U.S. Walking Liberty Half Dollar (1916-1947)
The Half Dollar Walking Liberty is regarded by many coin collectors as one of the most beautiful silver coins ever produced for circulation in the U. S. This historic coin was in use during the Roaring Twenties, the 1929 Stock Market Crash, the Great Depression and both World Wars. It is one of the few U.S. coins to have its obverse design appear again on a modern coin - that being the popular Silver American Eagle.
Designed by Adolph A. Weinman, a total of three U. S. Mints were involved in the production of approximately 485,395,000 silver half dollars from 1916 thru 1947 with some exceptions.
The obverse of this popular silver coin features the image of
Lady Liberty striding toward a rising sun, draped elegantly in an
American flag holding both laurel branches to represent military
power and oak branches to represent civil glory.
The reverse features a bald eagle spreading its wings
in a display of power while perched upon a mountain crag. The vast
majority of these coins have the mint mark located on the reverse
(black dot marks the spot): Denver (mint mark "D");
San Francisco (mint mark "S");
and Philadelphia (no mint mark). In the early minting of these
coins, the mint mark was on the obverse - under the motto "In God
We Trust". This included the 1916D, 1916S, a portion of 1917Ds
(765,400 out of a total of 2,705,400 minted) and 1917S (952,000
out of a total of 6,506,000 minted).
Walking Liberty Half Dollars - Investing Details
This half dollar coin consists of 90% silver and 10% copper. An uncirculated Walking Liberty contains .3617 Troy ounces of pure silver (11.2501 grams). If circulated, this silver coin contains less silver because circulation = wear. The industry considers circulated "Walkers" to contain approximately .3575 Troy ounces of pure silver.
With few exceptions, at least a few million Walking Liberty coins were minted each year they were produced (no half dollars were produced in 1922, 1924-1926 and 1930-1932). The Philadelphia Mint produced several million silver half dollars between 1941 and 1945 - these are by far the most common dates. Philadelphia also produced "Proof" Walking Libertys in 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941 and 1942.
Half Dollar Walking Libertys with mint totals of less than a million are likely to fetch a higher sale price as they are somewhat rare coins (depending on condition). Most rare are the 1921 (246,000 minted) and 1921D (only 208,000 minted). Other silver half dollars with less than a million minted are 1916, 1916S, 1917D (obverse mint mark only), 1917S (obverse mint mark only), 1919, 1921S and 1938D.
If you are looking for the least expensive way of owning Liberty half dollars and still get good coins stay with the circulated grades of Extremely Fine (EF or XF) or About Uncirculated (AU). More expensive uncirculated coins begin at Mint State 60 (MS60) and can go to the upper 60's. If you invest in MS63 or higher grades of coins, you will want them graded and sealed in plastic slabs ("slabbed") by either Numismatic Guarantee Corporation (NGC) or Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS).
Walking Liberty Half Dollar Value
To determine the silver (melt)
value of a circulated Liberty Silver Half Dollar,
multiply the current spot price of silver times .3575.
Example: $25.00 x .3575 = $8.9375
This plus the current premium is what you will pay for this silver coin. If you are selling, you can expect to receive a little less from a dealer.
Half Dollar Libertys on Amazon
You can learn much about investing in silver Walking Libertys on Amazon. Review what coins are available and at what price. Of course, circulated half dollars in excellent condition as well as uncirculated half dollars (graded MS60 and higher) will fetch a higher price than those having common dates and in just fair condition.
Once you own a few of these old silver coins in the better grades, you will be tempted to take them out frequently just to admire their beauty.
If you are ready to shop for Walking Libertys after reading the above material, click on this Amazon link Buying Coins and enter Walking Libertys in the search bar at the top of the page. You will see what coins are available and their asking price. Be aware I receive a small compensation if you buy through this site which does not result in you paying more.
Disclaimer: I have made every reasonable effort to produce an informative and helpful article on the Walking Liberty Half Dollar based on my research and experiences. However, I make no representation or warranties of any kind with regard to its completeness, accuracy or suitability for any specific situation or purpose. See Terms and Conditions for more info.