My Long Beach musings
Walkerfan
Posts: 10,403 ✭✭✭✭✭
In an effort to keep the boards lively; I am posting my random thoughts regarding last night's Walker offerings.
1919 S PCGS 64 +
Sold for $10800. This coin has the best strike that I've EVER seen on a 19 S. I seriously considered throwing my hat into the ring but the toning really turned me off, Looks like an improper rinse.
1920 NGC MS 66 with Pittman pedigree.
Coin appears to be original....surfaces are good. Strike is not 100% complete. Sold for $8700.
I like the coin's pedigree and toning but I am a strike junkie, so that would hold me back. Looks like small carbon speck on the reverse, as well. Maybe that is an original toning spot, which would make it more acceptable, in my eyes. Although, I don’t feel that this coin is original as the luster is simply not there.
Prices that I quote include juice.
What say you, my friends?? 
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
Comments
I would take the second one all day, everyday.
The surfaces of the 1920 appear odd. It almost looks like it was struck from lightly rusted dies. Is this normal for this date? I'm no expert on early Walking Liberty half Dollars.
No, my guess is a light ancient dip and then retoning.
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 need to see the images on my monitor, but my feeling is i’d rather have the 19S for 2k more..... that 20P shown looks to be slightly nicer than my $500 older holdered 63.
Of course it doesn’t include a famous pedigree, FWIW.
Did either coin have a CAC sticker?
No. Neither coin had one.
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'm not a fan of either, and I would pass on both.
1) This should be sent back to PCGS to conserve it and remove the old dip residue before it damages the coin.
2) The surfaces look weird as the other poster noted, but it could be the photo. I do not care for the toning or all of the chatter, and it looks over graded to me. The strike doesn't bother me as much as it does you.
Awesome strike on that 19-S. I didn't much care for the toning and bid 4K. I see from Walkerfan's post that I got smoked badly. IA bath would do wonders for this coin IMHO. I would not have went 66 Money for the 20-P.
Tarnish/residue on both spoil them for me....Though the 19S has a great strike/detail.....Cheers, RickO
Good post.
I actually like the 19-S, particularly the obverse -- the toning is common on early Walkers and the rinse supposition is a guess, methinks. The reverse is a bit worse because of eye appeal.
The 20 looks like it was cleaned at one point (presumably not by Pittman). Buying Walkers from famous collections where the collector was not focused on Walkers can be iffy. See Newman and Eliasberg as other examples. I assume the same is true for SLQ's, Buffalo nickels, etc.
"Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.
Not a fan of either based on the HA cartoon pics.
I like that 19S, seeing the larger photos today - although, and I hesitate to say this, it could really use some conservation.
The 20P is Ok, if someone really needs a top pop pedigreed coin and is willing to pay full boat for it.
Speaking of cartoon pics, here's my attempt to show my MS 63 20P (hoping Jeff doesn't mind).
I don't see >$8k difference, but the aficionados may. Certainly the mint bloom is nicer on the 66.
Here's mine:
It's a 64 and it has the finest strike that I've ever seen for this issue in any grade. Fields are very smooth, as well. I think that the only thing that keeps it from 65 or 66 are the marks on the sun. It is CAC stickered and I love it! The previous owner had searched for 25 years for one with this kind of strike, supposedly, and I believe it. The toning looks far nicer in hand.
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'd take THAT one over the 66 anytime!
Though I can't imagine searching 25 years to locate a (very) well struck 20P.....he must still be searching for a 19D, 27S, 28S, 35D, 40S, etc if he's that choosy.....but perhaps he needed it for something other than a walker set.
@Walkerguy21D Thanks, I like your example, as well!
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
Tend to prefer the 1919-S. The provenance means nothing.
I think I like the provenance and the old holder better than the coin.
I like the 19 S better too but it needs a quick dip. I don’t usually say that but in this case I think it’s true.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
Sanford Saltus in June of 1922 died from accidentally drinking from a glass potassium Cyanide instead of his glass of Ginger Ale.
The cyanide was being used for cleaning his coins.
The 1920 walker may have been cleaned with that stuff thats why possibly the rough surfaces.
Any experts here that has seen the effects of that stuff on coins.
I have seen coins with such surfaces before. I personally do not like the surface look.
Krueger
see June 17/ 2019 article in coin world