U.S. COIN REFERENCE · Walking Liberty half dollar
Walking Liberty halves: look for the mintmark on the correct face
In 1917, both mintmark locations occur.
By SalarsNet · Reviewed October 5, 2026
Liberty walking toward the sun
Weinman’s design spans 1916–1947. The reverse eagle and HALF DOLLAR identify the original coin; the later Silver Eagle reuses the obverse on a different denomination. The mintmark begins on the obverse and moves to the reverse during 1917, creating distinct issues.
Type references: PCGS Walking Liberty Half Dollar ↗
Central softness and actual wear
Inspect Liberty’s head, hand, skirt lines, and the eagle’s breast and leg together. Central strike weakness can affect an otherwise well-preserved coin. Retain luster and surface observations instead of deriving the entire grade from one soft feature. Photograph the appropriate mintmark location sharply.
Type references: PCGS Walking Liberty Half Dollar ↗
Short sets and a full set
Collectors often choose 1934–1947 or 1941–1947 short sets; earlier years, particularly 1919 and 1921 issues, ask different scarcity questions. Proofs of 1936–1942 are separate strikes. Match the precise issue and surfaces in sales, and describe an unclear 1917 mintmark location as unresolved.
Type references: PCGS Walking Liberty Half Dollar ↗
Selected reviewed issue records
These catalog standards describe the named issue, not a measured specimen. The selected records below do not cover every date, mint, strike, or die variety. Reported production is labeled separately from established mintage. Unknown standards and mintage remain visible; survival estimates and certified populations are separate research questions.
No issue-level specification or mintage records are published for this category yet. Verify the exact date, mint, strike, metal, and subtype in its reference before using a numerical standard.
References and review
Reference reviewed October 5, 2026. Historical facts and catalog standards need to match the exact issue; price comparisons should be researched at the time of valuation.
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