Obverse: identify the front

Liberty walks toward the left, draped in a flag and carrying leafy branches. The date is below her feet, and IN GOD WE TRUST is at the right. The photograph shows 1945; inspect the denomination on the other side before confusing it with a larger bullion coin.

Reverse: identify the back

An eagle stands on a rocky rise beside a small plant, with HALF DOLLAR below. It differs from the original heraldic reverse and later landing-eagle reverse of Silver Eagles. The pictured D appears near the lower left of the reverse.

History and purpose

The Mint places Weinman’s Walking Liberty half dollar in 1916–1947. Franklin’s portrait replaced it in 1948. This half-dollar profile retains the original silver composition rather than transferring the one-ounce bullion specification from a later coin with a related obverse.

How to identify this variant

Pair the walking figure with the standing eagle and HALF DOLLAR inscription. Check the date, nominal 12.5 g weight, approximately 30.6 mm diameter and reeded edge. ONE DOLLAR and a one-ounce bullion inscription indicate a different product.

Understanding its metal content

The calculation is 12.5 g × 0.9 = 11.25 g fine silver; divide by 31.1034768 to convert grams to troy ounces. The rest of the coin is alloy metal. Quantity totals use nominal content; wear, damage or an incorrect identification can change the content of your actual coins.

Dates, varieties and composition changes

This date range describes the original series. Mint-mark location can vary with issue, so look at both sides rather than assuming the photographed 1945-D position applies to every early half. Collector varieties and strike details require a closer examination.

Melt value versus collector value

Preserve original surfaces and record the date and mint mark. Weak central details, wear and sharpness of strike are not interchangeable grading conclusions. A professional can evaluate those features; this library supplies a representative comparison and nominal metal content.

Authenticity and condition

Compare both designs, HALF DOLLAR, date, mint mark, edge and dimensions together. The walking figure is reproduced on other genuine products and replicas, so it is not enough by itself. Do not clean or destructively test a potentially collectible half dollar.

Selling this coin

Sort Walking Liberty halves separately from Silver Eagles and other half-dollar designs. Photograph dates and mint marks, leaving holder labels visible. Include quantities in the existing photo appraisal request; neither face value nor theoretical silver content fixes a buyer’s offer.

Sources and calculation methodology

The Mint reference supports the historical design or composition distinction described here. The separate specification record documents gross mass, silver fineness and diameter; numerical source claims are recorded individually. Fixed decimal arithmetic calculates silver content without copying a reference site’s prices. No approved live silver-price feed is configured, so dollar melt values remain unavailable. Photo identities and reuse rights are reviewed separately.

Common questions

References

• U.S. Mint: Half Dollar history — identity; dates Walking Liberty 1916–1947; design Adolph Weinman (checked 2026-10-10)

Issue-year references

• PCGS: Walking Liberty half dollar issue list

Content maintained by CashForCoins. Last substantive record update: 2026-10-10. Report a specification or attribution issue through our contact page.

Related coins

Barber Half Dollar

Photo credits and rights on the linked coin profile.

United States • 90% silver, 10% copper

Issue years: 1892–1915

Fine silver: 0.361696 troy oz

Add to collection

Franklin Half Dollar

Photo credits and rights on the linked coin profile.

United States • 90% silver, 10% copper

Issue years: 1948–1963

Fine silver: 0.361696 troy oz

Add to collection