The 1944-S is comparable in mint state and Gem condition to the 1943-S. They are both somewhat scarce, though not rare. However, strike is a major problem with the 1944-S and many mint state specimens are very softly struck thru the central devices, specifically Ms. Liberty's left hand. The 1944-S is the second weakest strike in the Walking Liberty half dollar series with only the 1940-S being worse. A very sharply struck 1944-S half dollar is definitely a rare coin and 100% fully struck coins basically do not exist.
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. Weinman. In 1915, the new Mint Director, Robert W. 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. 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. Barber, and first struck in 1892. 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. Weinman's design of Liberty striding towards the Sun for the half dollar proved difficult to perfect, and Treasury Secretary William G. McAdoo, whose department included the Mint, considered having Barber create his own design. 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. Nevertheless, art historian Cornelius Vermeule considered the piece to be among the most beautiful US coins. Since 1986, a modification of Weinman's obverse design has been used for the American Silver Eagle, and the half dollar was issued in gold for its centennial in 2016.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes
This is what I was looking for. A lustrous coin, not a good strike on the left hand but a clean, brilliant coin. Cost was a factor as well, since the next higher grade was much more than I wanted to pay for a year/mint with a poor strike. This coin was nice for the grade.
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Good strike showing detail in flag. Nice mint lustute on majority of coin
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We all loved the Franklin half....and following the dull days of the barber years could frankly use a bit of sunshine and beauty in our lives. and the ''walker'' did just that. in that time of classics like the mercury dimes and peace dollar the walking liberty had us all marching toward the sunrise of the golden era of America in this iconic design that to no surprise is still to this day used on the American silver eagle and has been for twenty nine years now!!!
Verified purchase: Yes