1944 Walking Liberty Half Dollar
Coin/Bullion · United States Mint; designed by Adolph A. Weinman. The US Mint is the primary coinage authority for the United States, established in 1792.
Pattern: Walking Liberty Half Dollar (1916-1947)
Type
Coin/Bullion
Maker
United States Mint; designed by Adolph A. Weinman. The US Mint is the primary coinage authority for the United States, established in 1792.
Material
90% Silver, 10% Copper (Coin Silver); Contains 0.36169 troy oz of pure silver.
Dimensions
Diameter: 30.6 mm (1.205 inches); Weight: 12.50 grams; Thickness: 1.8 mm.
Description
The Walking Liberty Half Dollar is widely considered one of the most beautiful coins ever minted by the United States. Designed by sculptor Adolph A. Weinman, it depicts a powerful, graceful Lady Liberty striding towards the dawn of a new day. This specific 1944 example represents the high-volume production years of the US Mint during the height of the Second World War.
Key Features
AAW designer monogram (on reverse), high-relief 'Walking' posture, sunrise motif, and the distinct 1944 wartime date.
Material & Composition
90% Silver, 10% Copper (Coin Silver); Contains 0.36169 troy oz of pure silver.
Finish & Decoration
Struck business strike finish with high-relief neoclassical design. Features Lady Liberty draped in the American flag, walking toward the sun, carrying branches of laurel and oak. The reverse (not shown) features a majestic bald eagle on a mountain crag.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped '1944' on the obverse. Motto 'IN GOD WE TRUST' and 'LIBERTY' prominently displayed. Mint mark (if present: D for Denver or S for San Francisco) would be found on the reverse below the eagle's wing, or it remains blank for Philadelphia.
Construction Details
Die-struck at a United States Mint facility using pressurized steam or electric presses onto silver planchets.
Functional Features
Reeded edge to prevent 'clipping' or shaving of precious metal; legal tender currency for the United States.
Handle & Grip Details
N/A (Numismatic item)
Craftsmanship Details
Precisely die-struck with refined sculptural details; Weinman's work demonstrates mastery of bas-relief, bridging the gap between traditional sculpture and industrial mass production.
Authentication Indicators
Correct diameter and weight proportions; sharp lettering for the era; authentic font for the 1944 date; typical circulation wear patterns for 90% silver coinage.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States of America (likely Philadelphia, Denver, or San Francisco mints).
Era & Period
World War II era (1941-1945); Neoclassical design influence popular in early 20th-century American coinage architecture.
Age Estimate
Dated 1944; 80 years old.
Cultural Significance
A symbol of American expansion and resolve during the early 20th century and World War II. It represents the last era of high-art circulating silver coinage in the US before the transition to copper-nickel clad compositions in 1965.
Condition Notes
Circulated condition (likely 'Very Good' to 'Fine' grade). Visible wear on the high points such as Liberty's breast, skirt lines, and the branches. Light surface scratches and minor tarnish consistent with pocket wear.
Value Estimate
$10 - $25 (Value fluctuates primarily based on the live spot price of silver and the specific coin grade/mint mark).
Care & Maintenance
Do not clean or polish with abrasives, as this destroys numismatic value. Store in a PVC-free plastic flip or archival-safe coin tube to prevent further oxidation.
Similar Pieces
Franklin Half Dollar (1948-1963), Kennedy Half Dollar (1964 silver version), American Silver Eagle (Modern Bullion).
Interesting Facts
The design was so popular that it was revived in 1986 for the American Silver Eagle bullion coin, which remains the most popular silver investment coin in the world today.