Considered by many to be one of the most attractive and artistic US coin designs, the Walking Liberty Half Dollar series is beloved with collectors. However, error coins from this series are very uncommon to encounter. Heritage Auctions will be offering a great 1944 Walking Liberty Half error--an offcenter broadstrike--that should bring significant attention when it crosses the auction block at the August ANA Sale #1318.

A broadstrike occurs when the collar that normally encircles the coin blank (planchet) malfunctions or is not present. Without a collar to keep things in order, the coin becomes wider and less contained than intended, deforming the rim of the piece.

This "oops" moment from the US Mint somehow escaped the Mint facility and made its way into the hands of the public. However, a discerning eye must have noticed the coin's oddity right away, as it was set aside in Mint State condition and is today graded MS62 by PCGS. Our catalogers explain, "All Walking Liberty errors are scarce, and only a few off-center strikes are reported. Here is a dual error, since the coin is also broadstruck, as if it was struck with the planchet sitting atop the collar. Dramatic mint errors happen when a planchet is only slightly oversized, which may have been the case here. The fact that the coin is Mint State, with pleasing golden-gray patina and soft mint luster, adds to its considerable appeal."

Images Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, HA.com

1944 50C Walking Liberty Half -- Uncentered Broadstrike -- MS62 PCGS