Own a Historic Walking Liberty Half Dollar
The Walking Liberty half dollar has been called “one of the greatest coins of the United States.” Known for its beauty and craftsmanship, it was preserved by collectors for many decades. Now you can continue the legacy and get your own Walking Liberty coin.
In 1915, Robert Woolley, the new US Mint Director, decide... more
Own a Historic Walking Liberty Half Dollar
The Walking Liberty half dollar has been called “one of the greatest coins of the United States.” Known for its beauty and craftsmanship, it was preserved by collectors for many decades. Now you can continue the legacy and get your own Walking Liberty coin.
In 1915, Robert Woolley, the new US Mint Director, decided to replace the coin designs that had been used for 25 years. He asked the Commission of Fine Arts to hold a competition for the new designs. Adolph Weinman, a well-known sculptor and engraver, won the contest for the half dollar.
Weinman’s design features an image of the goddess Liberty, with the American flag waving in the breeze behind her. She is striving toward the rising sun with branches of laurel and oak on her arm. These are symbols of civil and military glory. The reverse pictures an eagle, with its talons resting on the edge of a rocky crag. His spread wings reflect his power.
Production of the new coin encountered many obstacles because of the intricacies of the design. But the resulting half dollar was worth the effort. Art historian Cornelius Vermeule said the Walking Liberty was “one of the greatest coins of the United States – if not of the world.”
The new half dollar design was minted using 90 % silver and 10 % copper at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints. It was issued to the public in early January 1917, and received little publicity because of World War I heating up in Europe. In spite of this, the coins were immediately popular and all three mints had trouble keeping up with the demand. During the first two years, the mint mark was placed on the obverse (Walking Liberty) side of the coin. Beginning in 1917, the mark was moved to the reverse (Eagle) side. The design remained the same until 1947, when it was replaced with the Franklin half dollar.
This half dollar was produced during an important time in American history. During the time this coin was minted, the US fought in - and won - two World Wars, survived the Great Depression, and rose to a place of prominence on the world stage. The coin is a fitting reflection of the strength of America and the importance of beauty in the midst of turmoil.
Year Issued: 1934
Face Value: $0.50
Mintage: 6,964,000
This 1934 Walking Liberty half dollar, minted at the Philadelphia Mint, will make a neat addition to your coin collection. Order yours now.
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