Finest-Known 1919-S Half Dollar Heads to the Auction Block!

Dallas, Texas: Minted between 1916 and 1947, the Walking Liberty Half Dollar, or "Walker," as it is commonly termed, has been called the most majestic piece of American coinage ever circulated. Designed by Adolph A. Weinman, a student of the celebrated sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, the coin replaced the Barber half, which had circulated for many years previously. Due to their intrinsic beauty and striking imagery, Walkers have become one of the most collected coins in US history.

"The example of this popular coin that we're offering in our upcoming auction is the single finest 1919-S Walker that has been certified by NGC," said Greg Rohan, President of Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries, "and it is numerically finer than any example ever certified by PCGS."

"Both sides of this Superb Gem are fully brilliant with highly lustrous surfaces," Rohan said. "Light ivory color is accented by wisps of gold and iridescent toning, especially tight along the borders on each side. A few tiny abrasions are visible in the right obverse field, but the surfaces are essentially flawless. It is sharply struck, as well. The upper skirt lines in Liberty's flowing gown are weakly defined as always, yet the thumb on her branch hand is fully visible."

"This issue has received relatively little attention," Rohan said, "living in the shadow of its Denver Mint cousin. Sharply struck Gem quality examples of the '19-S Walker are true rarities as most are weakly defined. Most numismatic advisors will recommend that just such a coin, a Gem example with strong design details, be the goal of collectors. The connoisseur will want to consider this Superb Gem example, which offers everything that an advanced collector could want, and more besides."

Heritage Auction Galleries will offer the 1919-S 50C MS67 NGC in their upcoming Signature Auction, to be held July 7-8, 2006 in Dallas, Texas.

Images, descriptions, and prices realized from all of Heritage's previous auctions are available in the Permanent Auction Archives at the Heritage website.

To reserve your copy of a catalog for any upcoming Heritage auction, please contact Nicole Jewell, c/o Heritage Auction Galleries, 3500 Maple Avenue, 17th Floor, Dallas, TX 75219, or call 1-800-872-6467, ext. 272.