Are "No AW" WLH Proof evenly slightly rare
ad4400
Posts: 2,258 ✭✭✭✭✭
As a backdrop I recently decided to start a Proof 1941 year set. It was my mom's birth year.
I've always been drawn to die varieties, so got somewhat excited when I saw listings for "No AW" 1941 proof WLHs. I dutifully went out and procured one such unattributed piece (picture below, not that that it adds to the fundamental question of post, but this post is worthless without a pic, right?) But as I continue to look, it seems that more pieces than not are "No AW". Am I off on that assessment? The PCGS POP for this variety is a whopping dozen, but should I just assume that no one cares, and it adds no monetary value to have the piece attributed>
Liberty Nickel Digital Album
Buffalo Nickel Digital Album
Toned Buffalo Date SetDigital Album
https://pcgs.com/setregistry/mysetregistry/album/411385 7070 Registry<
Buffalo Nickel Digital Album
Toned Buffalo Date SetDigital Album
https://pcgs.com/setregistry/mysetregistry/album/411385 7070 Registry<
0
Comments
No, specialists see this as a net negative. Overpolishing is common for the era and it ends up being a distractor when it gets this bad.
Coin Photography
Yes agree above but... this is a solid coin and no lasting negative for the excess polishing beyond the initials.
You can see it is a late die state IMHO but a solid coin.
Good start to Momma's proof set
Not rare, since they polished the grunt out of those dies to make them shiny. Probably more common than a fully detailed one. I don't want a proof that doesn't have all the details intended, so for me and likely many others it's less desirable, too. Took a bit of searching to find my 1941.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
There are business strikes of the no AW that exist as well- I believe the first was the 1918-D which is in Breen and was first discovered over 60 years ago. About 25 yrs ago. I unknowingly at the time bought one at a show. And after taking a closer look, I then noticed the initials were gone. I sent it off to ANACS with the Breen number and it graded AU53. While the strike was flat. it did have original surfaces, so I don't regret submitting it. And back in those days ANACS was basically the only game in town with varieties that were yet to be recognized by other TPG companies.
It just seems that some varieties within series... for whatever reason... do not seem to gain a following. The 1918-D with the no AW as well as others that exist for the WLH series just seem to be ignored. I still do not think the 1918-D has been identified in any editions of the Cherry Pickers Guide,
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
Thanks for everybody’s input. Interesting nuance in collecting: business strikes with missing initials can bring a hefty premium, but less desirable for the proof Coins.
I’m still pleased with my selection of that particular coin on several fronts.
Buffalo Nickel Digital Album
Toned Buffalo Date SetDigital Album
https://pcgs.com/setregistry/mysetregistry/album/411385 7070 Registry<
I wouldn't pay a premium for either. But some would.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
This. Excess polishing is a major problem on 1936-1942 proof coins. In addition to the initials, the hand notoriously lacks detail on the half and Mr. Lincoln’s tie on the cent.