I prefer some of the non - "Short Set" date Walkers - a brief, non-scientific analysis
coinguy1
Posts: 13,484 ✭✭✭
The "Short Set" of Walking Liberty Half Dollars, comprised of the 20 issues produced from 1941-1947, is one the most popular sets in all of numismatics. And, why shouldn't it be? The coins are beautiful, there are no real "stoppers" to preclude someone from completing a set and the set is affordable, at least compared to many others.
Currently, CCDN (Certified Coin Dealer Newsletter) bid for the set in MS65 condition is $4534 and, in MS66 grade, it totals $13,300. An MS67 set would present some serious problems, as five of the 20 issues currently have PCGS MS67 populations of fewer than 5 pieces. Never mind that the cost would be well in excess of $60,000, even if the coins could be located.
BUT.....due, in large part, to the attention and popularity of the short set dates, I believe that there are some excellent relative values among the somewhat ignored, non - "Short Set", earlier issues.
For purposes of this brief, completely non - scientific, unprofessional study, I am merely looking at the two lowest priced, pre 1941 issues, the 1939 and 1940 and comparing their PCGS populations and prices to a few of the least expensive "Short Set" issues, the 1941, 1942, 1943 and 1946-D:
Non - "Short Set" dates
1939 MS65 population of 1311 and CCDN bid of $95
1939 MS66 population of 733 and CCDN bid of $177
1940 MS65 population of 1388 and CCDN bid of $80
1940 MS66 population of 614 and CCDN bid of $140
"Short Set" Dates
1941 MS65 population of 3651 and CCDN bid of $98
1941 MS66 population of 1741 and CCDN bid of $160
1942 MS65 population of 4455 and CCDN bid of $98
1942 MS66 population of 1459 and CCDN bid of 180
1943 MS65 population of 5143 and CCDN bid of $82
1943 MS66 population of 1699 and CCDN bid of $187
1946-D MS65 population of 6630 and CCDN bid of 75
1946-D MS66 population of 824 and CCDN bid of $180
A few brief conclusions from the above populations and prices:
Look at the MS65 1939 compared to the MS65 1941 - the 1939 is 2.78 times scarcer, yet sells for slightly less! Compare the MS65 1939 to the MS65 1942 and it's even more dramatic. The MS66 1940 is 2.76 times scarcer than the MS66 1943, but lists for just 74% of the price! I think the numbers and prices for most of the others will speak for themselves.
Now, for some disclaimers..
1) As already noted, this was not a scientific study.
2) I am not saying that the "Short Set" dates are bad deals, merely that, based upon their populations and prices, some of the earlier issues appear to be better relative values.
3) The "demand" factor is a huge one, and, sometimes it simply doesn't matter if one coin or coin type is rarer than another. If the demand isn't there, it might not matter.
4) We sell a lot of MS Walking Liberty Half Dollars to clients - many prefer the "Short Set" issues, while a number prefer earlier dates.
Any and all comments are welcomed.
Currently, CCDN (Certified Coin Dealer Newsletter) bid for the set in MS65 condition is $4534 and, in MS66 grade, it totals $13,300. An MS67 set would present some serious problems, as five of the 20 issues currently have PCGS MS67 populations of fewer than 5 pieces. Never mind that the cost would be well in excess of $60,000, even if the coins could be located.
BUT.....due, in large part, to the attention and popularity of the short set dates, I believe that there are some excellent relative values among the somewhat ignored, non - "Short Set", earlier issues.
For purposes of this brief, completely non - scientific, unprofessional study, I am merely looking at the two lowest priced, pre 1941 issues, the 1939 and 1940 and comparing their PCGS populations and prices to a few of the least expensive "Short Set" issues, the 1941, 1942, 1943 and 1946-D:
Non - "Short Set" dates
1939 MS65 population of 1311 and CCDN bid of $95
1939 MS66 population of 733 and CCDN bid of $177
1940 MS65 population of 1388 and CCDN bid of $80
1940 MS66 population of 614 and CCDN bid of $140
"Short Set" Dates
1941 MS65 population of 3651 and CCDN bid of $98
1941 MS66 population of 1741 and CCDN bid of $160
1942 MS65 population of 4455 and CCDN bid of $98
1942 MS66 population of 1459 and CCDN bid of 180
1943 MS65 population of 5143 and CCDN bid of $82
1943 MS66 population of 1699 and CCDN bid of $187
1946-D MS65 population of 6630 and CCDN bid of 75
1946-D MS66 population of 824 and CCDN bid of $180
A few brief conclusions from the above populations and prices:
Look at the MS65 1939 compared to the MS65 1941 - the 1939 is 2.78 times scarcer, yet sells for slightly less! Compare the MS65 1939 to the MS65 1942 and it's even more dramatic. The MS66 1940 is 2.76 times scarcer than the MS66 1943, but lists for just 74% of the price! I think the numbers and prices for most of the others will speak for themselves.
Now, for some disclaimers..
1) As already noted, this was not a scientific study.
2) I am not saying that the "Short Set" dates are bad deals, merely that, based upon their populations and prices, some of the earlier issues appear to be better relative values.
3) The "demand" factor is a huge one, and, sometimes it simply doesn't matter if one coin or coin type is rarer than another. If the demand isn't there, it might not matter.
4) We sell a lot of MS Walking Liberty Half Dollars to clients - many prefer the "Short Set" issues, while a number prefer earlier dates.
Any and all comments are welcomed.
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The Walker set 1941 - 1947
The Mercury set !934 - 1945
Both set have coins that are not that easy to find and are still have the fun of hunting and finding the coins