Numismatic

1916 Walking Liberty Half Dollar BU

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The year 1916 marked the debut of a new era in American coinage, introducing a half dollar design that remains celebrated for its artistic grace. Struck in Philadelphia with a mintage of just 608,000 pieces, this first year issue is composed of 90 percent silver, containing 0.3575 troy ounces of precious metal. Its scarcity and historical position as the starting point of a legendary series make it a captivating subject for study. Adolph Weinman designed the coin, presenting a powerful visual narrative on both sides. The obverse displays Lady Liberty draped in the American flag, moving gracefully toward a rising sun while cradling a bundle of branches in her arm. This side bears the date 1916 and the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. On the reverse, an eagle stands poised on a rocky mount, wings slightly spread as if preparing to launch into the sky. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the traditional motto E PLURIBUS UNUM frame this majestic bird. Finding this inaugural issue in Brilliant Uncirculated condition offers a rare glimpse at the design exactly as the engraver intended. Without the wear of circulation, the fine details of Liberty's stride and the intricate feathers of the eagle remain sharply defined, preserving the artistic energy of 1916.