cherrypicked some Walker varieties in my own set! (attribution results update)

DennisH

I recently saw that PCGS has a new Walking Liberty Halves "Complete Variety" Registry Set, which includes most of the varieties listed in Volume II of the 4th Edition of the Cherrypickers Guide. I finally bought a copy of the book and sat down with my various Walker sets to see if I already own any of them and -- Bingo! -- I found three different ones in PCGS holders, and two other different raw ones.

Cherrypicking yourself is even more fun than cherrypicking a dealer, because the coins are already paid for!

1939-D/D FS-501 (PCGS XF40)


1941-S/S FS-501 (PCGS AU53)


1944-S/S FS-501 (raw AU50)


1944-S Inverted Mintmark FS-511 (PCGS MS65 and PCGS AU55)


1945 Missing Designer's Initials (raw VF25)

erwindoc

Good job! I have found a couple of things in my collection too.

fcloud

Don't you just love when that happens!

About 2 years ago I did the same thing with my Mercury Dimes. The first two I picked up were a 1931-S DDO and a 1941-S/S. That is what started me on my journey to complete the Mercury w/Varieties set.

PQpeace

Just checked all my 41s walkers..64-67's ..no s/s

Thanks for posting this..

coinkat

I don't recall seeing the 1918-D no initials in the Cherry pickers guide. I will look to see it it is part of the variety set- if not, it really should be.

bushmaster8

How the heck do you tell the inverted 44-S? I have stared and stared at the pic but it looks the same to me top and bottom...

DennisH

<< <i>How the heck do you tell the inverted 44-S? I have stared and stared at the pic but it looks the same to me top and bottom... >>

I think the key is to only look at it for an instant, instead of studying it too closely. I have one of the inverted-S 1909 Barber halves, so I'm used to seeing what an inverted S looks like. When I was checking my Walkers it instantly jumped out at me.

Looking closer and over-analyzing things, it appears to me that in the inverted position (as pictured) the bottom loop of the S is a fraction less wide from side-to-side than the top loop is, and the gap/opening in the bottom loop is skinnier than in the top loop.

There are a few dates in the Walker series with no designer's initials; I also have a 1929-S. I very much agree that they should ALL be recognized by somebody!

PQpeace

Dennis..you are the man !!

Are you coming to Ontario ??
Larry

coinkat

Not having the no initials 1918-D is one major oversight- that really needs to be in the set. I am really shocked that it is not there

gcoin

Besides the coins. I am interested in your photo setup there. Can you tell me what your using and setup in details?

DennisH

<< <i>Besides the coins. I am interested in your photo setup there. Can you tell me what your using and setup in details? >>

Nikon D200 DSLR set at ISO 800
Nikon 105mm macro lens set at f5.6 (manual focus, manual aperture setting)
two Nikon PK-15 extension tubes
copy stand that's not really sturdy enough for that much attached mass but it's all I have
two compact fluorescent bulbs (daylight rated)
remote cable shutter release
mirror lockup setting on camera

coinkat

You are right about the 1929-s Dennis- That needs to be included as well

DennisH

Attribution results update 12/28/09:

The 1939-D is the first and only one PCGS has attributed; pop 1/0.
The 1941-S is the third example they have attributed; pop 1/2.
The 1944-S inverted mintmarks are the second and third examples they have attributed; the AU55 is pop 1/2 and the MS65 is pop 1/0.
The 1945-P and the '44-S/S are still being graded.

fcloud

Congrats. You sure get a good feeling when your grades come in with these when so few are graded, and I know how good that is.

Manorcourtman

Very nice. I'd like to see a better pic of the 41 S/S if you have one.. I have one but am not sure it's the correct one for PCGS attribution. There are a couple 41 S/S's out there. Thanks!

DennisH

<< <i>Very nice. I'd like to see a better pic of the 41 S/S if you have one.. I have one but am not sure it's the correct one for PCGS attribution. There are a couple 41 S/S's out there. Thanks! >>

I'll try when I get the coins back, but the one posted above was actually the best of several shots taken from different angles; for some reason it's a tough one to capture.

DennisH

Here are some pixs of a raw and probably cleaned or dipped or washed VF25 1941-S/S (FS-501) that I'd forgotten I have. All four pictures are of the same coin, but I turned it 90 degrees after each shot. It's amazing with simply moving the coin does to the lighting.

bushmaster8

The CPG calls that 41-S an S/S NW. Is that an error in the CPG? Is it not actually an S/S SW?

DennisH

<< <i>The CPG calls that 41-S an S/S NW. Is that an error in the CPG? Is it not actually an S/S SW? >>

I've never been clear on whether all authors use the terms "primary" and "secondary" the same way, and I think this may be an example. The first MM punched in the '41-S FS-501 pictured in the CPG is clearly S.W. of the second and bolder, complete MM. Does that make the first punch the "primary" one because it went first? I would think the second and bolder, complete MM would be called "primary" because it is fully formed and doing the job of a MM. Personally, I think the CPG description is a proofreading error and you caught them. Good job!