Walking Liberty halves

coolest

All the Walking Liberty halves from 1947 to 1935 (except the 38-D) sell for about melt in circulated grades. From 1916-1934 all the EF coins (except 16-S, 17-S, 19’s, and 21’s) average around $150.

Does anyone see this as a series with good upside potential, or are there just too many surviving coins?

Meltdown

I'm curious myself. I know a smalltime dealer on the coast who's hoarding them as "waaaaay undervalued" but I'm not convinced.
Anybody have some concrete opinions on these?

coolest

No Walker collectors tonight?

lasvegasteddy

they have a class design and look

they were saved by masses

the proofs many claim pricey but that's where'd i'd park $$$ in and hope to again as i miss my 38 proof

something about stunning examples that only so many can obtain will hold fair and flair

WTCG

Their values will be correlated to the spot price of silver, which will be the biggest deciding factor in their values. There are millions of circulated Walkers available so chances are they won't be scarce anytime soon.

lonelyp

You can build a very nice set and still pay the rent.
And IMO they are one of the best ever US designs. I'm happy if they are under valued, but don't really care if they are still under valued years from now. I don't see them getting tooooo much cheaper in the future. What does?











edited to replace with better pics. Still not as good as some do. but better that I first added

50cents

<< <i>All the Walking Liberty halves from 1947 to 1935 (except the 38-D) sell for about melt in circulated grades. From 1916-1934 all the EF coins (except 16-S, 17-S, 19’s, and 21’s) average around $150. >>



I would love to buy some nice original Walkers in EF from 1916 to 1923 in EF for $150. I could get the 17P and maybe the 18P for $150 and that would be it .



<< <i>Does anyone see this as a series with good upside potential, or are there just too many surviving coins? >>



The early dates have a great upside potential if you can find them in original EF, VF or even Fine.

supertooth

Coolest----- Many folks are fooled by mintage figures. The coins "should" be there because a lot of them were minted. But, in reality, the early [1916--1933] Walkers are simply NOT there. If you think that the XF early dates are available for 150 in true XF condition, then you are sadly mistaken. Even worse, if ANYONE thinks that you can collect original [uncleaned and undipped] early Walkers in XF condition, you had better think again. Oh, you can TRY to collect them----But it will take you years to do it.

The later dated Walkers [1937--1947] are indeed available. You could pick up that grouping in MS63--65 on most days on Ebay. But, you would just be buying plastic. If you want totally original coins, it will simply confound you trying to find them. Finding well struck examples of the "S" minted coins is also a major challenge.

If any kind of set will please you, then those kind of coins are indeed there. But, if you want a matched color set of "original" coins---be it in VF or XF or AU---then be prepared to look for awhile. But, the adventure of being vigilent and the thrill of the hunt----Makes collecting Walkers more of a test than most would think. And the rewards are truely exciting.

As for being undervalued, the "early" Walkers seem to be that way to me. Even in the later years---if the coin is totally unmessed with---then it is a sight to behold. I'd bet that 90% of collectors really simply DO NOT appreciate how few really remain that haven't been dipped at one time or another.

You didn't mention, for example, the 1920D Walker. It is simply the greatest "sleeper" of the entire set. If you do not believe me, check the population reports of both PCGS and NGC. And, I dare you to find an original one in XF condition [both breasts completely full]. If you do, latch on to it with both hands. It is TERRIBLY undervalued----but, then again, most of the early dates are that way. Most that are available are cleaned coins that are terribly hairlined and polished looking. Bob [supertooth]

Connecticoin

<< <i>Coolest----- Many folks are fooled by mintage figures. The coins "should" be there because a lot of them were minted. But, in reality, the early [1916--1933] Walkers are simply NOT there. If you think that the XF early dates are available for 150 in true XF condition, then you are sadly mistaken. Even worse, if ANYONE thinks that you can collect original [uncleaned and undipped] early Walkers in XF condition, you had better think again. Oh, you can TRY to collect them----But it will take you years to do it.

The later dated Walkers [1937--1947] are indeed available. You could pick up that grouping in MS63--65 on most days on Ebay. But, you would just be buying plastic. If you want totally original coins, it will simply confound you trying to find them. Finding well struck examples of the "S" minted coins is also a major challenge.

If any kind of set will please you, then those kind of coins are indeed there. But, if you want a matched color set of "original" coins---be it in VF or XF or AU---then be prepared to look for awhile. But, the adventure of being vigilent and the thrill of the hunt----Makes collecting Walkers more of a test than most would think. And the rewards are truely exciting.

As for being undervalued, the "early" Walkers seem to be that way to me. Even in the later years---if the coin is totally unmessed with---then it is a sight to behold. I'd bet that 90% of collectors really simply DO NOT appreciate how few really remain that haven't been dipped at one time or another.

You didn't mention, for example, the 1920D Walker. It is simply the greatest "sleeper" of the entire set. If you do not believe me, check the population reports of both PCGS and NGC. And, I dare you to find an original one in XF condition [both breasts completely full]. If you do, latch on to it with both hands. It is TERRIBLY undervalued----but, then again, most of the early dates are that way. Most that are available are cleaned coins that are terribly hairlined and polished looking. Bob [supertooth] >>



Agree wholeheartedly with Supertooth's points. In the 1937-47 range, original unmessed with coins can still be had for reasonable prices -- but you have to hunt for them in a sea of dipped out crud (many, many of which are in TPG holders). I am slowing accumulating a "mini-hoard" of original Gems -- I just don't have the heart to part with any duplicates yet!

Connecticoin

mustanggt

The upside may be limited but the downside is almost non existent.

Connecticoin

50cents

oreville

The AU walkers have much more upside than the EF (XF) ones.

I agree that the EF ones have absolutely no downside.

blueifalcon

That eagle is my favorite eagle design and I love the feel of the walker in my hands. You know you're holding a solid coin in your hand because it has a little weight to it. Heck, I might decide to collect these.

AUandAG

The only problem I see with the Walkers is that they were used heavily in commerce and the early
dates show so much wear. Not hard to find later dates in EF but not easy to find the earlier dates
in those grades at a reasonable price. That is why, even tho they have high mintages, that they
are so expensive in those earlier dates - just not prevalent.
I've loved those Walkers as I remember spending them as a kid.
Bob

coinkat

A terrific series and I think the early dates are worth buying in EF-AU. The 1923-s is under appreciated in EF-AU

rjsriv

IMHO--the only way to collect them is as Proofs--too many business strikes lack details

golfer72

"IMHO--the only way to collect them is as Proofs--too many business strikes lack details " I agree completely. Though probably my favorite design, i never really got going on a set since so many are weakly struck. The Proofs really show the coin as it was meant to be.

21Walker

Some that don't come cheeply or go cheeply............Rick

















Enjoy............

50cents

You got some very nice 16 Walkers there 21Walker

What are the grades? Didn't you sent them in not to long ago?

21Walker

What are the grades? Didn't you sent them in not to long ago?

Hey 50cents, I sent in the 16D and 37D and got them back about a month ago. 16D came back PCGS MS64 and the 37 D came back PCGS MS 65. The other 2 will go out in another batch. I am putting the 16D and 37 D on Ebay this weekend.

These are the pix I bought these 2 off of ebay . starting bid $349. I bid $360 and got the lot for $349. Not bad I'd say...............Rick

DenverDave

One of my Favorite Series but extremely hard to find with good color and grade...

On the other hand If you can buy at melt I think your ahead of the game...

Here are my two Personal Favorites...

garsmith

All my Walkers, except my 1921-S, are UNC.


edited to say: correction all my slabbed Walkers, except my 1021-S, are UNC. My other Circs are in Dansco's


edited to say: Wow it's kinda creepy having buzzards circling above me

Geoman

Great thread - and really nice pictures of some Proof Walkers!!

Walkers are my favorite US Coin, and my favorite series to collect. Some may think I am a little crazy, but I have several sets of Walkers and plan on more. My first set of Walkers I completed as a low-grade circulated set pushed into those Blue Whitman folders. I then completed a second set of Walkers all in VG, which is a nice matched set I have in a Dansco. Then I put together the "short set" of Walkers (1941-1947) in PCGS MS64. Now, I am working on the "short set" in old PCGS rattler holders and a PCGS MS65 set. I also started working backwards and going for the 1934-1941 date range in PCGS MS64. Yeah, I am a little overboard, but can't get enough of those Walkers. And I just purchased a 1938-D Walker in PCGS MS64 a few weeks ago that is the highlight of my collection.

No proof Walkers (yet!).

golfer72

Great thread - and really nice pictures of some Proof Walkers!!

Walkers are my favorite US Coin, and my favorite series to collect. Some may think I am a little crazy, but I have several sets of Walkers and plan on more. My first set of Walkers I completed as a low-grade circulated set pushed into those Blue Whitman folders. I then completed a second set of Walkers all in VG, which is a nice matched set I have in a Dansco. Then I put together the "short set" of Walkers (1941-1947) in PCGS MS64. Now, I am working on the "short set" in old PCGS rattler holders and a PCGS MS65 set. I also started working backwards and going for the 1934-1941 date range in PCGS MS64. Yeah, I am a little overboard, but can't get enough of those Walkers. And I just purchased a 1938-D Walker in PCGS MS64 a few weeks ago that is the highlight of my collection.

No proof Walkers (yet!).

Are you getting full strikes?

golfer72

That 1942 Walker is off the charts!!! The other one has a weak strike, though good color.

golfer72

I mean 1941