Numismatic

1916-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar Good

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The year 1916 marked a major transformation for United States coinage, introducing a design that is widely celebrated for its artistic beauty. This half dollar, struck at the Denver Mint, represents the very first year of the Walking Liberty series. Crafted from 90% silver, the coin contains 0.3575 troy ounces of precious metal. Despite its circulated Good condition, the fundamental elements of this historic issue remain visible, carrying the story of a century-old era of American minting. The obverse displays Lady Liberty moving gracefully toward a rising sun, cradling a bundle of branches in her arm. The legend "IN GOD WE TRUST" is inscribed alongside the 1916 date. On the reverse, a powerful eagle is perched upon a rugged stone outcrop, wings slightly spread as if preparing to launch into the sky. The traditional motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM" is legible alongside the denomination "HALF DOLLAR." With a total mintage of 1,014,400 pieces, the 1916 Denver strike is a key representative of the inaugural year of this beloved design. Created by Adolph Weinman, the imagery on this half dollar departed from the more rigid portraits of the late nineteenth century, offering a dynamic and fluid representation of liberty that continues to captivate those who study historic coinage.