The Walking Liberty Half Dollar
Some 40 years ago, in the early 1980s, there were discussions about striking a silver bullion coin to compete with those from other countries. The decision was made to go ahead with the idea, but then the question arose of design. What would be the most popular with collectors and bullion dealers in the United States and abroad?
The Treasury decided that the obverse of the famous Walking Liberty half dollar would be used on the bullion coin but that a new reverse was needed. Most numismatists today agree that the representation of Liberty on the half dollars of 1916-1947 was an outstanding choice. From the first issues in 1986, the 1-ounce silver coins with this artwork have repeatedly demonstrated their popularity at home and abroad.
The obverse shows a figure of Liberty walking towards the left. She is artfully draped in an American flag, which no doubt accounts for part of the general acceptance of this design. Even though now used primarily for bullion coins, the history of this representation of Liberty goes back more than a century, to the administration of President Woodrow Wilson.
The last change on the minor silver coinage had occurred in 1892 when Chief Engraver Charles Barber had designed
