U.S. Walker Question

namwalker

I'm in the process of putting together a collection of Walker Halves and was confused about a question that my local coin shop owner asked me. He wanted to know if I was putting together a full or half set. Since I am relatively new to collecting I didn't know how to answer so I told him a full set, but did ask about the definition of a half set. He gave me an answer thatl, to tell the truth, I really didn't understand.

So could someone please explain what a half set is? Besides now being a full set what is the advantage of having a partial set? I assume that it would be much easier to put the set together and possibly cheaper. To tell the truth, I am just trying to put together an average set because I am on a budget and I know that some of these coins can be rather pricey.

Thanks...............

DennisH

There are actually 3 sets that are commonly done:

The full set starting at 1916
The intermediate set starting at 1933 (per PCGS, although I've always regarded it as starting at 1934)
The short set starting at 1941

DeliaBug

The nomenclatures goes back to the coin album days. The full set was housed in two albums - 1916-1940 and 1941-1947. Many of the key dates and expensive coins were in the first album and a lot of people only worked on filling the second album. And the short set was born.

pursuitofliberty

"Half set" sounds like an old school comment. I somewhat remember being asked a similar question with that terminology 20 plus years ago. I concentrated on what I consider the half set, or what I came to call the "Final 40". That is, to me, 33 through 47 inclusive regular issues, which is 40 coins.

Dennis nails the three typical sets in his post.


Editted ... also, what DeliaBug says is correct, although I there was a very popular Library of Coins two album set that is 1916-1937 and the second was 1937(d)-1947

Mowgli

Walkerguy21D

DennisH pretty much nailed it.
However, you can also do pretty much do as you please.
Since you are on a budget, the later dates in AU makes a nice attractive set, and for the most part can be had for not much more than bullion if you shop around. The middle dates (starting with the 33S) are readily available XF.....some of these get a little expensive in AU, but not outrageously so, if you want to stick with the AU theme. Then things start to get tricky......but I would recommend patience, and getting the early dates in at least VG10 if you can, as these should display full rims and some 'meat' on them. Matching these with other easier early dates in Fine/Fine+ would make for a respectable collection.
If on the other hand you want to try and do the full set all matching, like VG, be aware that some of the LATER dates can be a little tough to find in grades that low.

namwalker

Thanks for the information. I think that the best solution for me is to buy the best that is affordable. I'd like to end up with a complete set, but I have already given up on that idea with my Lincoln pennies. The S-VDB is just to expensive for my wallet, and since I haven't won the lottery within the past 20 years - oh well.

Slow and steady

edit - I don't think that I will end up with a matching set at all - but hopefully a set.