1943-S

San Francisco's 13,450,000-piece 1943 output marked a substantial year-over-year increase from the prior year's S-mint total and supported continuing Pacific Coast commerce during wartime cash demands. Specifications followed the standard 90 percent silver alloy at 12.50 grams, 30.61 mm diameter, and reeded edge, with the S mintmark hand-punched into the reverse die at the lower-left rock position. Weinman's 1916 master design remained the working template, and overall die quality during this period benefited from the procedural refinements introduced in the late 1930s.

Strike characteristics on the 1943-S vary noticeably more than on the Philadelphia equivalent, with weakness on Liberty's left hand and the eagle's central feathers appearing on a larger share of business strikes. Full Thumb and Full Skirt examples are attainable but require active selection from grading-service holders or carefully inspected raw pieces. Authentication should include scrutiny of the S mintmark style against known 1940s S-mint reference punches, with attention to mintmark sharpness relative to surrounding rock detail; collectors should also verify weight within the 12.50 gram standard and inspect for any signs of mintmark strengthening or addition. Die marker references published by both major grading services document the specific S punch position and reverse rock detail that distinguishes genuine 1943-S strikes from altered Philadelphia hosts.

PCGS, the Professional Coin Grading Service, and NGC, the Numismatic Guaranty Company, certify ample populations through MS65, but MS66 examples with strong strike and original surfaces appear meaningfully less often than for the Philadelphia issue, with the top-pop tier at MS66+ remaining limited. Original-roll material from postwar releases supports the meaningful gem-grade population, though MS66 pieces combining strong strike with fully original surfaces appear noticeably less often than for the corresponding Philadelphia date. For broader context on San Francisco Walker production and series-wide strike patterns, see the Walking Liberty Half Dollar series history.