1942-D

Denver's 10,973,800-piece output in 1942 represented a substantial branch-mint contribution to the wartime Walker supply, ranking well below the Philadelphia figure but consistent with the typical D-mint share of Walker production during the 1940s. The 90 percent silver alloy, 12.50 gram weight, and 30.61 mm diameter remained standard, with the D mintmark punched into the working die at the lower left of the reverse rock. Weinman's allegorical Liberty striding toward the sunrise and his heraldic eagle perched on a mountain crag continued unchanged from the 1916 master, though working dies were refreshed more frequently during this high-volume period.

Strike quality on the 1942-D ranks among the better Denver Walker issues, with Full Skirt and Full Thumb detail appearing on a respectable percentage of business strikes that have been preserved in original Mint State. The reverse typically shows acceptable feather definition on the eagle, though the characteristic softness on the breast and the central talon persists on lower-quality strikes. Authentication for this issue should verify the D mintmark style against known reference punches; collectors should also confirm weight within the 12.50 gram tolerance, since plated or cast counterfeits of common-date Walkers occasionally surface in lower-end retail channels. Die marker references published by both major grading services document the specific D punch position and reverse rock detail that distinguishes genuine 1942-D strikes from altered Philadelphia hosts.

Certified populations at PCGS, the Professional Coin Grading Service, and NGC, the Numismatic Guaranty Company, support strong availability through MS65, with original-skin gems showing satin to frosty luster and natural toning ranges from pale gold to deeper russet on stored rolls. Original-roll material from postwar Treasury releases supports the substantial gem-grade population recorded by both major grading services, with intact satin luster trading at premiums. For context on branch-mint output trends and the broader 1942-1945 wartime production peak, see the Walking Liberty Half Dollar series history.