1945 Walking Liberty Half Dollar
Acquire a 50 cent piece from one of the most iconic coin series struck in 20th century America with this 1945 Walking Liberty half dollar. The Walking Liberty was produced between 1916 and 1947 after the Barber Half Dollar series and before the Franklin half dollar. The 1945, like other strikes in this series, was minted at Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco, but the Philadelphia mints – like this coin – were struck in greater number making up 60% of all halves that year.
History
The Walking Liberty was a new approach for U.S. coinage, as U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt disliked the unoriginality of coins to that date, including those produced by well-known engraver Charles Barber. The U.S. Mint seemed to take on board this position and asked the Commission of Fine Arts to review designs. The Commission disliked the Mint's efforts and held a competition for which the outcome was a commission to sculptor Adolph A. Weinman who produced what many thought were beautiful designs. However, the strikes were notoriously weak, so getting excellent condition Walking Liberties remains quite difficult.
Design specifics
The 1945 half features Liberty striding to the east with the sun coming down behind her, carrying oak and laurel while the stars and stripes are billowing in the wind. The reverse bears an eagle, wings spread prepared for flight from on top of a mountain crag as a mountain pine protrudes from it. The top of Lady Liberty almost reaches the head of the coin as the words Liberty are spread over its north circumference. The phrase "In God We Trust" is placed to the side on the obverse to keep the image as large as possible.
1945 Walking Liberty half dollar value and mintage
The 1945 Walking Liberty half dollar enjoys a mintage of 31,502,000. It can be bought for around $52 in a mint state condition. Superb condition coins can be sold for much more at auction.
