Why Are Walkers Usually Toned Darker Than Other Coins?

Now that you mention it I do have some really toned walkers.

I know haha not sure if I'm able to change the title. I'm used to a iPad and I used a iPhone to post this.

I just noticed it after collecting walkers from junk silver trays and looking over the ones I bought as a boy. I definitely prefer the dark toned ones then and now. It gives almost a cameo appearance from the toning.

I also noticed that Mercury dimes also get the same dark toning on a minority of pieces. I haven't seen it on quarters from that period though. A darkly toned walker though is extremely common.

I liked the title, too, but it was more polite to fix it.

This. As a general rule, coins with high-relief "intricate" designs, such as Walker halves, Mercury dimes or British 19th century coins, have nicer toning than other coins. High rims, or a circular feature on the coin that acts like a high rim, seems to be a major factor. Another design I have seen this same effect with is French pre-WWI silver. The fact that this effect occurs at different times in different countries tells me it is a property of the coins in question, rather than an alteration of mint processes, that is the primary cause.

I assume it's because such coins have a lot more deep crevices within which the moisture and chemicals which cause toning to form can reside in peace and do their work without being worn away. There is, of course, another theory that has more to do with human nature than the laws of physics: that coins with low relief/large empty fields/no rims tend to tone in an "uglier" fashion and are therefore more likely to attract the attention of ignorant-but-well-meaning coin custodians armed with bottles of silver polish, whereas these same people might look at an equally-heavily-tarnished walker and say, "Ooh, that looks pretty, I'll leave that one alone".

I have a collection of walkers except for the 1921 and 21-D. Almost all before 1920 that I have are pretty worn. Good condition is being able to read the date and the motto. The early walkers look thin even when you can read it all. Unless they were in a collection for almost 100 years they got used just like Liberty Standing quarters took a beating. I could probably buy a 1921 in good condition for $150-200 but I am taking a breath before I finish the collection. I see some 1938-D's in EF condition going for pretty low prices. Many of my Walkers are dark like they got grease ingrained in them. It is a beautiful design. Making the silver bullion coin a Walker front was a good idea. I bought one just to look at Walking Liberty.

I see it a lot from shop to shop in indiana so I think the design lends it to it. Though recently got one at scrap where even the non worn letters were heavily toned or cover with something black

Nighthawk

What condition would you say your Walker is in for the 1921-D? I bet it would fetch a nice price. Since you can see the skirt lines would it be in Fine condition or better? If I could put one on law a way that would be good but not happening.