bust Half Cent
- Classic Head Half Cent
- Coronet Half Cent
Cent
- Flowing Hair Large Cent, Chain Reverse
- Flowing Hair Large Cent, Wreath Reverse
- Liberty Cap Large Cent
- Draped Bust Large Cent
- Classic Head Large Cent
- Coronet Large Cent
- Flying Eagle Cent
- Indian Head Cent
- Lincoln Cent
2 Cents
3 Cents
5 Cents
- Shield 5 Cents
- Liberty Head 5 Cents
- Indian Head (Buffalo) 5 Cents
- Jefferson 5 Cents
- Half Disme Pattern
- Flowing Hair Half Dime
- Draped Bust, Small Eagle Half Dime
- Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle Half Dime
- Capped Bust Half Dime
- Seated Liberty Half Dime
Dime
- Draped Bust Dime
- Capped Bust Dime
- Seated Liberty Dime
- Barber Dime
- Winged Liberty Head (Mercury) Dime
- Roosevelt Dime
20 cents
Quarter
- Draped Bust, Small Eagle Quarter Dollar
- Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle Quarter Dollar
- Capped Bust Quarter Dollar
- Seated Liberty Quarter Dollar
- Barber Quarter Dollar
- Standing Liberty Quarter Dollar
- Washington Quarter Dollar
- America the Beautiful
Half Dollar
- Flowing Hair Half Dollar
- Draped Bust, Small Eagle Half Dollar
- Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle Half Dollar
- Capped Bust Half Dollar
- Seated Liberty Half Dollar
- Barber Half Dollar
- Walking Liberty Half Dollar
- Franklin Half Dollar
- Kennedy Half Dollar
- Modern Commemoratives 1982-2013
Dollar
- Flowing Hair Dollar
- Draped Bust, Small Eagle Dollar
- Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle Dollar
- Seated Liberty Dollar
- Trade Dollar
- Morgan Dollar
- Peace Dollar
- Eisenhower Dollar
- Susan B. Anthony Dollar
- Sacagawea/Native American Dollar
- Gold Dollar (All Three "Types")
- Presidential Dollars
- Modern Commemoratives 1982-2013
- Gobrecht Dollar
- American Eagles
2.50 dollar
- Capped Bust $2.50 Quarter Eagle
- Capped Draped Bust $2.50 Quarter Eagle
- Capped Head $2.50 Quarter Eagle
- Classic Head $2.50 Quarter Eagle
- Coronet $2.50 Quarter Eagle
- Indian Head $2.50 Quarter Eagle
3 dollar
5 dollar
- Capped Bust, Small Eagle $5 Half Eagle
- Capped Bust, Heraldic Eagle $5 Half Eagle
- Capped Draped Bust $5 Half Eagle
- Capped Head $5 Half Eagle
- Classic Head $5 Half Eagle
- Coronet Head $5 Half Eagle
- Indian Head $5 Half Eagle
- Modern Commemoratives 1982-2013
- American Eagles
- American Buffalo
10 dollar
- Capped Bust, Small Eagle $10 Eagle
- Capped Bust, Heraldic Eagle $10 Eagle
- Coronet Head $10 Eagle
- Indian Head $10 Eagle
- Modern Commemoratives 1982-2013
- American Eagles
- American Buffalo
- First Spouse
20 dollar
- Coronet Head $20 Double Eagle
- Saint-Gaudens $20 Double Eagle
- Saint-Gaudens Ultra-High Relief $20 Gold
