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1941 Walking Liberty Half Dollar is a silent witness to history and financial circulation and a vivid symbol, the evidence of resilience, freedom, and a fortress of spirit. The 1941 half dollar is the representation of America's patriotism and national mood in difficult times. So, here we would be glad to tell you more about this amazing coin and free coin identification which may be helpful in your numismatic way.
The Historical Context
The idea of creating a coin appeared at the beginning of the 20th century as part of a campaign dedicated to the renewal of the American currency. The author of the creation of the new design is Adolf Weinman, and his design combined the principles of antique sculpture and classical motifs, as seen in the image of Walking Liberty, a symbol of progress and the future of the country.
The first time the Walking Liberty coin came to light was in 1916, i.e., the time when America had to “heal” after the Great Depression and right before World War II. Accordingly, this instance could be both the financial means of circulation and a symbol of how people felt during that time. The coin was minted between 1916 and 1947, but its issues having been minted during years of world conflict are especially valuable.
Why Is the 1941 Silver Half Dollar Special?
1941 was the last year before the United States entered the global conflict, which made this issue particularly symbolic (just like the issue of the Susan B Anthony coin 1981). But this year was also notable in terms of coin minting: in total, more than 40 million half dollars were produced at three major mints Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco.
So, what is the difference between the 1941 D walking liberty half dollar and the 1941 S walking liberty half dollar?
The Philadelphia Mint (P) issued coins without marks at all, since Philadelphia did not put designations until 1942. This is the most massive issue of the 1941 half dollar (about 24 million coins) with prices ranging high, up to $50,400 (for MS68+, Stack's Bowers).
The Denver Mint typically puts a “D” mint mark on coins. Instances with “D” mint marks have a smaller mintage (about 11 million coins) than those from Philadelphia and are considered rarer and more valuable ($36,000 for MS68, Heritage Auctions).
San Francisco Mint (S) usually labels its creations with the “S” mark, i.e., the rarest among the 1941 issue with the smaller mintage (about 8 million coins) and the outstanding 1941 half dollar value of $90,850 for MS67, Bowers & Merena.
Features of Minting and Preservation
Because of the large production volume and minting techniques, 1941 coins often had minor defects. 1941 Walking Liberty half dollar errors include off-center strike (the piece did not fall completely under the stamp, so the image on the coin shifts slightly/significantly); die cracks (refers to cracks on the stamp that can be transferred to the coin during minting); and weak strike (coins have poor detail, especially on fine design elements).
Errors on Walking Liberty Half Dollar 1941 coins can significantly increase their value. It is worth noting that such coins should be carefully examined to confirm their authenticity and error type, especially when purchased at numismatic markets.
Design Features and Main Characteristics of the Coin
Design Features
The obverse depicts Liberty walking toward a new day to meet the rising Sun (a symbol of hope and prosperity). She proudly carries the flag of America, which is recognizable by the distinctive traditional alternating stripes that the engraver has clearly displayed on the coin. In Liberty's right hand are branches of laurel and oak - symbols of peace and strength.
The reverse is no less interesting and symbolic. It depicts a majestic eagle sitting on a rock with its wings spread wide. Beneath its paws is a pine branch (i.e., a sign of longevity and resilience in American culture). The upper part of the reverse contains the inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”, at the bottom of the reverse part of the coin is the denomination – “HALF DOLLAR”.
Main Characteristics
Diameter: 30.6 mm
Weight: 12.5 grams
Material: 90% silver, 10% copper
Thickness: 2.15 mm
Edge: Ribbed
Useful Tips for Collectors
If you intend to find 1941 half dollars to add to your collection, you may want to consider the following aspects:
Pay attention to the quality of the minting. Specimens of high quality (MS65 grade and above) or instances with minting errors may be more valuable than others. The price of coins to thousand dollars.
Especially consider coins with the “S” mint mark, since they may boast low mintage figures and are the rarest.
Try to find uncirculated coins or those that have been issued in proof grade, as they keep their appearance pristine.
Use professional and up-to-date tools to evaluate your collection. Consider the Coin ID Scanner app for detailed coin identification and easy collection management. Find, evaluate, store, and organize information with a couple of clicks and enjoy the results while making your hobby as convenient, simple, and technologically advanced as possible. The app can even identify modern issues like the 2016 Canada Superman coin.
Freedom Tempered by Time
So, the 1941 half dollar coin is a beautiful coin for your collection that has something more to offer. It is literally an embodiment of America's resilience, strength, power, and longevity, issued during difficult times, when, despite all the challenges, it was necessary to move forward. This coin (regardless of its rather large mintage and small nominal value) is still of particular interest to professional numismatists and collectors, as it continues to inspire and remind us of perseverance and hope, which are so vital for every generation.
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