1917 Walking Liberty x3

America's entry into The Great War in April of 1917 prompted a tremendous increase in demand for minor and subsidiary coins. This is reflected in the massive production of half dollars at the Philadelphia Mint that year. Indeed, this was a 50% increase over the prior record set in 1876.

Most 1917(P) halves are fairly well struck, and a small percentage are extremely so. In terms of overall quality this issue is superior to that of 1916 and makes for a better type coin. The half dollars of 1916 and early 1917 display textured fields that were incorporated into the artist's original models. During 1917 the U. S. Mint smoothed out the fields to extend die life and give the coins a more conventional appearance.

Gems of the 1917(P) half dollar are common through MS-65, but the number drop off rapidly above that level. A great number of these coins were saved by the general public for the simple reason that they were the first pieces encountered. The small mintage of 1916(P) halves was released at the same time as the first 1917 coins, and the latter far outnumbered them in the channels of commerce. 1917(P) half dollars are frequently seen with very deep toning from having been set aside as souvenirs and then forgotten and stored in less than ideal environments.