Calling WLH Specialists

Eric_Babula

I'm in the process of cataloging my collection, and I'm on WLH's that I've had for decades, now. I have 59 of the Date/MM Set (in G-4 to maybe EF-40, many cleaned, so nothing special).

I have to admit that I am not a WLH expert by any means.

I've tried to look up what are the Key Dates and Semi-Key Dates, but am finding that the sources are all over the place with what's what. I even found this thread on CT from a few years ago: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/walking-liberty-half-key-dates.400896/ But, I'm just as lost as ever. In lower grades (say VF-30 and lower), are the 21-PDS the only Keys? Would Semi-Keys include: 16-P/D/S, 17-D/S (incl. Obv and Rev), 18-D, 19-P/D/S, 23-S, and 38-D? Would you eliminate any of that? Add others?

Is there a definitive source that explains WLH Key and Semi-Key Dates/MMs?

On the PLUS side, I glanced at the Cherrypicker's Guide (4th ed.), and on the first page of WLH's it mentions a few varieties, including missing designer's initials on a 1945-P. To my surprise, I did find this one! Sorry about the bad pics - quick shots with the phone. Notice - NO designer's initials on the reverse - the other five I have DO have the initials. So, that was fun! I'm thinking maybe VF-30. Thoughts?

normmalin

I'm no expert, but this link takes you to the PCGS pricing guide for WLHs. You can figure out from the values presented what is a key or not.

https://www.pcgs.com/prices/detail/walking-liberty-half-dollar/733/most-active

TomB

I wouldn't get caught up in key date or semi-key date labels. After all, it is subjective nomenclature and the dates can change somewhat based upon grade level or eye appeal aesthetics. If you need to label the more valuable coins then I might suggest simply buying a Red Book and noting the most valuable coins in the grades that you own. Essentially, this is how most lists such as key date or semi-key date are made.

Eric_Babula

@TomB said:
I wouldn't get caught up in key date or semi-key date labels. After all, it is subjective nomenclature and the dates can change somewhat based upon grade level or eye appeal aesthetics. If you need to label the more valuable coins then I might suggest simply buying a Red Book and noting the most valuable coins in the grades that you own. Essentially, this is how most lists such as key date or semi-key date are made.

@normmalin and @TomB - I was thinking along those lines. I looked up numismedia.com prices, and that's where I got my short list, given the grades of G - VF. I was just wondering if there was a definitive list out there in one of the WLH books, or online. I do have access to PCGS prices online, and I have the 2023 Red Book. they all seem to more or less agree with the list I came up with, but that's just me making that list out of thin air - not from an expert.

Thanks for the help!

breakdown

There are two different books on Walkers worth acquiring and that have information on the key dates.

The older book is by Fox and there is a more recent one by Jeff Ambio of Stacks Bowers.

Walkerguy21D

It’s kind of a tricky series, and very dependent on grade. Condition is the real “key”.

I don’t think of the 38D being a key or even a semi key in any grade, as it’s abundant. But it is popular, which props up the price.

In low grade, likewise, none are really keys either, but the low mintage coins of the pre-1923 issues are slightly tougher.

When you get to true Fine and VF, the 21p and d are keys. Close behind are the 17s obv and 16s. The 16s is a strange one. Low grade and higher grade coins are not difficult. Years ago I had multiple coins in XF and AU, but I had two customers looking for it in F15/VF20. In a year’s time I found 0…
In true VF, most of the other early dates may be considered semi keys, as most of them have become difficult to locate, other than the high mintage pieces.
The 21s is another anomaly. It is relatively common up through VF, but true XF and AU coins are flat out rare. I guess it could be considered a condition key? But at XF and AU level, there are many other tough coins in the series, expanding beyond the early dates to include the 20d, 23s, and the 27s and 28s.

Eric_Babula

@Walkerguy21D said:
It’s kind of a tricky series, and very dependent on grade. Condition is the real “key”.

I don’t think of the 38D being a key or even a semi key in any grade, as it’s abundant. But it is popular, which props up the price.

In low grade, likewise, none are really keys either, but the low mintage coins of the pre-1923 issues are slightly tougher.

When you get to true Fine and VF, the 21p and d are keys. Close behind are the 17s obv and 16s. The 16s is a strange one. Low grade and higher grade coins are not difficult. Years ago I had multiple coins in XF and AU, but I had two customers looking for it in F15/VF20. In a year’s time I found 0…
In true VF, most of the other early dates may be considered semi keys, as most of them have become difficult to locate, other than the high mintage pieces.
The 21s is another anomaly. It is relatively common up through VF, but true XF and AU coins are flat out rare. I guess it could be considered a condition key? But at XF and AU level, there are many other tough coins in the series, expanding beyond the early dates to include the 20d, 23s, and the 27s and 28s.

Thanks for responding, Greg! Most of what I have is low-grade (some VF Details/Cleaned and lower, mostly G-4ish). So, I'm not looking at big dollars for what I have. Sounds like most of it is pretty available at these grades. I was wondering what I might keep, and what I might get rid of.

The price guides still indicate that the Dates/MM's I listed are semi-keys, even in the low grades. But, what I was looking for is the opinion of someone who really knows the market and what is actually out there and readily available, so I'm really glad you and others chimed in! Thanks!

Any thoughts about the 1945 w/ no designer's initials that I showed? Looks like it's a fairly rare variety, according to the Cherrypicker's Guide.

Eric_Babula

@breakdown said:
There are two different books on Walkers worth acquiring and that have information on the key dates.

The older book is by Fox and there is a more recent one by Jeff Ambio of Stacks Bowers.

Thanks for the info - I'll look into those books!

coinkat

There are other no initial dates within the series. I recall the earliest being the 1918-D. The 18-D no initials is available in lower grades but become a challenge in higher grades. If I recall correctly there are a total of at least 5-6 different dates with no initials… including a Proof issue that I think is either 1941 or 42.

There are other interesting varieties including the 1946 DDR which can be cherry picked. I classify the ‘46 DDR is the most significant DD of the series. Some might suggest the 1936 DDO is more significant but that would be mainly because it is encountered less frequently. Looking for the varieties for this series is fun project and it is not overwhelming or too crowded. I would have thought that the varieties for W?H’s would have a greater following based on popularity… kind of how VAMS evolved with Morgan Dollars and to a lesser extent, peace Dollars.

breakdown

here are the books I referenced:

Walkerguy21D

** Any thoughts about the 1945 w/ no designer's initials that I showed? Looks like it's a fairly rare variety, according to the Cherrypicker's Guide.**

I don’t dabble in the walker die varieties, sorry.
I think your coin would get the designation if submitted, but would likely get a Details XF grade, for what looks to be excessive abrasions on the obverse.

Walkerguy21D

@Eric_Babula said:

@breakdown said:
There are two different books on Walkers worth acquiring and that have information on the key dates.

The older book is by Fox and there is a more recent one by Jeff Ambio of Stacks Bowers.

Thanks for the info - I'll look into those books!

I don’t think the Ambro book would be of much use to you; I recall the main focus being on mint state coins.

As for the LONG out of print Fox book, this sounds like the only page you really need to see. If an online version is available you can check that out:

Note these rarity estimates were based on opinions of dealers and collectors from over 30 years ago, not populations of certified coins.
But you can look at your coin in the grade it’s in and get an idea if it’s worth keeping as a scarce issue.

breakdown

It all depends how far you want to go down the rabbit hole on Walkers. In Fox, there is a page for each issue and when i collected Walkers I consulted the book often. It has interesting tidbits like the rumor of a hoard of mint state 19-S Walkers ( which still have never surfaced). You can get a copy on Amazon or EBay for $100 or so.
Walkerguy21D has been collecting Walkers a long time and has a lot of knowledge. Walkerfan and JBN are two others. If they post something on Walkers, take note.