Numismatic

1916-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar Fine

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The year 1916 marked the debut of one of America's most celebrated circulating designs, the Walking Liberty half dollar. Struck at the San Francisco Mint, this early issue carries the 'S' mint mark and represents the very beginning of a legendary series. With a total mintage of just 508,000 pieces, this inaugural coin is a notable survivor from a historic first year of production. Crafted from 90 percent silver, the coin contains approximately 0.3617 troy ounces of precious metal. The obverse presents a graceful depiction of Lady Liberty draped in the national flag, striding toward a rising sun while cradling branches of laurel and oak. The legend 'IN GOD WE TRUST' and the date '1916' are integrated into this classic composition. On the reverse, sculptor Adolph Weinman created a powerful image of an American eagle perched upon a mountain crag, its wings partially unfurled in a display of strength. The national motto 'E PLURIBUS UNUM' is inscribed alongside the denomination 'HALF DOLLAR', completing a design that remains a high point of United States coinage history.