Numismatic

1939-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar MS-65 NGC

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In 1939, the San Francisco Mint produced a run of 2,552,000 half dollars, each containing 0.3617 ounces of silver with a purity of 0.900. This particular specimen has survived in a remarkable state of preservation, graded Mint State 65 (MS-65). It stands as a testament to the mid-twentieth-century American coining process, showcasing the crisp details of a design first introduced during the First World War. The obverse of the coin features a dynamic depiction of Liberty moving toward a rising sun. She is draped in the American flag and cradles branches in her arms. Inscribed on this side are the words "IN GOD WE TRUST" alongside the year 1939. This side represents a classic era of United States coinage, blending national symbols with a sense of forward movement. On the reverse, an eagle is shown perched upon a rocky crag, wings slightly spread as if preparing to take flight. The reverse inscriptions include "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA", "E PLURIBUS UNUM", and the denomination "HALF DOLLAR". Collectors will also find the distinctive "S" mint mark, indicating its origin at the San Francisco facility. Designed by Adolph Weinman, this coin remains one of the most celebrated examples of American numismatic art.