The Huntsville (Alabama) Mercury, however, expressed its dislike of the new half dollar. Banking, the journal of the American Bankers Association stated that “The designs of the new coins have been highly praised by those having expert knowledge of such matters.” A Connecticut newspaper predicted readers would like the new half dollar five times as much as the new dime. ![]() It stated that the Mint was working as hard as possible to keep up with demand, but that initially quantities would be limited. The New York Times noted on January 3 that the new pieces had been received by the Sub-Treasury and would be released two to a customer, starting on January 9. Despite the minimal publicity, according to a January 1917 report from Mint Adjuster Chaffin, all three mints initially had trouble keeping up with public demand for the new half dollars. ![]() The quarter dominated what public attention there was with argument over whether the eagle on its reverse was portrayed accurately. There were few newspaper mentions of the new walking liberty half dollar the United States was moving towards war with Germany, and the dime release had exhausted much of the public interest in the novelty of new coins. Springing from a rift in the rock is a sapling of mountain pine, symbolical of America.Īlthough the dime’s debut on Octohad seen considerable publicity, the Mint had little comment on the release of the half dollar and Standing Liberty quarter the following January. The reverse of the half dollar shows an eagle perched high upon a mountain crag, his wings unfolded, fearless in spirit and conscious of his power. The hand of the figure is outstretched in bestowal of the spirit of liberty. Since 1986, a modification of Weinman’s obverse design has been used for the American Silver Eagle.Īccording to Secretary McAdoo in his 1916 annual report, The design of the walking liberty half dollar bears a full-length figure of Liberty, the folds of the Stars and Stripes flying to the breeze as a background, progressing in full stride toward the dawn of a new day, carrying branches of laurel and oak, symbolical of civil and military glory. Nevertheless, art historian Cornelius Vermeule considered the piece to be among the most beautiful US coins. Mint officials were successful in getting Weinman’s design into production, although it never struck very well, which may have been a factor in its replacement by the Franklin half dollar beginning in 1948. McAdoo, whose department included the Mint, considered having Barber create his own design. Weinman’s design of Liberty striding towards the Sun for the half dollar proved difficult to perfect, and Treasury Secretary William G. ![]() Woolley had the Commission of Fine Arts conduct a competition, as a result of which Weinman was selected to design the dime and half dollar. ![]() He therefore began the process of replacing the Barber coinage: dimes, quarters and half dollars, all bearing similar designs by long-time Mint Engraver Charles E. Woolley, came to believe that he was not only allowed but required by law to replace coin designs that had been in use for 25 years. In 1915, the new Mint Director, Robert W. The Walking Liberty half dollar was a silver 50-cent piece or half dollar coin issued by the United States Mint from 1916 to 1947 it was designed by Adolph A.
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