The United States Mint continues its countdown to America’s Semiquincentennial with the unveiling of the third pairing in its 2026 Best of the Mint program — a tribute to Adolph A. Weinman’s celebrated Walking Liberty design.
Serving as one chapter in a five-part numismatic journey — issued alongside redesigned circulating coins for the year — the U.S. Mint’s Best of the Mint series revisits iconic works of American coinage, re-created in modern form to honor the Nation’s 250th anniversary. Earlier reveals showcased the Mercury dime and Standing Liberty quarter, each to be reissued in gold and accompanied by a companion silver medal. Now, the spotlight shifts to the Walking Liberty half dollar.
Walking Liberty Design
First issued in 1916, Weinman’s half dollar design was hailed for its artistry and symbolism, depicting Liberty striding toward the dawn of a new day, draped in the American flag and carrying laurel and oak branches as symbols of strength and victory. Its reverse shows a bold eagle perched on a rocky crag, wings unfolded in readiness for flight.
These silver halves circulated through the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, and two World Wars, leaving an indelible mark on U.S. coinage history. The design’s legacy endures today on American Silver Eagles, introduced in 1986 and still among the most collected coins in the world.
2026 Walking Liberty Gold Coin and Modern Interpretation on Silver Medal
As part of the 250th anniversary program, the Mint will re-strike the Walking Liberty half dollar in 1/2 oz. of 99.99% fine gold, bearing its original issue date and a Liberty Bell "250" privy mark. The reverse depicts a fierce eagle standing on a rocky mountain crag.
The companion 1 oz. .999 fine silver medal reimagines Weinman’s imagery as a continuous scene across its obverse and reverse, presented in the art deco style that succeeded his neoclassical vision.
Additional details on mintages, product limits, and release dates will be announced closer to launch.
2026 Coinage Celebrating America’s Semiquincentennial
As part of the year-long anniversary observance, circulating U.S. coins in 2026 will feature special one-year-only designs honoring the nation’s people, ideals, and evolving story, including an updated cent and nickel, unique versions of the dime, half dollar, and five Semiquincentennial quarters themed to the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, Abolition, Suffrage, and Civil Rights. These updates are authorized under the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-330).
Together with the special circulating coinage, the Best of the Mint program is a central part of the Mint’s tribute to America’s 250th, combining one-year-only designs with modern reimaginings of historic favorites in gold and silver.
The Mercury dime gold coin and silver medal was announced in July, with the Standing Liberty set following in August. The Walking Liberty gold coin and silver medal now continue the series, as the Mint prepares to unveil new pairings each month leading up to the 250th anniversary.
