Ken Marich
We all probably remember getting Liberty Walking (LW) half dollars as change in the 1950s and 60s. Today we rarely see these coins in circulation as they are all collector’s items and contain about $10 worth of silver. The LW half dollar was issued by the U.S. Mint from 1916 to 1947 and was designed by Adolph A Weinman. Art historian Cornelius Vermeule characterized the LW half dollar as “one of the greatest coins of the U.S.—if not the world.”
In 1915, Robert Woolley, the new Mint Director, misinterpreted the coinage laws passed in 1890 as requiring a new design every 25 years instead of allowing replacement of a coin design any time after 25 years in use. Thus, Woolley asked the Commission of Fine Arts to conduct a competition as they did not like the sketches submitted by Charles Barber, the Chief Engraver, which didn’t make him too happy. Three artists were selected, Adolph Weinman, Hermon MacNeil and Albin Polasek, and were asked to submit multiple sketches within four weeks. The only official statute was that an eagle had to appear on the reverse of the coin. On February 23, 1916, the three artists presented their designs to Woolley and William McAdoo, Treasury Secretary. On February 28, over negative comments from Barber, Woolley informed Weinman that his design was selected for the new half dollar.
The Mint Director’s report described the new half dollar stating: “The design of the half dollar bears a full-length figure of Liberty, the folds of the Stars and Stripes flying in the breeze as a background, symbolic of civil and military glory. The hand of Liberty is outstretched in bestowal of the spirit of liberty. The reverse shows an eagle perched high upon a mountain crag, wings unfolded, fearless in spirit and conscious of his power. Springing from a rock is a sapling of mountain pine, symbolic of America.” According to numismatic historian Roger Burdette, Oscar Roty’s design for French coins may have inspired Weinman’s design for Lady Liberty and turned it into an American icon.
The LW half dollar collection is prized by many numismatists. Unique to this series is the fact that in 1916 and part of 1917 the mint marks appeared on the obverse, after that the mint marks were moved to the reverse of the coin. Current market prices for LW half dollars vary widely depending on the date and condition. In uncirculated condition coins range from $45 to $130,000 per coin. A short set in uncirculated, including coins dated 1941 to 1947, is affordable and range from $45-$150 per coin. The LW half dollars are beautiful, fun to collect and a real part of American history.
If you are interested in coin collecting, the SaddleBrooke Coin Club welcomes you. Our next meeting is Wednesday, November 19 in the Cactus Room in the MountainView Clubhouse from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. For more information contact Ken at 520-825-1709 or [email protected].