[The following excerpt is published courtesy of DLRC Press and its author, Bruce Fox. This information was originally published in 1993 in The Complete Guide to Walking Liberty Half Dollars]
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MINTAGE: 5,554,000
VARIETIES: None Reported
SCARCITY: This is a high mintage coin and AU coins are plentiful. They can easily appear to be mint state to inexperienced numismatists. Circulated examples are readily available. True mint state coins are scarce and fully struck specimens are extremely rare. One of the 5 scarcest of the series in fully struck gem condition.
RARITY RATING: G/VG R1; F/VF R1; EF/AU R2; MS60/MS63 R4; MS64 R5; MS65 R5
RARITY CONSENSUS: G/VG 22/65, F/VF 22/65; EF/AU 26/65; MS60/MS62 20/65; MS63 17/65; MS64 16/65; MS65 11/65
TOTAL MS PCGS/NGC/ANACS = 208 (Ranking 13/65).
COMMENTS: Fully struck gems are undervalued and underpriced. Striking problems, especially in the hand and eagle’s breast area, plague this issue. Abrasions are average. Surfaces appear to be a bit brighter than on other issues of 1916 and 1917, normally showing the subdued, satin luster common to this era. Some even display frost with a cartwheel effect. Investment potential is well above average for grades MS63 and higher, particularly for above average strikes.