1946 Walking Liberty Half Dollar: The Essential Authentication Guide for Double Die Reverse Varieties

Spotting Fakes: Your Survival Guide to 1946 Walking Half Diagnostics

As mid-century silver coins surge in popularity, the 1946 Walking Liberty half-dollar has become a minefield for collectors. Why? Counterfeiters are flooding the market with deceptive doubles – particularly fake Double Die Reverse (DDR) varieties. After inspecting hundreds of these silver beauties, I can tell you fewer than one in 100 claimed DDR specimens hold up under scrutiny. Let’s arm you with the knowledge to protect your collection and uncover genuine treasures.

Why the 1946 Walking Half Captures Collector Hearts

Adolph Weinman’s Walking Liberty design isn’t just currency – it’s wearable art. By 1946, Philadelphia’s worn WWII-era presses were battling to keep up with demand, creating the perfect storm for both fascinating errors and skilled fakes:

• Post-War Production Frenzy: Overworked dies became error-prone under production pressure
• The “Missing AW” Mystery: Aggressive die polishing sometimes erased Weinman’s initials near the eagle
• Characteristic Weak Strikes: Look for softness on the reverse details – a quirk that makes strong examples especially desirable

The Collector’s Authentication Toolkit

1. Weight & Silver Purity – Your First Line of Defense

Never skip these fundamental tests – they’ve saved me from costly mistakes:

• True Silver Heft: 12.50 grams (±0.20g tolerance) – use a calibrated scale!
• Magnetic Personality Test: Pure silver won’t flirt with magnets – any attraction spells trouble

Pro Tip: Modern “silver-washed” fakes can fool your ears with the right ping but crumble under precise weight checks and strong neodymium magnets.

2. True Doubled Dies vs. Worthless Machine Doubling

This critical distinction separates numismatic treasure from metallic mirages:

The forum example shows classic machine doubling – see how “PLURIBUS” looks dragged rather than truly doubled?

3. The Reverse’s Smoking Gun – Weinman’s Initials

That tiny “AW” near the eagle’s tail feathers tells a big story:

• Authentic “No AW” Errors:
  • Show smooth fields without tool marks
  • Display natural metal flow – no signs of tampering
  • Only verified on Proofs (none exist for 1946 business strikes)

The coin in question? Partial AW remnants mean it’s just worn – not a rare variety.

4. Wing Feathers – Nature’s Authentication Certificate

Every genuine 1946 DDR shares these flight feather fingerprints:

• Doubling concentrated on primary flight feathers (3rd-5th from top)
• Distinct notching where doubling creates separation
• Perfect pattern match to Variety Vista’s DDR-001 (FS-501)

Collector’s Secret: Bookmark Variety Vista – their overlay tool is worth its weight in silver for comparing feather details!

Fakes Exposed: Know Your Enemy

Type 1: Cast Counterfeits (The Obvious Imposters)

• Surface Red Flags: Orange peel texture, mushy details
• Weight Watchers Fail: Usually 11.8-12.2g (true silver doesn’t diet)
• Edge Evidence: Seams visible under 10x magnification

Type 2: Tooled Terrors (Sophisticated Frauds)

• Microscopic Giveaways: Scratch marks around lettering
• Doubling Discrepancies: Doesn’t match known DDR patterns
• Metal Mishandling: Artificial doubling creates burrs, not true separation

Type 3: Spark Erosion Fakes (Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing)

• Surface SOS: Pitted appearance under angled light
• Magnetic Personality: Steel cores hidden under silver plating
• Sound Test Failure: Dead “thud” instead of silver’s bright ring

The Pro’s Step-by-Step Authentication Process

When that potential DDR lands on your desk:

1. Weigh it like your retirement depends on it (because it might)
2. Test magnetism with an N52 neodymium magnet – no exceptions
3. Scrutinize the AW area at 10x – patience reveals truth
4. Compare wing feathers to Variety Vista references
5. Match obverse/reverse die markers like puzzle pieces
6. Send to NGC/PCGS if 3+ indicators line up – let the pros confirm

Collectibility & Market Realities

Where your 1946 Walking Half stands in today’s market:

• Circulated (G-VF): $10-$25 – mostly silver value
• AU Details: $40-$75 – for those with strong eye appeal
• MS63: $150-$300 – where true collectibility begins
• Certified DDR (FS-501): $500-$2,000+ – the holy grail for variety specialists
• “No AW” Proofs: $5,000+ (but remember – none exist for 1946 business strikes!)

Conclusion: The Thrill of the Hunt

While our forum example turned out to be machine doubling, its examination reveals why the 1946 Walking Half remains endlessly fascinating. With only seven confirmed DDR specimens graded since 2005, these coins demand forensic-level scrutiny. Remember three sacred rules: True doubling shows separation, not smudges; missing initials require Proof provenance; and weight never fibs. For those willing to master these diagnostics, each Walking Liberty half becomes a potential masterpiece waiting to be authenticated – and that’s what makes our numismatic passion so rewarding.

Related Resources

You might also find these related articles helpful:

• Unlocking Hidden Treasure: The 1946 Walking Liberty Half Dollar’s Double Die Errors & Missing Initials Rarity – Most collectors walk right past microscopic details that transform common coins into five-figure rarities. But for seaso…
• The Hidden History Behind 1946 Walking Liberty Half: A Journey Through Post-War America – The Historical Significance of 1946 Every coin whispers a story. When you hold this 1946 Walking Liberty Half Dollar, yo…
• The 1946 Walking Liberty Half Dollar: Real Market Value Beyond the Book Price – The Enduring Legacy of the 1946 Walking Liberty Half Dollar As the final curtain call for Adolph A. Weinman’s mast…