Walking Liberty Half Dollar

1916-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar. MS-63 (PCGS).

A boldly struck, softly frosted example with light antique-silver patina throughout. This marks the first year of issue for the type at San Francisco. Adolph A. Weinman's Walking Liberty half dollar is highly regarded today but evoked mixed reactions when it made its debut. "At last we have on our coins the great American eagle in a natural, lifelike form," The Numismatist said. "As represented on the half dollar he is, as the small boy would say, 'some bird,' and his size and proportions are in keeping with the greatness and power of the country." However, ornithologist Frank M. Chapman chided, "The artist has made this bird a terrestrial fowl, striding or marching on the ground like a turkey-cock, and with as much dignity as one." Another critic said, "The eagle looks as though it were wearing overalls and marching through hot tar." So much for opinions from the old days; your cataloger (JLA) thinks the Walking Liberty half dollar is one of America's best designed coins -- ever!

PCGS# 6568. NGC ID: 24PN.

Estimate: 2000