US · Fifty Cents · 1916–1947
Walking Liberty Half Dollar (1916–1947)
Liberty striding into the dawn, draped in the American flag. Reverse design (eagle on a mountain crag) was reused decades later for the American Silver Eagle bullion coin. Notoriously weakly struck through the 1920s.
i.
Reference photos
Obverse
Photo: A derivative work recompilation (vertical format) of the original work of the Smithsonian Institution photographer, see source / Wikimedia Commons (public-domain) — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Walking_Liberty_Pattern_Half_Dollar.png (public-domain)
ii.
Specifications
| Designer | Adolph A. Weinman |
|---|---|
| Composition | 90% silver / 10% copper |
| Weight | 12.5 g |
| Diameter | 30.6 mm |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Series | Walking Liberty Half Dollar |
| Years issued | 1916–1947 |
iii.
Key dates & varieties
| Year | Mintmark | Variety | Mintage | Rarity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1916 | D | — | 1.0M | semi-key |
| 1916 | P | — | 608K | semi-key |
| 1921 | P | — | 246K | key |
| 1938 | D | — | 492K | key |