Liberty Walking Half Dollars (1916-1947)

In 1916 the Liberty Walking half dollar appeared. The work of sculptor Adolph A. Weinman, the design was produced intermittently through 1947. As with the other new 1916 silver designs - the Mercury dime and Standing Liberty quarter - the Walking Liberty half dollar immediately attracted a wide circle of numismatic friends. The popularity continues to the present day. A survey conducted by Numismatic News in 1990 found that readers selected this design as their favorite, followed by the Saint-Gaudens $20 and the Standing Liberty quarter.

Certain early issues are elusive, particularly in higher grades, but the building of a "short set" from 1941 through 1947 is a possibility for just about anyone, for Uncirculated coins exist in quantity. Those who are braver or who have better fortified checkbooks can build an expanded short set containing coins dated from 1933 through 1947. Relatively few numismatists desire to collect the entire 1916-1947 series in Uncirculated grade, for major stumbling blocks are provided by the low-mintage issues of 1921, particularly 1921-S, as well as several other key dates.

Budget Recommendations: Form a set of the early varieties 1916-1929 in VG-8 grade, and the later issues in VF-20 preservation.

Recommendations for the Connoisseur: As noted above, forming a short set 1933-1947 or 1941-1947 is popular and will constitute a very nice collection. MS-63 and MS-64 coins are good buys, but even MS-65 coins are very cheap now. Among earlier issues, if you can afford it try for nicely matched MS-63 and MS-64 pieces. In all instances be fussy about what you buy, and select sharply struck pieces with excellent aesthetic appeal.

Elite Recommendations: Form a set of sharply struck MS-65 pieces with excellent aesthetic appeal. This will take some doing, especially for certain early Denver and San Francisco issues, which are usually found weakly struck. If desired, 1936-1942 Philadelphia Mint coins can be added in Proof-65 finish; actually such a run of Proofs makes a nice little collection all by itself.