1937 - S Arkansas versus 1939 Arkansas

DisneyFan

Which PCGS commemorative Arkansas half dollar would you rather own?

COIN *** Mintage *** MS65 POP *** MS65 VALUE *** MS66 POP *** MS66 VALUE *** MS67 POP ***MS67 VALUE
1937-S *** 5,506 ****** 263+3 ****** $250 ***********79+8 ******* $700 ************ 8+3 ******* $10,000
1939 ***** 2,104 ***** 181+1 ****** $650 ********** 68+18 ****** $1,600 ************ 4+1 ********$18,000

Your thoughts and comments,please.

Mark

Well, since I can afford both in MS66 (and, indeed have one of each in MS66), I guess if I could own only one, I'd take the one that I think is prettier. I doubt either would be a tremendous financial investment in 66, so why not go with the nicer? And, since I definitely do not want to spend what it would take to buy a 67, I don't even worry about those coins.

bigmountainlion

1939 because of lower mintage. I have a MS64 and a MS65. Price have dropped after I purchased them though...

ricko

I would need them in hand to make a final decision...I acquire coins that I personally like.... so a lot depends on visual examination. Cheers, RickO

Broadstruck

The 1939 only matters to those doing a 144 piece set.

It might be tougher but it's reasonably easy to locate nice.

Cougar1978

I would take the 1937-S Ark in 65 at $250. Put in online store or have in case in show at $325. This is something most buyers can afford and doesn’t make me nervous in terms of potential downside (current market conditions).

The money left over I would spend on a more expensive coin in your listing would be nice slabbed gold coins near melt.

PQueue

If you are collecting Commemoratives, neither. Get a commonn Arkansas type coin date (one from 1935, 36 P or D) and put the $s saved into bettering your representative of a key date.

kiyote

This just reminds me what a beautiful coin the Arkansas half is.

DisneyFan

@PQueue said:
If you are collecting Commemoratives, neither. Get a commonn Arkansas type coin date (one from 1935, 36 P or D) and put the $s saved into bettering your representative of a key date.

Interesting comment about "key dates." In the 144 set, a MS66 1937-S Arkansas has one of the lowest POPs. The well known condition rarities, Sesquicentennial, Grant STAR and the two for Missouri do have lower POPS. The Big Three, Hawaiian, Hudson and Spanish Trail have higher POPS.

jmlanzaf

@DisneyFan said:

@PQueue said:
If you are collecting Commemoratives, neither. Get a commonn Arkansas type coin date (one from 1935, 36 P or D) and put the $s saved into bettering your representative of a key date.

Interesting comment about "key dates." In the 144 set, a MS66 1937-S Arkansas has one of the lowest POPs. The well known condition rarities, Sesquicentennial, Grant STAR and the two for Missouri do have lower POPS. The Big Three, Hawaiian, Hudson and Spanish Trail have higher POPS.

True, but you need to look at it as a Type Coin. The TOTAL mintage of Arkansas halves is significantly higher than "The Big Three" with 85,000 made.

It is amazing, when you think about it. If Arkansas was a Merc Dime at 85,000 minted, what would be it's value?

messydesk

I'd rather own the 39 in 67+ (birthday is in December, thank you). I'd rather buy a really nice 37-S in 65.

Mark

Here is a 35-S. MS 67.

Kove

I've built a set of 144 and faced this dilemma.

There are dull and lifeless Arkansas in holders up to MS 66.

With this series, I'd have to see the exact coin to make a call.

winesteven

@PQueue said:
If you are collecting Commemoratives, neither. Get a common Arkansas type coin date (one from 1935, 36 P or D) and put the $s saved into bettering your representative of a key date.

I agree, as I’m about halfway through putting together a 50 coin Type Set. The Arkansas I’m looking for is any one of the more common dates graded MS66+ graded by PCGS w/CAC (in this series, the “premium” for those with CAC’s is often minimal). But regardless of the above, YOU have to like the coins eye appeal before purchasing. Don’t just fill holes, and don’t rush. Patience is important. Happy Hunting!

DisneyFan

I think this is where the PCGS Registry only offering the 50 coin (without giving credit to the better varieties) and then leaping to the 144 coin sets isn't helping the collecting of Classic Commemoratives. Yes, I am aware of the specialized sets like Arkansas. For a collector thinking of spending $56,080 on a 144 coin set in MS 65 is a little mind boggling. Putting together a 50 coin type set for $27,905 seems a little more reasonable. However, once that set is completed and a ongoing interest is there, a 55 coin set including the Grant Star, Alabama Star, Missouri 2X2, double date Boone & Pilgrim coins suggested by David Hall in past years would be a logical next step. After that one could do a date set with every year represented. Suddenly, a 144 coin set doesn't seem to be so unreachable.