The 1917 Walking Liberty half dollar was struck in Philadelphia in 1917 in the second year of the Walking Liberty silver half dollar series. The “Walking Liberty” name refers to the image on the coin face of Lady Liberty, walking with the American flag and a rising sun behind her. The coin was designed by Adolph Weinman who also designed the dime. Several of his other half dollar designs were rejected before the final design was accepted. Because it was issued in Philadelphia it lacks a mint mark.
1917 Walking Liberty Silver Half Dollar Value and Scarcity
The 1917 Walking Liberty silver half dollar is the most common of the coins in the Walking Liberty series that date to the early years (1916 – 1929) of the series issue. This is a coin that is relatively easy to find. The 1917 Walking Liberty Half Dollar can range from $18 in lower circulated grade to upwards of $50 in higher uncirculated grades. Mint state coins are well struck, and the Gem grade coins (grade 65-66) exhibit the white, satiny finish of most of the early coins in the series.
As with other new coins, many new silver half dollars left circulation when they went into the collections of amateur and serious numismatists. Gem condition 1917 Walking Liberty silver half dollars are rarer than smaller denominations. Due to the higher face value of the coin, a smaller number of coins saved when the coin was first issued. Because this is a common coin, this is not a key date in the series that started in 1916 and ended in 1947.
Type of coin: Half Dollar
Year: 1917 Walking Liberty Half Dollar
Mint: Philadelphia
Total mintage: 12,292,000
Metal content: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Face value: 50 cents
Weight: 12.5 grams
Edge: Reeded
Designer: Adolph Alexander Weinman
Diameter: 30.00 millimeters