Numismatic

1917-S Obverse Walking Liberty Half Dollar AG

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The 1917-S Walking Liberty half dollar represents a fascinating moment in United States coinage history. Minted in 90 percent silver, this fifty-cent piece contains 0.3575 troy ounces of precious metal. What makes this specific issue particularly intriguing to observers is the placement of the mint mark. In early 1917, the San Francisco Mint stamped its "S" mark on the obverse side of the coin, right below the motto. Later that same year, the mint mark was permanently moved to the reverse, making these obverse-marked specimens a distinct and short-lived variety. The artistry of the coin, created by designer Adolph Weinman, remains one of the most celebrated in American numismatics. The obverse showcases a full-length figure of Lady Liberty moving gracefully toward a rising sun, her shoulders draped in the national flag while she cradles a bundle of oak and pine branches. The reverse side presents a powerful, detailed image of an eagle perched upon a rugged mountain crag, wings partially spread as if preparing to launch into the sky.