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1936 Proof Walker- why is the price triple that of the '36 quarter?

lclugzalclugza Posts: 568 ✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
The "Guide Book" lists the half dollar's price in Proof-65 as about triple that of the quarter in the same grade, even though the quarter had a slightly smaller mintage. Why the difference? Is it because the half dollar design is more popular, or because the half's larger size may have made it more susceptible to damage, or some other reason? Does anyone here have a Proof 1936 half or quarter?
image"Darkside" gold

Comments

  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,340 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The 1936 Walking Liberty half dollar is FAR more popular than the quarter despite the fact that the quarter has the lowest mintage in the 1936 set.

    First, the half dollar is the largest coin in the set

    Second the design is far more popular than the Washington quarter has ever been. Until the state quarter series came along, Washington quarters had a very limited following. Many collectors just don't find them to be that attractive.

    My dislike of the design intensified when I learned how Mrs. Laura Frazer was cheated out of her chance to provide a design for the quarter. It is one of serveral reasons why collectors who know some history have very little respect for Herbert Hoover's treasury secretary, Andrew Mellon. Mellon vetoed Mrs. Frazer's design, and he also opposed the coinage of commemorative coins.
    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • michaelmichael Posts: 9,524 ✭✭
    great thread!!!!!!!!! three things as to why the half is more valuable than the quarter

    demand
    demand
    demand


    sincerely michael
  • VeepVeep Posts: 1,437 ✭✭✭✭
    Michael is correct. Its all about demand.

    However, having once put together a complete set of PF66 1936-42 proofs (cents thru halves) I can tell you that nice 1936 quarters are much scarcer.
    "Let me tell ya Bud, you can buy junk anytime!"
  • krankykranky Posts: 8,709 ✭✭✭
    I think it's similar to the Buffalo proofs. Look at the prices of proof Liberty nickels compared to Buffalo nickels. The Buffalos are way higher because of demand, even though the mintages don't support it.

    Also, there are only a few years where Walker proofs were made, and that pushes up the whole group I think.

    New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.

  • lclugzalclugza Posts: 568 ✭✭
    The Buffalo proofs cost more than the Liberties because the Buffs were only made in Proof 6 years vs. 31 for the Libs.
    image"Darkside" gold
  • krankykranky Posts: 8,709 ✭✭✭
    That's what I meant - a high demand with only a few different years available.

    New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.

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