Heritage World Coin Auctions
Long Beach Signature US Coin Sale 1256 8-9 Jun 2017
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Walking Liberty Half Dollars
1921-S 50C MS64 PCGS. CAC. Only 548,000 Walking Liberty half dollars were struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1921. Production was down at all three active U.S. mints in 1921, and the Philadelphia and Denver facilities actually produced even fewer coins than San Francisco. However, despite the larger mintage, the 1921-S is the most elusive of these three key issues in today's market. In fact, the 1921-S is the rarest issue of the Walking Liberty series in Mint State grades. It may be that contemporary collectors saved the lower mintage Philadelphia and Denver coins in larger numbers, while the 1921-S was relatively neglected at the time of issue.
Unfortunately, the 1921-S was not a well-produced issue and is known as a strike rarity, with almost all examples seen showing some softness on Liberty's head and the wreath hand. The reverse is usually sharper, but some softness is typical on the eagle's trailing leg. The 1921-s generally has below-average luster characteristics, as well. In his Collecting and Investing Strategies for Walking Liberty Half Dollars, Jeff Ambio recommends the 1921-S in grades of MS63-MS64, noting "Choice examples have tremendous appeal in virtually any numismatic market."
This delightful Choice specimen offers well-detailed design elements that show some of the typical softness on Liberty's head. The wreath hand shows better-than-average definition, with just a hint of separation between Liberty's thumb and fingers, and the eagle's leg is much sharper than usual. Vibrant satiny mint luster is evident on both sides and the well-preserved surfaces are essentially brilliant, with just a few subtle hints of pale gold and lavender toning in selected areas. Overall eye appeal is outstanding for this always popular series key. Population: 48 in 64 (2 in 64+), 18 finer. CAC: 9 in 64, 5 finer (4/17).
HID02901242017
1921-S 50C MS64 PCGS. CAC. Only 548,000 Walking Liberty half dollars were struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1921. Production was down at all three active U.S. mints in 1921, and the Philadelphia and Denver facilities actually produced even fewer coins than San Francisco. However, despite the larger mintage, the 1921-S is the most elusive of these three key issues in today's market. In fact, the 1921-S is the rarest issue of the Walking Liberty series in Mint State grades. It may be that contemporary collectors saved the lower mintage Philadelphia and Denver coins in larger numbers, while the 1921-S was relatively neglected at the time of issue.
Unfortunately, the 1921-S was not a well-produced issue and is known as a strike rarity, with almost all examples seen showing some softness on Liberty's head and the wreath hand. The reverse is usually sharper, but some softness is typical on the eagle's trailing leg. The 1921-s generally has below-average luster characteristics, as well. In his Collecting and Investing Strategies for Walking Liberty Half Dollars, Jeff Ambio recommends the 1921-S in grades of MS63-MS64, noting "Choice examples have tremendous appeal in virtually any numismatic market."
This delightful Choice specimen offers well-detailed design elements that show some of the typical softness on Liberty's head. The wreath hand shows better-than-average definition, with just a hint of separation between Liberty's thumb and fingers, and the eagle's leg is much sharper than usual. Vibrant satiny mint luster is evident on both sides and the well-preserved surfaces are essentially brilliant, with just a few subtle hints of pale gold and lavender toning in selected areas. Overall eye appeal is outstanding for this always popular series key. Population: 48 in 64 (2 in 64+), 18 finer. CAC: 9 in 64, 5 finer (4/17).
HID02901242017