1945 50C Walking Liberty (1945 Walking Liberty Half Dollar) PCGS AU55. Because this choice Almost Uncirculated 1945 50C Walking Liberty coin is a broadstrike, its edge is slightly larger and there no reeding. The coin has significant mint luster remaining within its devices. The coin is lightly struck, as are most circulation-strikes in the series; although, we do see Libertys left thumb in the center of the obverse. The coin shows light wear on the high points, consistent with the grade, along with light abrasion, especially on the obverse. While essentially a white coin, there is some obverse toning in the right field and on Libertys skirt. There is just a touch of toning on the eagles breast, its legs, and the area above the denomination.

A broadstrike takes place when the coin is struck out of the collar. Because the collar is not mounted rigidly and is allowed to retract under excessive pressure, the bottom die moves upward after a strike to allow ejection of the coin. The lower die continuously moves up and down inside the collar. If some debris gets between the shaft and the collar, it no longer can move up and down. When the collar gets jammed down, a blank being fed into it will not be held by it. That blank will spread outward since there is no collar to control it. It will be larger than a normal coin with no reeding on the edge. Since the blank of this coin is a Type 2, which was given a raised rim when it went through the upset mill, this raised rim is visible on the coin. In the upset mill, the blank is squeezed to a smaller diameter and is at the same time given a low proto-rim at the outer margin of each side. Since this coins blank was well centered between the dies, the design is well centered too. If the broadstruck coin were missing any part of the design, it would be called an off-center strike, which is then considered another type of error.

Adolph A. Weinman designed the Walking Liberty Half Dollar; it 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.
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 he 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.