1916-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar (1916-S 50C Walking Liberty) PCGS MS65. Lightly toned, shimmering surfaces characterize this gem Walking Liberty half dollar. Shades of silver, silver-grey, and tan are seen on both sides of this piece with most of the toning closer to the rims. The frosted devices, especially Liberty and the eagle look as if they are ready to jump off the coin. For the grade, the surfaces are original, clean, and free of distractions worth of individual mention. The coin is typically struck for a coin of this date and mint, which are most often weak on Libertys hand, head, and the eagles breast.

Adolph A. Weinman designed the Walking Liberty Half Dollar, which was minted from 1916 to 1947. The obverse depicts a full length portrait of Liberty striding towards a rising sun, perhaps symbolizing a new era. Behind her shoulders is a star-spangled cape. In her left hand she holds olive branches. Her right hand is outstretched in a gesture of peace. She is surrounded by a widely spaced LIBERTY. At her lower right is a brilliant, rising sun that has thirteen rays. IN GOD WE TRUST is in two lines between the Y in LIBERTY and her back foot. The date is below. On the reverse a fierce looking eagle is perched on a rocky cliff. It faces left and its wings are upraised. A sprig of pine grows in a crevice to the left. The sprig represents strength. Eventually it could crack the rock as it grows. At the end of the branch of pine is the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM written in two lines. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is in an arc at the top. The denomination, HALF DOLLAR, is below the eagle. The mintmark is on the obverse under the motto.

Adolph A. Weinman was born on December 11, 1870 in Karlsruhe, Germany. He moved to the United States when he was ten years old. He attended night classes at Cooper Union when he was fifteen and later was a student at the Art Students League of New York, where he studied with sculptor, designer Augustus Saint-Gaudens and Philip Martiny, another sculptor. In 1904 he opened his own studio. He considered himself an architectural sculptor, as was Saint-Gaudens; however, Weinman is now best known for his coin and medal designs. He is particularly remembered for his Walking Liberty Half Dollar, from which the American Silver Eagle bullion coin is derived; the Mercury dime, and several medals for the armed services of the United States. His sculptures can be found in several state capitol buildings, the Manhattan Municipal Building, Madison Square Presbyterian Church, Penn Station and others. He created a dramatic sculpture on the Elks National Veterans Memorial in Chicago as well as sculptures for the Post Office Department Building, the Jefferson Memorial and the U.S. Supreme Court. He died on August 8, 1952 in Port Chester, New York.

Both grading services, PCGS and NCG have this coin tied for third finest. At PCGS there are 14 better and at NGC there are 12 better.