Last piece of the 1930s 'S' Walker puzzle.
Walkerfan
Posts: 9,748 ✭✭✭✭✭
Finished my Walker middle date set.
Just before the end of 2016; I had finished my Walker short set (1941-1947), which was not a very easy task, but it was the least difficult of the three segments (Early Walkers-1916-1933, Middle Walkers-1934-1940 and Short Set Walkers-1941-1947) that the Walker series is broken up into. Now, I have finished the next tier up---my Middle date Walker set, which I believe does not get nearly enough credit. The S minted coins of 1934-1940 are all VERY challenging to find nice and are only getting MUCH more difficult to locate and are a good investment, imho. Prices have really come down a lot, since 2005-2008, but despite that, the coins themselves are still relatively pricey and are only getting much more scarce, imho. Much more so, than they were 10 years ago, and much more so than current price levels would indicate. People truly underestimate the difficulty and availability, of the middle date Walkers, and they shouldn't, as they are VERY challenging and rare and tough to find well produced with original skin. Finding one with both is truly rare.
The very last coin that I needed for the Middle Date set was somewhat of an irony----It was the 1936-S. I used to correspond with a veteran, fellow Walker collector who liked all original coins and he searched for many years before finding a nice 1936-S coin for his Walker set, which was the last coin that he needed for the 65 coin full Walker set, as he demanded only original pieces. It turned out to be the last coin that I was searching for to complete my middles dates, as well, which I found peculiar, hence the irony here. So, when I saw this original, sharply impressed 1936-S coin with full thumb and stem lines on the obverse, full eagle's feathers on the reverse & CAC-stickered.....I just had to have it to complete my middle dates! Also, I thought of my old friend....
The only issue that I see is the left-leg (center) skirtlines of Miss Liberty, on the obverse, are not fully struck up and it has some chatter, up the center of that leg, but everything else about the coin is just lovely and the surfaces are very smooth and all original. Although the toning is not richly colorful; I would still call it rather attractive. It is an original, mostly white, lightly speckle toned and not 'mottled' toned coin, of which I feel the latter is a negative connotation. That discoloration on the breast is likely not rub, either---I'm guessing it is as produced and a lightly toned anomaly. The luster is great, too. This coin fits my eclectic set very well, as it is unique and well-produced, which is kind of the theme of my set. I have learned that I had better pick up original Walkers, when I can, and I have also grown to appreciate their distinctive beauty and scarcity.
Sir John Albanese likes this coin, too, as it is green stickered. lol This is an instance where I feel that CAC is really useful to me. It reassures me that the coin is likely original and has no rub (which I will be able to tell, when I scope it with the loupe), as there are likely no luster breaks or friction areas given the images, the location of the toned area and the condition of the rest of the coin. This is also my 16th CAC stickered coin. However, that is just a statistical, yet irrelevant, fact, as my set was started before CAC's inception, so most of my coins have never even been seen by CAC.
Now, I am also 95.38% complete with my entire mint state Walker Full set (1916-1947) and, of course, 100% done with my short and middle date Walker sets, now, even though I can't add some of them to either of my Registry Sets, anymore, as I have a combination of both PCGS and NGC coins. ☹ I have chosen all gems and premium gems for my 19 coin middle date set. Of the six 'S minted' coins, which are the rarest and most expensive, half (3 coins) are MS 66 premium gems and the rest (3 coins) are MS 65 gems. The Philly coins are all MS 66 premium gems, except for one that is a MS 65 gem (the 1935-P, in an OGH), that I feel would surely grade MS 66, today, if resubmitted, but I am leaving it be, as I like the OGH and the price difference is not worth it to me. The Denver coins are all MS 65 gems with just one MS 66 premium gem (the 1939-D, in an old NGC fatty)---also under graded, imho.
Just three early Walkers to go and I'll fulfill a lifelong ambition. This has been a nearly 12 year journey, in the making, for me. Nearly nine years, of which, I have been actively building this set. I laughed, when I was told from the onset, that it takes about a decade to build a quality full MS Walker set. Well, I'm certainly not laughing, anymore, as I'm finding this to be painstakingly TRUE! I think that you really have to love this series to dedicate this much patience, time and effort to it, which I do. When I am finally done; I am going to just sit back and RELAX and enjoy. WHEW! What a ride it has been up to this point!
Cheers to all!!
WF
Any and all thoughts or comments are always welcome. 
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
Comments
I agree that a CAC endorsement does not mean that the piece is original but CAC definitely has a predisposition toward coins that are original. I, personally, feel that the coin is original based on what I see with a very light (albeit unspectacular) sprinkling of original toning.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
Looks like a nice coin to me. Nice find and congrats on finishing the middle set.
A nice milestone of your collection. I can see your passion with this set in your writing. Congrats!
Standing by for your grand finale!!
You do need to cross those non PCGS coins so you can put them all in the Registry...so we can see the whole set!
Really nice 36-S Walker you found. I don't really like the contact on her face, however the hand detail is great and for me overshadows pretty much everything else even the blotty brown toning. Great find, congrats!
Is it the rule for Middle date Walker's from the SF mint to have flat central details (like the Late date S mint coins)?
If so then this coin is outstanding the the strike dept.
Still vividly remember having a wonderful transaction with you to fill your 1934 S slot
I hope it sits well in your collection!
Outstanding strike and choice original example, and a fantastic write up!
Kind of makes me wish I had stayed more focused and disciplined on my own Walker set, rather that diverging into Type and Large cents.
Guessing the discoloration on the bust that you mentioned is from long term contact with an envelope it was stored in?
.
Wonderful fields. Just a little mark on Liberty’s right arm. Top notch branch hand detail.
Agree on the comment regarding the coloration on the breast – it matches coloration on neck and head. Reasonable to assume it is contact related (perhaps envelope as suggested by Walkerguy21D).
Lots of feather detail on eagle’s left leg. Reverse is excellent.
Luster appears abundant.
Congratulations on completing the run. I look forward to perusing your collection on the registry at some point.
For me, the toughie has been the 34-D. Just have not found one that really speaks to me.
Mostly, yes. The 1936-S is a bear to find with a sharp strike, especially, in the thumb and branch stem area of the central obverse. That is one of the things that I really like about this coin.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
Hardy congrats on finishing the long-short set!! Well done
mark
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Thanks for the information. I really like the coin!
Superb Walker, especially of this year/mm.
Congrats! Thank you for sharing.
That 34 S was also a "bear" to find with a strong central strike!
Congrats, it's always nice to see a set completed after a long search.
Congratulations on a major accomplishment.... and an even bigger one to come. Walkers are fantastic coins and one of the United States classic examples of coin art. Cheers, RickO
I have a comment.
What does your '40s look like?
Nice '36s BTW.
Hey gang--I got the 1936-S in my hand, today, and I love it. The coin looks almost white at first glance with the naked eye and there is a very original greyish patination covering the surface. It's got that pearly original look to it. Under closer inspection with the loupe, you can see the speckles of russet toning. The darker areas, on the breast and head, are contact toning and not rub likely due to a paper envelope, as Walkerguy21D and I had suspected. Luster is abundant, too, as JBN noted. There are HUGE luster bands in the fields. There is no doubt in my mind that this coin is 100% original. The center skirt lines are, unfortunately, incomplete. I had hoped that they'd be fuller, in hand, but the sharpness of the thumb and stem lines more than makes up for it, imho. I admire the originality, as well. Just try to find a fully original 1936-S. I challenge you.....
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
Walkerfan, Congrats, well done! beautiful coin!.
Glad to hear you are happy with it in hand.... that is the final test... Cheers, RickO
Congrats
Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb, Ricko
Bad transactions with : nobody to date