Heritage World Coin Auctions
ANA Signature US Coin Sale 1258 2-6 Aug 2017
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Walking Liberty Half Dollars
1921-S 50C MS65 NGC. A limited mintage of 548,000 Walking Liberty half dollars was struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1921. Production of half dollars was down at all three active U.S. mints in 1921, probably due to the massive silver dollar production mandated by the Pittman Act, which consumed much of the Mint's time and resources. The Philadelphia and Denver facilities actually produced even fewer coins than San Francisco. Surprisingly, the 1921-S is the most elusive of these three key issues in today's market, despite its higher mintage. In point of fact, series specialists believe the 1921-S is the rarest issue of the Walking Liberty series in Mint State condition. Apparently, contemporary collectors saved the lower mintage Philadelphia and Denver coins in larger numbers at the time of issue, neglecting the 1921-S.
It does not help that the 1921-S was not a well-produced issue. In fact, the 1921-S 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 often sharper, but the eagle's trailing leg usually shows some incomplete detail. The issue often has below-average luster characteristics, as well. In his Collecting and Investing Strategies for Walking Liberty Half Dollars, Jeff Ambio notes, "Even most Gems that I have seen have the soft strike and somewhat muted luster for which the issue is known."
The present coin is a remarkable Gem, with a much better-than-average strike that shows some slight separation between Liberty's thumb and fingers on the wreath hand and clearly emerging detail on her head. Luster is another strong point for this coin, as both sides display a vibrant, satiny sheen. The well-preserved surfaces show no mentionable distractions, with a few highlights of pale gold toning. Census: 21 in 65, 2 finer (6/17).
HID02901242017
1921-S 50C MS65 NGC. A limited mintage of 548,000 Walking Liberty half dollars was struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1921. Production of half dollars was down at all three active U.S. mints in 1921, probably due to the massive silver dollar production mandated by the Pittman Act, which consumed much of the Mint's time and resources. The Philadelphia and Denver facilities actually produced even fewer coins than San Francisco. Surprisingly, the 1921-S is the most elusive of these three key issues in today's market, despite its higher mintage. In point of fact, series specialists believe the 1921-S is the rarest issue of the Walking Liberty series in Mint State condition. Apparently, contemporary collectors saved the lower mintage Philadelphia and Denver coins in larger numbers at the time of issue, neglecting the 1921-S.
It does not help that the 1921-S was not a well-produced issue. In fact, the 1921-S 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 often sharper, but the eagle's trailing leg usually shows some incomplete detail. The issue often has below-average luster characteristics, as well. In his Collecting and Investing Strategies for Walking Liberty Half Dollars, Jeff Ambio notes, "Even most Gems that I have seen have the soft strike and somewhat muted luster for which the issue is known."
The present coin is a remarkable Gem, with a much better-than-average strike that shows some slight separation between Liberty's thumb and fingers on the wreath hand and clearly emerging detail on her head. Luster is another strong point for this coin, as both sides display a vibrant, satiny sheen. The well-preserved surfaces show no mentionable distractions, with a few highlights of pale gold toning. Census: 21 in 65, 2 finer (6/17).
HID02901242017