The Walking Liberty silver half dollar series began its long life with the striking of this coin in 1916 in Philadelphia. The common name for the coin, Walking Liberty, comes from the image of Lady Liberty, walking with the rising sun and a flag behind her. The intricate coin design was the result of a competition held by the Commission of Fine Arts. Although Weinman won the competition and was commissioned to design the half dollar and dime, he had several designs rejected before this final design was approved. It is worth noting that while this coin was struck in 1916, the coin was not released into circulation until early the following year. The 1916 Philadelphia-issued Walking Liberty silver half dollar does not bear a mint mark.
1916 Walking Liberty Silver Half Dollar Value and Availability
The 1916 Walking Liberty half dollar value is higher for the uncirculated grades than for circulated grades. As with many newly released coins, countless first-year issue coins were pulled from circulation and saved by coin collectors. However, because of the relative face value at issue and the small number of coins initially issued, fewer of these coins were saved than coins with a lower face value (such as nickel or dime coins). Even so, the 1916 issue of the Walking Liberty silver half dollar is less scarce in circulated grade and more common in the Almost Uncirculated (AU) grade. Walking Liberty half dollar key dates are first date of issue – 1916 and last date of issue – 1947.
Type of coin: Half dollar
Year: 1916 Walking Liberty Half Dollar
Mint Mark: Philadelphia
Total mintage: 608,000
Metal content: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Face value: 50 cents
Weight: 12.5 grams
Edge: Reeded
Designer: Adolph Alexander Weinman
Diameter: 30 millimeters