Adolph Weinman – Master Engraver
by Staff Editor
What do the U.S. Mercury dime and Walking Liberty half-dollar have in common? There could really be two answers to that question because (1) they were both designed by the same artist, and (2) they are both considered to be among the most beautiful of all American coins. They always rank high in every popularity poll of coin designs, and their enduring beauty has stood the test of time. These are both classic American coins that will surely be admired forever. Adolph Alexander Weinman who designed these two attractive coins was born in Germany and immigrated to this country as a young man. He studied under Saint-Gaudens and worked with Charles Niehaus, Olin Warner, and Daniel Chester French. In 1913 he executed a statue of Abraham Lincoln for the Lincoln Monument in Frankfort, Kentucky, that gained him admission to the best American sculptural circles. He also excelled as a medallist and his works were displayed at the Columbian Exposition and on the doors of the Library of Congress.
Weinman’s medals leave no room for doubt that he was an exceptionally talented sculptor. His feeling for subtleties of relief on a small scale, and his appreciation of Greek art are reflected in many of his works. In the classic head of Liberty that he engraved for the American dimes of 1916-1945 we see yet another ancient motif: the addition of wings to her helmet signifying freedom of thought. Despite Weinman’s own explanation of the symbolism, many observers saw in the wings a reflection of some Roman Republican denarii with a representation of Mercury, and for that reason these coins have forever been called Mercury dimes.
The reverse of the Weinman dime displays an ancient fasces, the symbol of power and justice, set off by an olive branch of peace. It was a powerful symbol and appropriate for the new coin designs that were intended to inspire patriotism during the World War. The style and spacing of the letters, particularly those of the word LIBERTY on the obverse, are characteristic of Weinman’s work and are repeated on his half-dollar.
Collectors are drawn to the Mercury dime series because so many of the dates and mints are easily available. All of the coins in this series were made of 90 percent silver and all were struck at one of the Mints in Philadelphia, San Francisco or Denver. None of the Philadelphia coins have a mintmark. The others are identified by a small S or D at the lower left edge of the reverse adjacent to the base of the olive branch. Dimes dated before 1940 are all scarce in high-grade condition, and definitely rare and expensive in Uncirculated grade. The 1916-D is the rarest of the series with price starting at around $500 for one in only Good condition.
The extraordinary Walking Liberty half-dollar is still so admired that the design was chosen to be used on the front of the current one-dollar bullion silver Eagle coins. It was reproduced in nearly the exact proportions and looks just as beautiful as it did more than eighty years ago on the half-dollar. Many people see in the Walking Liberty design a reflection of “The Sower” by French artist, Roty, but there is definitely a unique quality in Weinman’s work that sets it apart from any other coin. Like his dime, this design is intended to inspire patriotism with a bold image of Liberty advancing towards the sun of a new day. She is draped with a starry cloak and holds the olive branches proudly. An unfurled American flag flies in the background
The reverse of the Weinman half-dollar is certainly equally attractive and to many it is one of the most beautiful of all coin designs. The eagle stands on rocks with a gnarled tree at the left. It is a symbol of power and strength in a most life-like pose. Here again collectors are treated not only to a beautiful coin, but one that is reasonably available at modest prices for a large piece that contains over one-third ounce of pure silver.
When the Walking Liberty half-dollars were first produced in 1916 at the Denver Mint slightly over one million pieces were struck. San Francisco made just over a half-million, and the Philadelphia Mint was slated to crank out another 600,000 pieces but production problems delayed striking until January 1917. Even so those pieces were dated 1916, and the 1917 dated coins were produced later in the year.
Those 1917 dated coins were also special in another way. The early coins made in Denver and San Francisco had the mintmark placed on the obverse below IN GOD WE TRUST, the same as on 1916 coins. Late in the year the decision was made to place the mintmark on the reverse near the pine sprig. Serious collectors attempt to find one of each kind of these coins. All subsequent coins in this series have the mintmark on the reverse. There are several gaps in the dates on these coins. None were made in 1922 or from 1924 to 1926, and from 1930 to 1932. In many years the half-dollar coins were made at only one or two mints because so few were needed to supply the slow economy of the day. Some of the early dates are relatively scarce, but most of those made from 1933 to 1947 are plentiful and reasonably priced.
Courtesy of The American Historic Society Coin Collector's Newsletter
