Proof Walkers... reasonable at current levels?

dan1ecu · January 24, 2004 7:10AM

Proof Walkers aren't exactly rare, even in 66 and 67. Even so, with a limited number of years in the set, are they reasonably priced?

Dan

Baley · January 24, 2004 7:21AM

I dunno, what are they priced at current levels?

For example, what's a '40 in PCGS 66 command these days?

I really have no idea. Have had this one for quite a while.

Merc · January 24, 2004 3:04PM

No, I think they are overpriced. I was told by 2 different major dealers that other dealers promoted them and drove up the price. I bought 4 Pf66 NGC, PCGS of them in 2000 for around $300 each. Now I see them at shows for $700-800 or more. The trouble is, I don't know if or when they are going back down.

lordmarcovan · January 24, 2004 3:27PM

I've never had one.

Never had a proof Merc dime, either.

puff · January 24, 2004 3:52PM

<< <i>I've never had one.

Never had a proof Merc dime, either. >>

I never had one either.... But I have 1 or 2 of MS's!

lordmarcovan · January 24, 2004 4:01PM

I have a proof Barber half, though...

islemangu · January 24, 2004 5:47PM

I never had one either.... But I have 1 or 2 of MS's!

Puff lets help out each other...lets swap my proof for one of your MSers

silvereaglecoins · January 24, 2004 11:29PM

I feel proof walkers are a bargain at current levels. Considering their tiny mintages for "common dates" i.e. 15,412 for 1941 and 21,120 for 1942, trend values at $500 in PR64 to $800 in PR65 seems reasonable. The big problem is finding nice, eye-appealing coins at those grades. The majority of proof walkers suffer from haze, unattractive toning, and/or hairlines since few have been stored properly for 60+ years. I attend a dozen or more coin shows a year and typically see only 1 or 2 nice coins PER year. Of course, earlier dates and higher grades cost considerably more so 1941-1942 dates in PR64-PR65 are your best "value", especially if you can find a fully brilliant example, free of the problems mentioned above. Cameo specimens are an ultra rarity with only five PCGS examples designated "CAM" over the entire series! No DCAMs exist. Below is PCGS trends pricing:

Series 45 -- Walking Liberty Half Dollars 1936-1942 Proofs

Coin # Description Desig 60 63 64 65 66 67

1 1936 - - - - 1100 2275 3700 6250 8750 24500

2 1937 - - - - 475 525 875 1500 2000 4750

3 1938 - - - - 450 525 800 1150 1300 3250

4 1939 - - - - 400 485 725 1000 1200 1900

5 1940 - - - - 350 395 625 875 1050 1850

6 1941 - - - - 290 400 525 800 1000 1600

7 1942 - - - - 290 400 525 800 1000 1750

66Tbird · January 25, 2004 12:36AM

I was lucky enouh to pick up a very clean 41 in 4 a few years ago. It was a stand out(totaol eye appeal) in a case full of four and five figure coins. No hair lines, just weak strike. Got it for 500 and have never seen another come close to that combination of look and price. But I don't get out much. I would do it again in a heartbeat because that one brillant proof is so much differnt from the MS coins. Kind of took the wind out of that design on MS coins. (WL & SAE). Now a cameo walker would be nice.

airplanenut · January 25, 2004 12:52AM

<< <i>Below is PCGS trends pricing: >>

Unfortunately, PCGS' pricing means very little...

silvereaglecoins · January 25, 2004 2:18AM

The PCGS price guide tends to be on the high side but it is not totally out-of-line as implied. No better or worse than Red Book prices. Dealer Greysheet prices on coins such as common-date proof walkers is way low IMHO ($410 bid / $450 ask in PR64, $590 bid / $640 ask in PR65). I usually try to offer full greysheet "ASK" on PQ proof walkers and rarely if ever can find anyone willing to sell them that cheap. Yes, you can find "run-of-the-mill" ugly and hazy proof walkers at reasonable prices but who wants those coins? PQ proof walkers are nearly impossible to find. If you don't believe me, ask any dealer.

On a related topic, why is a 1995-W proof silver eagle (mintage 30,125) worth over $2,000? By comparision, a PQ proof walker at 1/4 to 1/3 the cost of the overpriced silver eagle is a far better value.

dan1ecu · January 25, 2004 2:39AM

Thanks, All, for the replies.

I tend to agree that proof Walkers are reasonable considering their low mintages. I also agree that many that are available lack in the way of eye appeal.

Dan

roadrunner · January 25, 2004 2:45AM

They've had a nice run up over the past 2 years. Actually a very strong run up. I think they are more than fully priced and other areas of the market still need to catch up.

roadrunner

Proof Walkers... reasonable at current levels?

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