1918

Philadelphia produced 6,634,000 Walking Liberty halves in 1918, a healthy figure that places this date in the middle tier of the series by total output. Production at the parent mint moved smoothly that year, and the issue lacks a mintmark since branch identifiers were reserved for Denver and San Francisco strikings. Beginning with the 1917 transition, mintmarks migrated from the obverse field beneath IN GOD WE TRUST to the reverse, where the small letter sits near the eagle's tail feathers on the lower-left rock. The 1918 Philadelphia issue is the no-mintmark anchor for that calendar year and is typically the cheapest of the three 1918 dates in lower circulated grades, although it becomes meaningfully harder in choice mint state.

Collectors hunting this date prioritize strike completeness on Liberty's left hand and the thumb area of her skirt, both of which were chronic soft zones on Walkers across the entire run. On the reverse, the eagle's central breast feathers and the talon gripping the perch carry the same weakness, and well-struck examples carry strong premiums even at MS63 and MS64. Surfaces should show the satiny luster typical of 1910s Philadelphia silver production. Authentication checks include verifying the 12.50 g weight and 30.61 mm diameter, inspecting the reeded edge for filing or seam evidence, and confirming the absence of a mintmark since added-D and added-S forgeries occasionally surface on host coins of this type. Die markers on genuine Philadelphia 1918 obverses include light radial flow lines through the field once dies became late-state.

Population data from Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) indicates the 1918 Philadelphia is available with patience through MS65, while MS66 examples thin out and MS67 coins are genuine condition rarities. Type collectors often source this date for the no-mintmark slot, while date-set builders compare it to 1918-D and 1918-S for relative scarcity in their preferred grade. For full context on the design, specifications, and production timeline, see the Walking Liberty Half Dollar series history.