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1921-s Liberty Walking Half PCGS VF-25. Do you agree with the grade?Also show us your 1921-s Halves!

semikeycollectorsemikeycollector Posts: 1,366 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum

Hi,

I won this coin last night at Stacks Bowers. The details around the breast seems sharper than VF-25. Do you agree with the VF-25 grade?




https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-1J6XLX/1921-s-walking-liberty-half-dollar-vf-25-pcgs

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    braddickbraddick Posts: 25,118 ✭✭✭✭✭

    VF25 grade is spot-on.
    Wouldn't you choose to have this coin in a VF25 slab rather than a VF30?

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    124Spider124Spider Posts: 1,214 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @braddick said:
    Wouldn't you choose to have this coin in a VF25 slab rather than a VF30?

    No
    :)

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    coinkatcoinkat Posts: 24,397 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I would rather see the coin in hand as surfaces can have an impact as we consider higher grades. A 30 seems possible.

    Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.

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    SmudgeSmudge Posts: 9,969 ✭✭✭✭✭

    It’s a nice 25.

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    jdimmickjdimmick Posts: 9,943 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Im thinking 30 details easily, but surface contacts more on reverse, maybe why the adjustment to a 25

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    jesbrokenjesbroken Posts: 11,211 ✭✭✭✭✭

    While I agree with the VF25 grade(the obv skirt lines and rev feathers limiting), what exactly are the reverse globules, for lack of a better or correct term?
    Jim


    When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln

    Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
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    kazkaz Posts: 9,349 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I think those are round indentations from contact with some object. Might explain 25 vs 30. Here is my lower grade raw 21-s

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    124Spider124Spider Posts: 1,214 ✭✭✭✭✭

    FWIW (and, no, I don't care to hear from folks who feel that mine is misgraded):

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    semikeycollectorsemikeycollector Posts: 1,366 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 22, 2025 8:34PM

    @braddick said:
    VF25 grade is spot-on.
    Wouldn't you choose to have this coin in a VF25 slab rather than a VF30?

    Hi Braddick,

    There is something to say for having a coin in a holder that describes it's grade accurately.
    I'm on the fence, if it deserves a higher grade. But taking those nodules, may make the answer nay!
    Thank you for your evaluation.

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    semikeycollectorsemikeycollector Posts: 1,366 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jdimmick said:
    Im thinking 30 details easily, but surface contacts more on reverse, maybe why the adjustment to a 25

    Very possibly so! I didn't make much of those nodules, but should have stopped to consider them a bit more. I'm considering focusing on CAC as extra safety. My coin evaluations can have lapses.

    Thank you!

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    semikeycollectorsemikeycollector Posts: 1,366 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jesbroken said:
    While I agree with the VF25 grade(the obv skirt lines and rev feathers limiting), what exactly are the reverse globules, for lack of a better or correct term?
    Jim

    What you say is fair about the limiting detail. I didn't make much of those nodules, but should have stopped to consider them a bit more.My coin evaluations can have lapses.

    Thank you!

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    VanHalenVanHalen Posts: 4,330 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Looks like a nice 25. The round divots in the eagles wing detract a touch.

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    HigashiyamaHigashiyama Posts: 2,321 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I think the OP coin is a very nice VF25. I wouldn’t have blinked if the slab said 30.

    Here is my VG album coin:


    Higashiyama
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    semikeycollectorsemikeycollector Posts: 1,366 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @VanHalen said:
    Looks like a nice 25. The round divots in the eagles wing detract a touch.

    That is a very fair assessment. Thank you!

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    semikeycollectorsemikeycollector Posts: 1,366 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Higashiyama said:
    I think the OP coin is a very nice VF25. I wouldn’t have blinked if the slab said 30.

    Here is my VG album coin:


    Thank you! If your coin is not a fine, its a VG-11 1/2. Nice coin!

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    semikeycollectorsemikeycollector Posts: 1,366 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @124Spider said:
    FWIW (and, no, I don't care to hear from folks who feel that mine is misgraded):

    Nice VF-30. You gown lines may be a hair stronger than the ones on mine. I like the originality of your coin and the completeness of the gown around the bust! You are missing the 2 divets, which is not a bad thing!

    Thanks,
    Ken

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    CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 33,877 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jdimmick said:
    Im thinking 30 details easily, but surface contacts more on reverse, maybe why the adjustment to a 25

    I certainly agree. Net graded.

    Numismatist. 54 year member ANA. Former ANA Senior Authenticator. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and ANA Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Also won the PNG's Robert Friedberg Award for "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," Available now from Whitman or Amazon.
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    semikeycollectorsemikeycollector Posts: 1,366 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @kaz said:
    I think those are round indentations from contact with some object. Might explain 25 vs 30. Here is my lower grade raw 21-s

    This is a nice 1921-s. It is as sharp as graded VF-20's that I have seen.

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    semikeycollectorsemikeycollector Posts: 1,366 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @breakdown said:
    Those round marks are not that distracting on an otherwise nice VF coin.

    Here is the Ray Levoi coin I owned moons ago. Don’t know where it now resides.

    Thanks! This is an awesome and rare 1921-s in this grade!

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    semikeycollectorsemikeycollector Posts: 1,366 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @CaptHenway said:

    @jdimmick said:
    Im thinking 30 details easily, but surface contacts more on reverse, maybe why the adjustment to a 25

    I certainly agree. Net graded.

    Thank you, a fair assessment!

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    WalkerfanWalkerfan Posts: 10,286 ✭✭✭✭✭

    It’s a nice VF 25. You might be able to get it into a 30 slab but that’s the max. IMO.

    Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

    https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/

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    EarlyUSEarlyUS Posts: 306 ✭✭✭

    Nice - looks like 30 sharpness netted down perhaps for a ding on the reverse? And now that I've scrolled back, looks like some others agree.

    James at EarlyUS.com

    On the web: http://www.earlyus.com
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    marcmoishmarcmoish Posts: 6,906 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Just a really great circ example, and well graded as is.

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    seatedlib3991seatedlib3991 Posts: 1,612 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I don't have a 1921-S Walker anymore but as a collector I am more than happy to have coins that have higher grade virtues at the lower price. As a collector, I would much rather have a coin that is strong for the grade or even undergraded. I consider it a bonus. I get to enjoy a better coin and others can chase numbers on plastic . Nice Coin. James

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    124Spider124Spider Posts: 1,214 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @seatedlib3991 said:
    I don't have a 1921-S Walker anymore but as a collector I am more than happy to have coins that have higher grade virtues at the lower price. As a collector, I would much rather have a coin that is strong for the grade or even undergraded. I consider it a bonus. I get to enjoy a better coin and others can chase numbers on plastic . Nice Coin. James

    I doubt anybody would disagree with that. The reason I diagreed with the early post about preferring the coin be graded VF25 than VF30 is that, given a particular coin, and given that I already own it, I'd rather it be housed in a higher-grade piece of plastic than in a lower-grade one. If I'm buying, I want it to be in a lower-grade piece of plastic.

    YMMV

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    hummingbird_coinshummingbird_coins Posts: 1,618 ✭✭✭✭✭

    If the coin was net graded, I feel like the surfaces (recovering from cleaning?) were more of the reason than those round marks in particular. They are rather out of the way, and I didn't even notice them until they were pointed out

    Young Numismatist • My Toned Coins
    Life is roadblocks. Don't let nothing stop you, 'cause we ain't stopping. - DJ Khaled

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    semikeycollectorsemikeycollector Posts: 1,366 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @hummingbird_coins said:
    If the coin was net graded, I feel like the surfaces (recovering from cleaning?) were more of the reason than those round marks in particular. They are rather out of the way, and I didn't even notice them until they were pointed out

    I appreciate your insights!
    Thank you!

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    semikeycollectorsemikeycollector Posts: 1,366 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 24, 2025 1:03AM

    @124Spider said:

    @seatedlib3991 said:
    I don't have a 1921-S Walker anymore but as a collector I am more than happy to have coins that have higher grade virtues at the lower price. As a collector, I would much rather have a coin that is strong for the grade or even undergraded. I consider it a bonus. I get to enjoy a better coin and others can chase numbers on plastic . Nice Coin. James

    I doubt anybody would disagree with that. The reason I diagreed with the early post about preferring the coin be graded VF25 than VF30 is that, given a particular coin, and given that I already own it, I'd rather it be housed in a higher-grade piece of plastic than in a lower-grade one. If I'm buying, I want it to be in a lower-grade piece of plastic.

    YMMV

    Yes! The retail premium for this coin jumps from generally under 1K for vf20 to 4K for EF-40. Every 5 points the increase is well over $500. We still buy "the holder" to some degree.

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    semikeycollectorsemikeycollector Posts: 1,366 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @seatedlib3991 said:
    I don't have a 1921-S Walker anymore but as a collector I am more than happy to have coins that have higher grade virtues at the lower price. As a collector, I would much rather have a coin that is strong for the grade or even undergraded. I consider it a bonus. I get to enjoy a better coin and others can chase numbers on plastic . Nice Coin. James

    Thank you James!

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    semikeycollectorsemikeycollector Posts: 1,366 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @marcmoish said:
    Just a really great circ example, and well graded as is.

    I appreciate you taking a look!

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    semikeycollectorsemikeycollector Posts: 1,366 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Walkerfan said:
    It’s a nice VF 25. You might be able to get it into a 30 slab but that’s the max. IMO.

    Thank you! That's more than fair!

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    semikeycollectorsemikeycollector Posts: 1,366 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @OldeTowneCoinShoppe said:
    Nice - looks like 30 sharpness netted down perhaps for a ding on the reverse? And now that I've scrolled back, looks like some others agree.

    Thanks for taking a look!!

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    VanHalenVanHalen Posts: 4,330 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Walkerfan said:
    Here's my 45. I was blown away, when I saw it for the first time. I quickly pulled the trigger. Looks better than 95% of 45s that I've seen from either service. Lots of detail left with a great strike. I plan to have it regraded, someday. I think it belongs in a 50 or 53 slab. Looks original, too.

    Do you have images that show off the luster better? Technically it looks like a 50 but I'm not getting a good vibe on the surfaces.

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    pursuitoflibertypursuitofliberty Posts: 7,836 ✭✭✭✭✭

    OP's coin looks 25/30 to me, but I think was net graded at 25 as the surfaces have that look like they got a soap and water handwash, which also gave the surfaces a bit of a glossy look.

    My 2c ...

    @Walkerfan Yours looks like a 45 to me. Pretty solid for that, from what I can tell, and possibly even beanable. I do not see her as an AU however.

    Again, my 2c ...


    “We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”

    Todd - BHNC #242
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    semikeycollectorsemikeycollector Posts: 1,366 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @pursuitofliberty said:
    OP's coin looks 25/30 to me, but I think was net graded at 25 as the surfaces have that look like they got a soap and water handwash, which also gave the surfaces a bit of a glossy look.

    My 2c ...

    @Walkerfan Yours looks like a 45 to me. Pretty solid for that, from what I can tell, and possibly even beanable. I do not see her as an AU however.

    Again, my 2c ...

    Thanks for taking a look. Interesting, so you feel the coin has a glossy effect? I'm trying to see it.

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    pursuitoflibertypursuitofliberty Posts: 7,836 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @semikeycollector said:

    @pursuitofliberty said:
    OP's coin looks 25/30 to me, but I think was net graded at 25 as the surfaces have that look like they got a soap and water handwash, which also gave the surfaces a bit of a glossy look.

    My 2c ...

    @Walkerfan Yours looks like a 45 to me. Pretty solid for that, from what I can tell, and possibly even beanable. I do not see her as an AU however.

    Again, my 2c ...

    Thanks for taking a look. Interesting, so you feel the coin has a glossy effect? I'm trying to see it.

    Maybe the wrong term. That can bring up bad connotations (and a lot of poor examples).

    She has that "hand washed look" to me, however that can be described. That shouldn't take away from her though. I like the coin as a 25, and think she's nice for the grade. Someone may have tried to help her a little, but she certainly doesn't look molested.


    “We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”

    Todd - BHNC #242
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    breakdownbreakdown Posts: 2,381 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Walkerfan said:
    Here's my 45. I was blown away, when I saw it for the first time. I quickly pulled the trigger. Looks better than 95% of 45s that I've seen from either service. Lots of detail left with a great strike. I plan to have it regraded, someday. I think it belongs in a 50 or 53 slab. Looks original, too.

    I like this coin a lot. Not sure the luster gets it in a AU holder but then luster is hard to capture in a photo.

    "Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.

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    semikeycollectorsemikeycollector Posts: 1,366 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jesbroken said:
    Here's a 21S from my Wayte Raymond Album. Not sure the skirt ever had lines. ;)
    Jim


    A cool piece! Very similar to coins in my Whitman Album! 21-s was an unfilled hole!

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    semikeycollectorsemikeycollector Posts: 1,366 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Copperindian said:
    The Ray Levoi coin pictured above was a MS64. If I recall, it also had a CAC bean. Here’s my MS63 that was the last one I needed to complete my Early Walker registry set:



    Wow! So rare and strong luster for an MS-63 IMHO!

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    semikeycollectorsemikeycollector Posts: 1,366 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @pursuitofliberty said:

    @semikeycollector said:

    @pursuitofliberty said:
    OP's coin looks 25/30 to me, but I think was net graded at 25 as the surfaces have that look like they got a soap and water handwash, which also gave the surfaces a bit of a glossy look.

    My 2c ...

    @Walkerfan Yours looks like a 45 to me. Pretty solid for that, from what I can tell, and possibly even beanable. I do not see her as an AU however.

    Again, my 2c ...

    Thanks for taking a look. Interesting, so you feel the coin has a glossy effect? I'm trying to see it.

    Maybe the wrong term. That can bring up bad connotations (and a lot of poor examples).

    She has that "hand washed look" to me, however that can be described. That shouldn't take away from her though. I like the coin as a 25, and think she's nice for the grade. Someone may have tried to help her a little, but she certainly doesn't look molested.

    Todd, Thank you for your follow up!

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    Cougar1978Cougar1978 Posts: 9,778 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 25, 2025 5:26AM

    OP PCGS VF25 coin - Yes agree with the grade, it’s a nice coin. Like it.

    Investor
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    semikeycollectorsemikeycollector Posts: 1,366 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Cougar1978 said:
    OP PCGS VF25 coin - Yes agree with the grade, it’s a nice coin. Like it.

    Thank you Cougar1978 !

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    rec78rec78 Posts: 5,933 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Sorry, but, I am the worst grader of walking liberty half dollars. If it ain't XF or better it is VG or lower, with no fine or very fine inbetween. I guess that you can tell that this is not my favorite series. I do like higher graded (XF or better) examples of the early dates.

    image
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    semikeycollectorsemikeycollector Posts: 1,366 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @rec78 said:
    Sorry, but, I am the worst grader of walking liberty half dollars. If it ain't XF or better it is VG or lower, with no fine or very fine inbetween. I guess that you can tell that this is not my favorite series. I do like higher graded (XF or better) examples of the early dates.

    It seems that I'm having some challenges myself :)

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    Walkerguy21DWalkerguy21D Posts: 12,100 ✭✭✭✭✭

    This is a date that’s always frustrated me, and I’ve made some poor decisions along the way.

    Here is one of two I own, this and a higher grade specimen in an ANACS holder that’s a story for another time:



    Successful BST transactions with 177 members. breakdown, scotty1419, mattniss, bigjpst, onlyroosies, Manorcourtman, guitarwes, Ebeneezer, Tonedeaf, Shane6596, Piano1, Ikenefic, RG, PCGSPhoto, stman, Don'tTelltheWife, Boosibri, Ron1968, snowequities, VTchaser, jrt103, SurfinxHI, 78saen, bp777, FHC, RYK, JTHawaii, Opportunity, Kliao, bigtime36, skanderbeg, split37, thebigeng, acloco, Toninginthblood, OKCC, braddick, Coinflip, robcool, fastfreddie, tightbudget, DBSTrader2, nickelsciolist, relaxn, Eagle eye, soldi, silverman68, ElKevvo, sawyerjosh, Schmitz7, talkingwalnut2, konsole, sharkman987, sniocsu, comma, jesbroken, David1234, biosolar, Sullykerry, Moldnut, erwindoc, MichaelDixon, GotTheBug
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    semikeycollectorsemikeycollector Posts: 1,366 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Walkerguy21D said:
    This is a date that’s always frustrated me, and I’ve made some poor decisions along the way.

    Here is one of two I own, this and a higher grade specimen in an ANACS holder that’s a story for another time:



    Very nice detail on this VF-30! The smokey toning is attractive!

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