USA ½ dollar Walking Liberty 1917
USA, San Francisco
Rarity
Uncommon
Attributes of Coins
| Region | USA |
|---|---|
| Denomination | ½ dollar |
| Krause number | KM# 142 |
| Mintage | 952,000 |
| Metal | Silver 0.900 |
| thickness | 1.8 mm |
| diameter | 30.6 mm |
| weight | 12.5 g |
Obverse:
Liberty
Creators:
Adolph Alexander Weinman (WA)
IN GOD WE TRUST
LIBERTY
Reverse:
Bird
Description:
Eagle
Creators:
Adolph Alexander Weinman (WA)
E PLURIBUS UNUM
HALF DOLLAR
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Introduction of Coins
Per a directive from Mint Director F. J. H. von Engelken the mintmark was relocated to this coin's reverse early in 1917. The San Francisco Mint aggressively coined halves following this change, and the 1917-S Reverse variety has always been fairly common in circulated grades and at the lower grades of Mint State. Gems are another matter entirely, with very few pieces grading higher than MS-64. This issue seems to be even more subject to striking deficiency than the 1917-S Obverse halves. No varieties are noted, but it is worth mentioning that all seen carry the new S mintmark adopted this year and used as late as 1942. This is a bit larger than the previous letter, and it has more prominent serifs. The textured fields that were a part of Weinman's models and are seen on earlier issues of this coin type were eradicated by Chief Engraver George T. Morgan. All or most of the 1917-S Reverse half dollars have smooth, brilliant fields, as do all subsequent Walking Liberty Halves.Read More
