1921-s Walking Liberty Half Dollar
semikeycollector
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Is the 1921-s truly the rarest walker in VF grades? The 21-d has a lower PCGS population and the prices are similar except VF-35. I was wondering if the prices of VF and XF coins were inflated, because the 21-s is rarer in AU and BU?
I was considering getting a nice VF-25 or 30 for a key typeset. But it would be nice to know that it is the rarest in VF grades.
What do you think?
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Just buy a nice gem uncirculated example. Then you know that you have the best of the best.
In my experience, the 1916-S WLH is a tougher coin than the 1921-S in F and VF grades. Perhaps this is not consistent with other folks, but if I were looking to buy a really tough VF WLH then I wouldn't forget the 1916-S.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
The US market is too large and too mature for pricing to not be accurate for coins with any significant population. Walkers are widely collected and the price is the price, at least for today. My crystal ball remains broken.
The 21S is not rare in VF, but is in XF and above.
I’d opt for a 21P, 21D, or a 17S obv. if you want just one tough walker in VF. I also like these in this grade range as the price and scarcity really go up in higher grades.
I like @TomB’s 16S also, but it’s a coin that seems to get less scarce in higher grades. Maybe I have a distorted view, but recall years ago that I had three 16S walkers in stock in XF 45-AU, but had two customers wanting that date in F15 and I never came across one in a years’ searching.
Not sure about VF but the 1921-S is extremely rare in XF or better. More so than the others.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
Good Point!
Will look at 17-s .I like the fact that it gets rarer in the higher grades. Thanks!
Will look at 16-s Thanks!
I disagree on your first point; BUT, I agree with you in the case of early date Walkers. To fully understand this, one needs to prepare a table of graded early date Walker populations and then tabulate the price guide values for the different dates.
A glaring example of your first point is the 1913-S Barber quarter. A reputed key date. PCGS Valued at $26,500 In MS64. There are 20 scarcer Barber quarters that are significantly less expensive.
What about a magic 8 ball?
Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc
Most key Walkers are much rarer than we realize, as population numbers are inaccurate and have been vastly and artificially inflated over the years.
I prefer Tarot cards, myself.
🃏
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 am attempting to assemble a matched set of Walkers in VF. It took me 5 years to find the 16-S . It came in a PCGS-VF 35 holder with a green CAC, and I haven't seen another approximation to mine since. I have yet to find the 17-S Obverse except for one specimen I foolishly passed on a few years ago.
Whit
Yes, I found myself in the deep end of the pool when I collected early Walkers. However, the CAC populations can be most helpful. For example, compare the populations of the. 1927-S to the the 1928-S.
Finding them in grades is one thing, but finding them with eye appeal adds a measure of difficulty.
A couple of blasts from the past that I wish I still had.
Not rare, but I found it hard to find a nice looking one. I still have this one.
That doesn't make them incorrectly priced. If the market is thin or infrequently traded, as i said, the guides may be inaccurate. But for anything frequently traded, the price is the price, whether you believe it to be too high or too low.
Some of us feel lucky to have one at all.
Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc
Are you sure you aren’t confusing positive selection bias for scarcity? By this I refer to the propensity of (much) higher value coins to be submitted in (much) higher number or proportion.
Given the price difference between the 13-S and most dates, it’s very unlikely the 13-S is actually scarcer.
This thread makes me want to see if I can/should get my album set in holders!
I hear ya
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
What does correctly priced really mean?
Demand / popularity will supersede rarity in many cases.
I love this type of research. I do it more for mid grade coins in Seated and AU for gold.
Sounds like a lovely set!
These are very choice coins!!! Lovely.
It looks like 1/3 more CAC coins for 1927-s. These issues have special meaning to me. These were my parent's birth years.
I always enjoy seeing a run of dates like this!
It's true! Looking at populations of certified coins, coins should only be compared to others in the same price band. Because as you say,"By this I refer to the propensity of (much) higher value coins to be submitted in (much) higher number or proportion."
Correctly priced means the price they sell for in the market. It's all supply and demand. Scarcity affects supply but a unique coin with no demand has no value.
Another factor to consider is that the 1921-S walker is much more in demand than the 1916-S walker even though more common in VF.
Have you considered purchasing more of these walkers in Fine condition rather than just one in VF condition?
The fine may be a better value for the money. I do like seeing a full (or nearly so) bust outline. A nice VF-25 or 30 will will get me there. The demand angle is noteworthy.
I really like the 1921-S walker so much that I accumulated an entire roll of them in G to VG over a 10 year period. .
How cool!
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 leaning toward getting one also!