Mint strike question for Walking Liberty Half Dollars
jesbroken
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I have noticed on many 1937 S Walking Liberty Half Dollars this striation in the field next to Liberty. Exactly what part of the striking process causes this? Is it pressure related, or worn dies, new dies? Also, which book would you recommend that fully explains all the strike characteristics and their causes with photos?
Thanks,
Jim
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I will defer to the experts here.... However, IMO, they look like die polish lines that perhaps removed a die clash. Cheers, RickO
I dont know if you ever found the answer to your question but I too am seeking the same information...
That is just metal flow caused by die fatigue IMO.
Addition to die fatigue, the San Francisco Mint seemed to have problems striking these coins in the late 1930s and ‘40s. Many dates are known to often come with design elements missing, like Ms. Liberty’s hand.
Agree with @clarkbar04 and @BillJones metal flow from die deterioration. Many of mine from that era contain the same. Die polish lines are generally very thin or wispy and closely spaced in parallel.