Years
Designer
Adolph A. Weinman
Composition
90% silver, 10% copper
Diameter
30.6 mm
Mass
12.5 g
Thickness
2.15 mm
Edge
Reeded
Mints
Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco
Metal
Silver
Design
Liberty striding toward the dawn wrapped in the flag, branches of laurel and oak in her arm. Reverse a defiant eagle on a rock. The obverse was later reused on the American Silver Eagle.
History
Weinman’s half is the flagship silver type of the 20th century. Early dates (1916–1921) are scarce; 1921-PDS are keys. The design’s high relief meant weak strikes, especially on Liberty’s hand and the eagle’s breast — 'full hand' and 'full head' are unofficial designations. No halves 1922, 1924–26, or 1930–32. The series ended as the Franklin half waited. Common late dates remain the most melted U.S. silver type after Morgan dollars.
Key dates
Varieties
1916-S · 1916-S (obverse mint mark)
design · scarce
1921-P · 1921
design · key
1921-D · 1921-D
design · key
1938-D · 1938-D
design · scarce
63 issues