Walking Liberty Half Dollar

1916-1947
Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

The Walking Liberty Silver Half Dollar began minting in 1916. It is perhaps one of my favorite coins to unearth and an absolute great example of a beautiful older coin. Designed by Adolph A. Weinman, the obverse features a full-length figure of Liberty striding toward the dawn of a new day carrying branches of laurel and oak symbolizing civil and military glory.

The reverse depicts a majestic eagle perched on a mountain crag with its wings unfolded in a pose suggesting power, while it clutches a pine sapling in its right talon. Weinman initials “AW” can be found directly under the eagle’s tail feathers.

The first issued coins minted in Denver (D) and San Francisco (S) have the mintmark displayed on the obverse, just below the inscription “In God We Trust”. Partway through production in 1917, the mintmarks’ location was moved to the lower left of the reverse, just below the sapling, where it remained until the series ended in 1947.