Which Pre-1964 half dollar do you prefer?

D. Bust Halves

FYI - for half dollars, its Walking Liberty. Standing Liberty are Quarters.

Franklins!

For me, it's a 'no brainer', I have gone with the majority.
Best design of all for a machine struck silver coin. Most appreciated in MS60 or better.

They do have a problem with extensive wear however. A strong vertical wear line develops as a diameter down the body of Lady Liberty on the obverse, and as a angled wear line on the body of the eagle and left leg of the eagle on the reverse. On Walkers, the wear pattern dominates the design on a coin that has sustained considerable circulation.

Pity. A coin designer should always consider the effects of wear on his designs. I suspect that some, but not enough attention, was paid to this.

While the walking Liberty is one of the most beautiful designs ever on a US coin along with St. Gauden's incredible work on the Double Eagle, I think my very favorite has to be the Drapped Bust Halfs.

Bust Halfs.

I primarily collect silver halves in all types but if I had to list preference they would go:

Walking liberty





Followed by seated





Then Bust





and then Franklin





I am not attached to the Barber as the design is rather plain to me.