Top-of-the-Pop 1947 Half Dollar
Underrated "Short Set" Issue
1947 Walking Liberty Half Dollar. MS-67+ (PCGS). CMQ.
A truly captivating example of both the type and issue, with a bold crescent of reddish-copper iridescence encircling much of the obverse. The center on that side is more lightly toned in antique olive-gray, while the reverse remains brilliant apart from a splash of champagne-apricot iridescence at the left border. Pearlescent luster complements the toning and showcases the overall untouched surfaces. Absolutely captivating to view in-hand, and worthy of the finest of sets. The high water mark that the United States Mint achieved in coinage design during the era that numismatic researcher Roger W. Burdette has dubbed the Renaissance of American Coinage came to an end in 1947 when the final Walking Liberty half dollars were struck. Its silver counterparts in the Mercury dime, Standing Liberty quarter and Peace dollar had already passed into history in 1945, 1930 and 1935, respectively, while the Buffalo nickel yielded to its Jefferson successor in 1938. The revolutionary gold designs of Bela Lyon Pratt and Augustus Saint-Gaudens were also no longer in production by the 1940s, the Mint having ended production of quarter eagles, half eagles, eagles and double eagles between 1929 and 1933. With the San Francisco Mint striking its last Walking Liberty half dollars in 1946, it fell to the Philadelphia and Denver facilities to close out this iconic series in 1947. Although readily obtainable in an absolute sense, our own Jeff Ambio (2008) states: ...the 1947 is an underrated coin much like the 1946. It is rarer than the 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944 and 1945, as well as the 1941-D, 1943-D, 1944-D, 1945-D, 1946-D and 1946-S in high grades. Clearly this is a key date issue in the Walking Liberty half dollar "short set" of 1941 to 1947. Quality-conscious collectors specializing in this popular series would be wise to secure this phenomenal example.
PCGS# 6630. NGC ID: 24SM.
PCGS Population: 33; 0 finer.