If you're holding a good old silver gold coin and looking for the particular walking liberty half dollar mint mark location, you've probably noticed it's not always in the same spot. It's one of those quirks of early 20th-century American coinage that may drive a new enthusiast a bit insane. Depending on the year your gold coin was struck, you might be looking at front side or even the back, and honestly, even whenever you know where to look, all those little letters can be pretty tough to spot if the particular coin has seen some heavy use.
The Walking Liberty half dollar is arguably the particular most beautiful coin the U. S i9000. Mint ever created. Designed by Adolph A. Weinman and minted from 1916 in order to 1947, it functions Lady Liberty draped within the American flag, walking toward a rising sun. But as the art is stunning, the logistics of where the "S" or "D" was stamped transformed early within the series, which is why there's often therefore much confusion about where to look.
The great mint mark migration of 1917
It is important to know about the walking liberty half dollar mint mark location is that will the Mint really moved it mid-production. If you possess a coin from 1916 or the particular early a part of 1917, you need to look at the "obverse" (that's only the fancy enthusiast word for the particular front side).
On these types of early issues, the particular mint mark is located on the front of the coin, right beneath the motto "In God We Confidence. " It's nestled away near the bottom right, simply above the day area but specifically under that popular phrase. If a person see a little "D" for Denver colorado or an "S" for San Francisco there, you've discovered it. If there's nothing there from all, it was minted in Philadelphia.
However, halfway by means of 1917, the forces that be made a decision that getting the mint mark around the top made the style look a bit staged or perhaps it just wasn't stunning clearly. They determined to move this to the "reverse" (the back side). From the last mentioned half of 1917 all the way up until the particular series ended within 1947, the mint mark stayed on the back.
Checking the reverse for later dates
For your vast majority of Walking Liberty halves you'll operate into—basically anything from late 1917 by means of the end of the 1940s—the walking liberty half dollar mint mark location is on the particular reverse.
Flip the coin over and look at that majestic eagle. You want in order to focus on the lower-left side of the coin, near the particular rim. Specifically, look under the eagle's side and a little bit to the left of the pine department the eagle is definitely perched on. It's usually a small, blocky letter.
It can be a bit tricky to find if the gold coin is dirty or worn down. These coins circulated a lot back in the particular day; half the dollar could buy a decent dinner or a several movie tickets, so they changed hands often. If your coin is really a "slick" (meaning it's very worn), you might need a magnifying glass or a loupe to be absolutely sure what you're seeing.
Identifying the various mints
Once you've found the right spot, you're likely to see one of three things. Nicely, technically two words or nothing with all.
- No Mint Mark: If the place is blank, the coin was produced in the Philadelphia Mint. In the past, Philly had been the "main" mint and didn't feel the need in order to brag about this with a letter.
- D: This particular stands for the Denver Mint.
- H: This stands for the San Francisco Mint.
Finding an "S" or a "D" can sometimes considerably change the value of the coin, especially for certain yrs. For example, the 1921 Philadelphia gold coin is rare, but a 1921-S or even 1921-D is a massive find regarding any collector. That's why knowing the particular exact walking liberty half dollar mint mark location is so crucial—you don't want to accidentally invest or sell the key date intended for the price of common silver bullion.
Why 1917 is the "confusing" 12 months
If a person have a 1917 half dollar, you really have to examine both sides. Since they switched the location in that specific year, you will find two distinct varieties with regard to 1917-D and 1917-S coins.
Collector circles contact these "Obverse Mint Mark" (obv) and "Reverse Mint Mark" (rev) varieties. Usually, the ones with all the mark on the particular front are regarded a bit even more desirable or scarcer in a few grades, but both are traditional items of the challenge. It's an enjoyable little hunt in order to try and obtain one of every with regard to a 1917 collection.
Tips for spotting faint marks
Sometimes, you'll look at the particular walking liberty half dollar mint mark location and see a blob. Or maybe the scratch that looks like the letter. Here's exactly how to tell the:
- Make use of natural light: Artificial lighting can make weird shadows that hide the letter. Go close to a window plus tilt the coin back and forth.
- Look for the "shelf": The real mint mark is raised away from the surface from the coin. It's not really scratched into this. If this looks like it's "sitting" upon the field from the coin, it's most likely legitimate.
- Check the "O": Occasionally people mistake a bit of dust or a circular scratch for a good "O. " Just a heads up: there is no "O" mint mark for the Walking Liberty series. The New Orleans mint (which used the "O") stopped making coins long before these had been in production. If you think a person see an O, it's either a really deformed D or just some muck.
- Don't clean it! This is the golden rule of coin gathering. If you can't see the mark since the coin is definitely dark or dirty, leave it by yourself. Scrubbing a coin with polish or even even a tough cloth will destroy its numismatic value. A "dirty" uncommon coin is worth far more than a "shiny" ruined one particular.
The significance of knowing the location
Why do all of us care so significantly about a tiny notice? Well, it's all about mintage amounts. The Philadelphia mint usually cranked out there millions of these types of. But the part mints in Denver colorado and San Francisco often had very much lower production works.
When you know the walking liberty half dollar mint mark location , you can quickly scan through a jar associated with old silver plus pick out the particular winners. For example, the 1938-D is a famous "semi-key" date. While most 1930s and 40s halves are common, the 1938-D had a reduced mintage. If a person don't look on the reverse near the rim, you may just think it's another common coin.
Final thoughts on the "Walker"
The Walking Liberty half dollar is a favorite for any reason. Whether or not you're a severe collector or simply someone who inherited a couple of from a grandparent, there's something unique about holding 90% pure silver history in your hand.
Next time you're looking at your stash, remember the 1917 rule. Examine the front with regard to those early dates and the back again for everything otherwise. When you get the hang of finding the walking liberty half dollar mint mark location , it is 2nd nature. You'll be able to place that little "S" or "D" in a moment, and who knows? You might just find a hidden gem smothered in your wallet change or that old cigar package in the attic room. Happy hunting!