1946 Walking Liberty Half Dollar - Doubled Die Reverse

Coin Details

Auction Record

Description

This is the doubled die reverse of the 1946 Walking Liberty Half Dollar. The reverse design was impressed into the working die in two slightly different positions, so the doubling belongs to the die and repeats identically on every coin it struck. Reverse doubling is overlooked more often than obverse doubling simply because collectors examine the obverse first. Check lettering with serifs, where a true doubled die gives two complete letters while machine doubling gives one letter and a flat smear beside it. Any mintage or rarity ranking given below counts the entire issue for this date and mint, not this variety: a variety comes from one die or a few, and how many coins they struck was never separately recorded. The 1946 Walking Liberty Half Dollar - Doubled Die Reverse is a half dollar minted at the Philadelphia Mint, within the Walking Liberty Half Dollars 1916-1947 series. The obverse features Liberty striding confidently toward the sunrise, draped in the American flag, carrying branches of laurel and oak symbolizing civil and military glory and the reverse displays an eagle perched on a mountain crag with wings partially unfurled, a sapling of mountain pine growing beside it. How many coins carry this variety is unknown, and any figure for the 1946 Walking Liberty Half Dollar counts the whole issue rather than this variety. Coined at the Philadelphia facility, the nation's original mint that has operated continuously since its 1792 founding. Estimated market value ranges from $48 to $9.4K depending on grade and condition. Struck in 90% silver, 10% copper, weighing 12.5 grams, 30.6 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Cataloged as PCGS #6632.

Cross References

FS-801