1938 Walking Liberty Half Dollar

The Walking Liberty Half Dollar series ran from 1916 to 1947. Treasury Secretary William McAdoo commissioned the new design to replace the Barber Half Dollar. Adolph A. Weinman won the design competition over several other prominent artists. His work features Lady Liberty striding toward the dawn with an American flag draped over her shoulders. The reverse side depicts a bald eagle perched on a mountain crag. Weinman moved the mint mark from the obverse to the reverse in 1917. The series ended in 1947 when the United States Mint replaced the design with the Franklin Half Dollar. The 1916-1947 run covers the period encompassing both World Wars and the Great Depression. You are holding a piece of silver coinage that was a staple of American commerce for over three decades.

Start your collection with common dates from the 1940s, as these are often available in circulated condition for prices near their silver melt value. Focus on finding coins with clear details on Liberty's skirt lines and the eagle's breast feathers, as these areas wear down quickly. Watch for the 1921, 1921-D, and 1921-S dates because these are the rarest issues in the series with extremely low mintages. Examine coins carefully for altered mint marks, especially on the 1916-D and 1921-D dates. Buy coins in professional holders from PCGS or NGC if you plan to spend significant money on high-grade pieces.

This series includes key dates — check individual coin pages for rarity details.