Walking Liberty Half Dollar: American Gem

The dawn of the Twentieth Century was not one of the more auspicious times in the Numismatic community of the United States.

Adolph Alexander Weinman was chosen to create the new design for the half dollar.

As with many of the designers of our coinage, Weinman was not native to the United States. He was born in Karlsruhe, Germany in 1870. His family moved to New York when Adolph was 10 years old. Weinman's artistic talent was recognized early. He was apprenticed to F. R. Kaldenberg to study wood and ivory carving. He later attended Cooper Union, studying under sculptor Philip Martiny for 5 years. Weinman became assistant to Olin L Warner (founding member of the National Sculpture Society) in 1895, serving until Warner's death the following year. From Warner's death until 1898 Weinman worked under Augustus Saint-Gaudens.

The value of a coin is based on two factors. The first is how rare the coin is. This is a combination of how many coins were originally minted, and what happened to them. Some are destroyed accidentally. Some have been recalled by the government. Collectors have taken some out of circulation. As a particular type of coin has fewer examples available, it becomes more valuable. The other factor is the physical condition of a coin. The closer a specimen is to perfect is, the more valuable it becomes. So a rare, perfect coin is much more valuable than a common, worn coin.
The American Numismatic has developed a grading system to describe the condition of a coin. What I will discuss here is coins that have been minted to go into general circulation, released. The conditions of the coins are represented by names, as well as a combination of letters and numbers. I have summarized some general conditions here.

Perfect Uncirculated (MS-70) This indicates a coin in perfect, new condition. It shows no trace of handling, wear, or contact with other coins. It may retain the full mint luster, or it may be lightly toned.

Gem Uncirculated (MS-65) This is an above average uncirculated coin. It may be brilliant, or it may be lightly toned. There are very few contact marks either on either surface of the coin or on the rim.

Choice Uncirculated (MS-63) This coin has some distracting contact marks and/or blemishes in the prime focal areas of one or both surfaces. The luster of the coin may be impaired, or it may be lightly fingermarked.

Uncirculated (MS-60) This coin has no trace of wear, but it may show several contact marks, and the surface of the coin may lack luster, or even be spotted or heavily toned.

Choice About Uncirculated (AU-55) There is evidence of friction on the high points of the coin's design, especially Lady Liberty's head, breast and right arm. On the coin's reverse, there is minor wear evident below the eagle's neck and on its left leg. Most of the mint luster remains.

About Uncirculated (AU-50) This coin shows traces of light wear on many of the high points of the coin. At least half of the original mint luster is still present. On the reverse, traces of wear are evident on the center of the head and of both wings. In spite of this wear, all leg feathers remain visible.

Choice Extremely Fine (EF-45) The coin exhibits light overall wear on the highest points of the coin. Some of the original mint luster is still evident. All design details are still very clear and sharp. Almost all of the gown lines remain visible.

Extremely Fine (EF-40) There is light wear throughout the design, but all features of the design are still sharp and well-defined. Although not an essential element to the the definition of this grade, some traces of mint luster may still exist. Lady Liberty's breast and knee are nearly worn flat. On the reverse, at least half of the eagle's breast and leg feathers are still visible.

Choice Very Fine (VF-30) Light, even wear on the surface and highest parts throughout the design. All major features of the design, as well as al lettering remain sharp. On the reverse, the eagle's breast and legs are moderately worn, with some feathers still visible between them. Feather tips are still clearly visible on both wings.

Very Fine (VF-20) While all major details of the design remain clear, there is moderate wear on high points of the coin's design.

Fine (F-12) There is moderate to considerable even wear. The design remains bold, and the overall appearance of the coin is still pleasing to the eye. The eagle's breast is worn smooth, and the and half the wing feathers are still visible. Although worn, the rim is still full.

Very Good (VG-8) The coin is well worn with the main features of the design remaining clear and bold, although they have been worn somewhat flat. There is a clear distinction here in that coins minted after 1921 must retain the stripes of Lady Liberty's gown, prior to 1921 these may be worn flat. Only one third of the eagle's feathers remain visible. The coin's rim is still full with the lettering still clearly distinct from the rim.

Good (G-4) This coin is heavily worn. The design is still visible, but many of the details are flat, and the design is faint in some areas.

About Good (AG-3) This coin is very heavily worn with portions of the lettering, date, and legend have been worn smooth. In many instances, the date is barely readable.

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