Does anyone possess a nice 1923-S Walker?

ElmerFusterpuck

Like a nice appealing uncleaned VF-20 thru AU-58, with pics? This is one date I can never find anywhere, just want to see if they actually exist or are just like UFO's - sighted but never photographed clearly. Thanks!

jsf

hth










ed. - added 3 more

Hotfootspin

Rarely see them anywhere. I have two in XF that I bought years ago. Sent one to
NGC and it came back cleaned, the other to PCGS and it came back cleaned. Recently
I found a PCGS VF20 on Ebay. Rarely see them nicer than VF, never see them at shows
at all, never see any nicer than VG or F on Ebay.

It's a special year for me, so I look for them everywhere.

Mark

TomB

One of the WLH gurus has also told me that this date is a bugger to find in AU.

melvin289

I need four coins to finish my Walker set and the 23-S is one of them. Have looked for one but they all seem to have been cleaned at one time or the other.

Ron

LindeDad

My PCGS XF40 that escaped the cleaners.

jsf

paranoia strikes deep


I don't even want to talk about the Walkers I'm looking for, somebody might be listening!

ElmerFusterpuck

Nice examples posted so far, I'd take either one for the collection. The 27-S has been a bugger too, and I've missed 2 really nice examples the past year (VF-35 and XF-40) because I wasn't quick enough on the draw. In all the years I've been to shows, I've never seen a higher grade 23-S that wasn't cleaned or lifeless looking. For some reason, it seems easier to find nice circulated 21's (all mints) than the lonely nice 23-S.

Walkerguy21D

I acquired this one at Winter FUN and sold it to a forum member, who submitted and was distraught that PCGS graded it AU55 - it is a true AU58. It is significantly nicer than the PCGS AU55 in my reg set. These are the pics when it was still raw (in a CoinWorld type of holder). The luster is much better in hand.

Walkerguy21D

Yes, this date is definitely tough.....my PCGS AU55 came via Steve Musil....I was at his table some years ago, shopping walkers, and he said he had a 23S in a PCGS AU55 - where, I asked? He bought it from another dealer but didn't have it yet. I left a deposit on it, sight unseen and unpriced, and acquired it the next day.
BTW - the 20D is even harder than the 23S in true AU. I see more 21P and D coins in AU than 20D's - of course part of this may be the publicity/popularity of the 1921 coins.

guitarwes

Here's mine in 20.....

Broadstruck

<< <i>I acquired this one at Winter FUN and sold it to a forum member, who submitted and was distraught that PCGS graded it AU55 - it is a true AU58. It is significantly nicer than the PCGS AU55 in my reg set. These are the pics when it was still raw (in a CoinWorld type of holder). The luster is much better in hand.



>>



About a 2 years ago I was offered first shot at a PCGS AU58 23-S from a friend who broke up his WLH registry. I shared the images with MFH as the central features where weakly struck and the ask was roughly just under $2400.00. I passed on that particular AU58, but would have jumped on your PCGS AU55 Walkerguy21D as it's a far nicer example then I've seen since.

I rate the 23-S on par with the 20-D, followed by the 18-D and 27-S which are all tough to locate in the higher regions of AU, yet far more available in MS63-65 which is out of reach for the average collector budget.

Walkerguy21D

I sold that one for well < $2k, Broadstruck. I believe the owner intends on resubmitting to get it into a 58 holder.

IMO, the availability of true AU walkers decending by date goes something like this, not based on pop reports, but years of hunting and studying the series. Others' opinions may vary, of course:

21S, 20D, 23S, 21D, 19D, 21P, 19S, 28S (very tough coin to find well struck!), 17S Obv, 27S (I see a LOT more MS coins than AU coins - supposedly several orginal rolls surfaced of this date ~15 yrs ago or so), 19P, 18D

Hopefully Supertooth will chime in to this thread shortly, and then you will get some real expert opinions!

RebelRon

<< <i>Like a nice appealing uncleaned VF-20 thru AU-58, with pics? This is one date I can never find anywhere, just want to see if they actually exist or are just like UFO's - sighted but never photographed clearly. Thanks! >>

Amen to that! I've been wantin an XF or better for a long time! Man...They ain't cheep!

coinkat

Mine is raw- but decent for the date- took many years to find which means it was all luck

I am still kicking myself for not buying a 1919-D several years ago- I think that may go down as being one of my biggest blunders

BAJJERFAN

breakdown

It is an underrated date -- I have had tough time finding one I like for my set. I like some of the examples posted here.

coindeuce

<< <i>I acquired this one at Winter FUN and sold it to a forum member, who submitted and was distraught that PCGS graded it AU55 - it is a true AU58. It is significantly nicer than the PCGS AU55 in my reg set. These are the pics when it was still raw (in a CoinWorld type of holder). The luster is much better in hand.



>>



IIRC, the current owner of this coin was bammed for comments made here regarding the "downgrade".

supertooth

Hello Folks---- Would be hard pressed to disagree with my friend Greg's [ Walkerguy21D] comments. Years ago, I made a list of my top 8 "early" Walkers. Greg has all 8 in his top 12. Would just add two more at the end of his top 12----those being the 17D Rev and the 16S coin in AU condition. Thereby giving us a top 14 list IMHO

But, funny stories exist for each and every serious Walker collector. I myself had been hunting for years to find an original skinned 17S Reverse coin. Should have been an easier find than many of the early dated coins. Just recently I finally found one that fit my set.

Have known several folks who had trouble with the 17S Obv coin. Many times it is a matter of luck which coins you run into first---or last. Important thing is to try and "NOT" miss any of these top 14 coins when you run into them.

As Greg knows, I have been a believer for many years that the 20D coin----in XF and above conditions---is the "TRUE SLEEPER" coin from among the "early" Walkers. I'm glad that he places it right next to the 21S coin---because that is EXACTLY where it belongs.

The 23S coin is indeed right up there in difficulty as well. I have sold two of them in PCGS holders in AU coindition over the recent years. They sell well and are well received by the buyers at premium prices. In true original skin, it is a true tough coin to find. Good hunting to all of you. Bob [supertooth]

jsf

SO right about the tough '20-D. Thankfully, I recently stumbled upon this upgrade from Mr. Greer:



I'm about "semi-keyed" to death by working on these early Walkers. It's like dealing with all the keys in this group isn't bad enough!

supertooth

I'd like to add the 20S coin to our list of 14----Thus making our list of top "early" Walkers now total 15

Once bought what I thought was a totally original 1920D coin on Ebay. Graded the coin an XF45 and it was very crusty. Just the way that I like them at that grade level. Received the coin only to discover that the coin was a 20S piece. TOTAL---and I mean TOTAL disappointment to see the "S" and not the "D" mintmark.

But, I still loved the coin----contacted the seller---we came to an agreement on price----and I kept that 20S coin. It did grade out as an XF45 and I'm glad to have it till this day. It belongs in that tougher to get grouping of coins. Bob [supertooth]

Mowgli

I must be the luckiest guy on the Walker planet.
In July I decided to upgrade my Walkers. Everything before 1934 to AU (except the 21s which I just cannot justify) and everything from 1934 on in MS (only four coins).
Today my coin shows only dealer sends me the following all raw:
1916 - one AU 53 and one MS 63
1916S - AU 58
1917S - Rev AU 58
1918D - one AU 55 one AU 53
1918S - one AU 53 one MS 62
1920D - AU 53
1920S - AU 55
1923S - AU 55
1928S - AU 55
1929D - AU 55
1929S - AU 58
1937D - MS 63
1938D - MS 64
1939 - MS 63 (I have an MS coin but it has been messed with)
As they are not slabbed I'll assume others will have different opinions to grades but my current set is all raw as well - I started collecting before I knew how important slabbing was to Internet buyers. I consider myself very lucky as I know some of these were hard for me to find when I first did my Dansco 15+ years ago.

guitarwes

Holy Crud! Alright Mowgli, cough up pics of those ASAP!!!

Nice list!

Walkerguy21D

<< <i>I must be the luckiest guy on the Walker planet. >>


I should say so - must have been a heck of a set he just acquired.
You could not assemble that grouping even at a show like Winter FUN.

RebelRon

<< <i>I must be the luckiest guy on the Walker planet.
In July I decided to upgrade my Walkers. Everything before 1934 to AU (except the 21s which I just cannot justify) and everything from 1934 on in MS (only four coins).
Today my coin shows only dealer sends me the following all raw:
1916 - one AU 53 and one MS 63
1916S - AU 58
1917S - Rev AU 58
1918D - one AU 55 one AU 53
1918S - one AU 53 one MS 62
1920D - AU 53
1920S - AU 55
1923S - AU 55
1928S - AU 55
1929D - AU 55
1929S - AU 58
1937D - MS 63
1938D - MS 64
1939 - MS 63 (I have an MS coin but it has been messed with)
As they are not slabbed I'll assume others will have different opinions to grades but my current set is all raw as well - I started collecting before I knew how important slabbing was to Internet buyers. I consider myself very lucky as I know some of these were hard for me to find when I first did my Dansco 15+ years ago. >>

One Lucky fella! Envy! Envy! Envy!

segoja

Just sold a nice 23-s in PCGS MS63 at ANA in Boston

fc

<< <i>Here's mine in 20.....

>>



this one i like a lot. just reminds me of unmessed with silver.

Walkerfan

I know that this is an older thread but I had to reply to it, since the 1923-S is one of my absolute FAVORITE issues. They are INDEED VERY TOUGH! I was REALLY LUCKY when I aquired my PQ MS 64 about a year and a half ago. I paid a big premium for it but I don't regret it in the least. I also like the 20-D and I was a bit lucky when I came onto the one, too, that I currently have, although I had searched about 5 years for one that I really liked. WOW Greg!! I REALLY like that AU that you sold!! Super!! You shoulda kept that baby for yourself!! lol

kaz

What a great thread! My humble contribution:

Walkerfan

Since the 23-S was the only half struck from 1921-1927, it was a real 'work horse' issue and went directly into circulation. They simply weren't saved. Also, even though the issue was 're-vamped' by giving miss liberty deeper & bolder gown lines-It was still struck weakly. Incompleteness is STILL evident mostly in the thumb and the gown lines, too, are often incomplete. Finding one with a fuller head is also VERY challenging. Factor all of that into their very low pop numbers and we are talking some REAL SCARCITY here at the choice XF through MS levels.

Walkerfan

Very nice example kaz!!

BAJJERFAN

<< <i>

<< <i>Like a nice appealing uncleaned VF-20 thru AU-58, with pics? This is one date I can never find anywhere, just want to see if they actually exist or are just like UFO's - sighted but never photographed clearly. Thanks! >>

Amen to that! I've been wantin an XF or better for a long time! Man...They ain't cheep! >>



This ended on eBay 2 days ago at $1050.

Walkerguy21D

Good thread to resurface!
I think that Bruce Fox's book illuminated that date for a lot of folks.
I recall around 20+ years ago hunting for that date (and others) at shows, and coming across cleaned XF's advertised as AU
on a regular basis. The demand for faux AU's may be why so few original XF's are available. But even those have disappeared from today's bourses (although it wouldn't surprise if they are on eBay, and still advertised as AU).

breakdown

I see I posted that I was having a tough time finding a 23-S in this thread back in 2010. I had an MS64 that I had crossed from NGC but the more I looked at it, the more I did not like it. So I sold it when I was offered one I liked better:

EagleEye

I had this one a few weeks ago. Sold for $900

DennisH

I have a PCGS VF25 that I bought early in my Walker collecting days that I wouldn't go near now; it's been dipped. Yuck.

Walkerfan

Here's mine! Luster is awesome in hand and the luster is also every bit as good (if not better) than my 38-D MS 65!

BAJJERFAN

Threads like this are one reason that I wish the message/chat boards had their own bookmark/favorite places feature.

ElmerFusterpuck

Walkerfan, I bow down to your 23-S! Wow, what a strike! What grade is that?

breakdown

<< <i>Walkerfan, I bow down to your 23-S! Wow, what a strike! What grade is that?

>>



Amen. Based on the image, that looks like a lot of coin for an MS64.

Walkerfan

Thanks alot guys. I really appreciate those positive words.

I knew it was a special coin---it was put away for a long time and it had escaped the ravenous dealers, flippers and crack-out artists who only care about one thing.

Someday, I hope to get it in a higher numerical holder but I'll ALWAYS ENJOY it NONETHELESS in any event.

Walkerfan

I was VERY fortunate for the brief moment in time that I had to aquire it and I seized the opportunity

cmanbb

Saw this old post from a search I did, and thought I would add
this AU58 & AU55 Examples that ElmerFusterpuck was asking about..........

Walkerguy21D

Good thread to revive - plenty of commentary from some top shelf walker guys in here

BAJJERFAN

1920-D in PCGS 25



1920-S in PCGS vf30



1923-S in PCGS vf25 not as nice looking as some of the other circulated Walkers in similar grade.

ElmerFusterpuck

My old thread back, woohoo! I did finally get one too, a PCGS 1923-S VF-30: