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 Replies: 13 / Views: 1,137 |
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Valued Member
United States
392 Posts |
ebay listing 1943-S Walking Liberty half is listed in Choice Uncirculated condition. Here is the listing https://www.ebay.com/itm/314658482403 The coin shows no detail of the face and very little detail on Liberty's gown. I'm not an authority by a long shot but as I struggle to learn grading and bump into something like this, I must be missing something. I"m submitting this to the forum as a learning experience. I know that there are many inaccurate ebay listings but this one screamed at me. Your help is appreciated. Edited by jack316
06/23/2023 6:57 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
24923 Posts |
Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
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Valued Member
 United States
392 Posts |
HB - Thanks for the reference. The CCF example shows much more detail. I agree that it has been seriously polished. As I read about the Seller he has a very respectable feedback rating and he obviously has numismatic knowledge (dealer maybe ?) I can't help but wonder why he would risk his reputation to hype a coin that isn't choice or uncirculated. I don't think this can be resolved by simply saying that grading is in the eye of the individual. Again, thanks for the response, on with the learning!
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Moderator
United States
94765 Posts |
In what universe is THAT uncirculated? For posterity:   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4468 Posts |
The seller's photos appear to be scans. I would agree with the seller that the coin is MS. There is a scratch going from Liberty's dress to the motto. My grade would be MS details scratched. The flat head could be from overexposure light on her head.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Polished coin, falsely described.
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Valued Member
United States
90 Posts |
I think that the seller's coin is accurately described. It's not the best MS-63-ish San Fran walker I've seen, but it's by no means the worst. And to compare a San Francisco walker to a Philadelphia walker will almost always be an unfair comparison. Pull up GreatCollections (or the auction site of your choice) and find 43-S's and compare. Yes, this one has a weak strike, and there's a mark to the motto. But these are large coins and it's rare to see them with pristine obverse fields, IMHO. I've got the Official Red Book Guide of Mercury dimes, Standing Liberty quarters, and Liberty Walking half dollars by Q. David Bowers. It says of the 43-S walker: "Characteristics of striking-Head: Usually with about 60% or more details. Left hand: Usually with 50% or more details. Eagle's left leg: Usually with about half of the feathers. Overview: To find a nice 1943-S will be a challenge. Most of them lack significant detail in the important areas, but happily, there are occasional exceptions." When I was working on walkers, I strove to find examples with full split thumbs - and it's not easy. The high-grade branch mint walkers with good strikes are BIG money. |
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Valued Member
United States
392 Posts |
Thank you all for the valuable insights! I suppose the camera/lighting could explain some of the flat areas. I see what looks to be wear on Liberty's gown above her waist and no facial details. On the reverse, the eagle's left leg has no detail below its breast. I'm pretty sure that I'll never be great at determining grade. Just from the comments so far I'm completely off target. I know it's not right but I tend to think of MS and BU coins as being much better looking (read: prettier) than common circulated issues. I realize there are a host of issues that can be present (milk spots, poor strike, lack of luster, etc.) and still rate an uncirculated grade. I guess I'm not "there" yet. I honestly appreciate all the help. Jack
Edited by jack316
06/24/2023 3:18 pm
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Moderator
United States
94765 Posts |
Well, I stand corrected here. It could be an MS-62 walker, maybe not a 63 though. Some detail of the left hand and arm are gone. Here is a PCGS graded ms-63 1943-S walker that looks just like this one.  ebay item number: 353897123797 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3848 Posts |
You need more practice on differentiating strike weakness vs wear. It is a tough but very useful skill. PCGS messes up all of the time with early American coinage, knocking a coin significantly for a weak strike.
The OP coin looks whizzed. I've handled a few finely whizzed coins, and this appears to have that type of surface quality. The buyer will get this coin in hand and may not recognize the false luster.
Suffering from bust half fever. Want to learn how to attribute early half dollars by die variety? Click Here: http://goccf.com/t/434955Shoot me a PM if you are looking to sell bust halves. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4468 Posts |
I am not putting the OP coin in the polished, wizzed category as I am not seeing any hairlines. What you may be seeing is a result of the images. The seller notes on some of the coins as being Details Cleaned. The seller notes on both of the coins below as being cleaned, and there are hairlines visible in the images. This seller is more forthright with information about problem coins than most sellers on ebay. A hand inspection of the coin would be necessary to determine if in fact, the coin is polished or wizzed. Dipping can also change the luster on a photo of a MS coin..   Edited by Slider23
06/25/2023 1:08 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3755 Posts |
I dont see this one as polished either. Not from these pics anyway. It looks like a typical mushy strike and not great lighting for the pic.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7613 Posts |
Early 1940's S mint Walkers are notoriously poorly struck. This coin appears to be no different. Not worth getting graded but would be a nice hole filler for a 7070 set. MS62/63 in my opinion.
At least the Seller offers a return period so if you don't like the coin you can get a refund.
That's my two-cents!
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
We sometimes forget that there are lots and lots of people out there trying to sell something. This is just one of those.
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Replies: 13 / Views: 1,137 |
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Posted 06/23/2023 7:37 pm
