Week # 173 Why did they flip their Lib's?

[Melissa Pearce]

QUESTION:

 

Why was the mintmark on Walking Liberty Half Dollars moved from the obverse to the reverse?

 

Good Luck!

 

Our first place winner will receive a copy of the leather bound " Limited Edition " 2005 Red Book. A prize will be awarded to a randomly selected player.

 

 

 

REMINDER: The Numisma-Quest ends/ended on Saturday at midnight EST. Entries after that time will not be valid. See the Trivia Info post for more details.

When you post your answer, only the administrators can see it. Stop back each Monday. We will make all the posts visible and announce the winners

 

Post Extras:

[BankNote1]

It was moved to the reverse because the Mint Director thought the mint mark was to prominet on the obverse. He thought it looked like a die defect on the coin.

[midwest]

Because all other coins of the time had the mintmarks on the reverse.

[HKnJ-migration]

Because the mint mark shows somewhat like a defect come from the rather than a mint mark.

[Proof__Coins20-migration]

Because mint director F.J.H. von Engel ordered it not to be on the obverse, but be changed to the reverse.

[Elbesaar]

The mint director ordered the change from obverse mint marks to the reverse because he thought the obverse mint marks looked like a defect in the die.

[PovertyRow]

It was thought to look too much like a die defect when on the front.

[Oldtrader3]

Because Weinman's dime had the mintmark on the reverse?

[RobertB]

Because........." in February, 1917, Mr. Von Engelken, the mind director, ordered it moved to the reverse because "the obverse mint mark had the appearance of a defect in the die and was entirely too prominent."

[Jabba-migration]

I have no idea but Im going to take a guess!

Was it moved to try and help with the weak striking characteristics of the desigh?

[Danielle C.]

QUESTION:

 

Why was the mintmark on Walking Liberty Half Dollars moved from the obverse to the reverse?

 

ANSWER:

 

The Mint Director believed that it was too prominent and appeared to be a defect in the dies.

Congratulations Banknote1!! You are this week's winner. You will be receiving a Limited Edition leatherbound 2005 Red Book.

 

Congratulations Elbesaar!! You are this week's runner up winner. You will be receiving a 2005 Red Book.

 

Thanks for playing and stop back next week for another question. Keep up the good work!

[Elbesaar]

 

Danielle,

 

Thanks for the certified coin box. I can always use one of these.

(Glad I didn't receive a 2005 Red Book, already have one !)

 

Elbesaar