1917-S Reverse mintmark Walker - underrated?
ElmerFusterpuck
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Trying to complete my circulated set of early Walking Liberty halves and I am having a heck of a time finding a decent circulated 1917-S reverse Walker, raw or slabbed. It's plentiful in AG to VG, just can't seem to find nice examples in XF or a high VF. If you look at the pricing, it seems like it should be easier to find than a 1917! What gives?
As for the 17-S obverse mintmark in VF-XF, I do see them off and on and am waiting for the right one to pull the trigger on. The 17-S pieces are the last holes in my early set.
10-4,
Erik
My registry sets
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It's a pretty high mintage issue so I'm sure you will find one sooner or later. Interesting and fortunate that you have a relatively inexpensive date and mint as one of your last holes to fill.
I've bought 2 raw UNC 17-s reverse walkers, so I'm inclined to believe it is available.
That's surprising - I recall it being relatively plentiful on the bourse years ago, up to and including AU coins.
Finding a 'NICE' one is the key word. I have noticed that, in grades VF through MS, poor quality examples are more plentiful but nice examples are rather scarce.
I made a big mistake, when I hesitated on a nice near gem from an old registry set that came on the market about 4 or 5 years ago. After a couple more years of searching; I finally found a decent one but I really paid up for it and have seen little to nothing of decent quality, since then.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
I've always been told that all of those early date branch mints are scarcer than people think they are (in those grades). The may be hoarder targets as well.
I hear you; in those grades finding a quality example is going to require patience and persistence.
It's probably a matter of chance. Once you chance upon a coin you need and like, you ASSUME they are easy to find, and the ones you just haven't stumbled upon yet seem like the proverbial unicorn.
I'm having a heck of a time with 1916 and 1927-S, and for the longest time with 1928-S. Just because I haven't found them doesn't mean they are tougher than the 1919's, or 1923-S....It only seems that way to me.
I've kind of resigned myself to just keeping an eye out, and not fretting over it. I have 6 coins to go to finish the Walker set, (a couple of them are easy, I just haven't pulled the trigger), but it doesn't have to happen tomorrow....
Interesting thread.
I did a little more research. On eBay, there are hundreds of 17S Rev walkers listed, but virtually none in the upper circ grades.
Then I pulled out my Bruce Fox walker bible, thinking maybe I 'remembered incorrectly', but he lists it as an R2 in F/VF and XF/AU, stating AU's are common and circulated examples are plentiful. His 'consensus' rarity rating has it listed fairly far down the list.
I never shopped for one for stock or for a customer want list, having the proven rarities on my priority list.
But I have a feeling now that most of these have disappeared from the market, so perhaps they have been hoarded.
They are not worth getting graded in XF, thus the reason there are none for sale.
My recommendation is to go to large coin shows.... It is almost certain you could find what you want... plus, it is a lot of fun and a good place to make contacts. Cheers, RickO
When I was assembling my Walker set, I found that it wasn't finding the grade I wanted that was tough--it was finding the grade I wanted combined with a coin that wasn't scrubbed or dipped to death.
I would not consider those examples for my set, nor would I consider rim dings, scratches, etc. I was VERY picky.
I think 75% of the surviving 1916/1917 PDS mintage has been scrubbed to death....maybe just seems that way when you're looking.
I don't recall the 17-S Rev being any harder than any of the other dates.