1940-S 50c MS PL

Prooflike surfaces. The toughest date of all the 1940’s Walking Liberty Half Dollar, the 1940-S is underrated because the more common 1941-S receives more attention for being part of the popular short set. The 1940-S is readily available in Mint State up to MS66, which is slightly better. Only its finest MS67 is very scarce. A major warning with this issue is that it is known to have the weakest strike of all Walkers. Liberty is very often flat and without any detail vertically up the center of the device.

Obverse Description

Liberty portrayed standing on a rock, facing left, with flowing robes and her right hand outstretched with a star-covered drapery flowing behind her. I bright sun, with extended rays is rising from the horizon on the lower left. The word LIBERTY frames the periphery and date appears at the bottom center. and the motto IN GOD WE TRUST is in the right field.

Reverse Description

A large eagle perched on a rock, facing left with wings elevated in a defensive posture. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and HALF DOLLAR appear on the periphery. The motto E PLURIBUS UNUM sits atop a small olive branch left of the eagle. The mintmark is small, and placed below the olive branch near the left rim.