1940s half dollar - grade ?

Just got this nice piece off eBay for a little above melt - first US coin I've ever bought. What numerical grade would you guys guess for it ? Would it be worth sending it to be TPGed ?

 

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For a little above melt I think you did very well. As far as a grade, maybe MS60?

 

AU55. I can see what I think is wear, but I'm not sure.

 

Au

 

AU? You guys are delusional. ( )

That's a mint state coin or my name ain't Leadfoot. Hey, wait a minute! lol

Seriously, that's at least a 64, and I suspect it might go as high as 65 or 66 depending on how bad the obverse stain is.

I see no real hits or high point wear. Look at those clean rims! Look at the luster!

But man, the obverse strike is crappy....even for a Walker, a series known for crappy strikes.

What the heck did you two see to call that coin AU?

 

The left (leading) leg on the walking liberty reverse is SOOO high compared to other devices on the coin, a weak strike can appear as wear. A way to determine the difference is if there's still luster at those high points or is it a different color (worn). I really can't tell from these photos. I would guess light high point wear, so with that kind of luster left, I'd go with AU+.

 

The wear along the line from 12 to 6, straight down the middle of the obverse makes it AU. Compare it to MS examples and you'll see. But sometimes it's very difficult to tell the difference between wear and a weak strike from pics of this particular design. You've got to see the breaks in luster, in person.

There are great things about this coin, however. It has beautiful mint luster with no blemishes, and since the OP got it at spot, it's a great bargain. This would make an excellent type coin for a low-budget collector, since it's not a key date/mm. It's definitely a coin I would buy.

 

MS 63. San Fran walkers are notorious for weak strikes. Good looking coin!

 

I am a bit stumped, looks AU-58 or MS-64, it is just too hard to tell from the images. To play it safe, I would pay the AU price for it.

 

The Walker series is plagued by both weak strike and roll friction. Without entering into another long debate about the market grading of roll friction, I would just like to say that I personally have never owned a walker that didn't show some measure of weak strike or roll friction on the high points and that trait alone is not enough to relegate a walker to AU status. If the luster in the fields is completely undisturbed, my guess is that the TPG's would grade the coin as a mint state coin. The photos are not the best and could be hiding things, but if they are accurate, I agree with Mike, MS64.

 

65 because its got pretty good luster from what I can tell from the pics.

 

I think anyone who graded that coin less than MS needs to really pay attention to the quote above.

I will add this: When you're looking at a coin and you're not sure if it is MS or AU, check two things. First, the luster in the fields. If it is not impaired, the coin will be graded MS by the TPGs just about every time. Second, look at the rims. AU coins virtually always have nicked rims. If the rims are pristine and the field luster is all there, you can take it to the bank that the coin will grade MS by the TPGS.

Bottom line: When trying to decide between AU and MS grades... Pay less attention to high point wear -- it will only confuse you -- and focus more on field luster and rims.

Hope this helps...Mike

 

p.s. by way of comparison, here's my ngc 66, which, outside the strike and stain, I think compares very similarly to the coin that is the subject of this thread:

 

p.s. by way of comparison, here is my NGC MS66

 

Nice buy! Happy Holidays!

 

MS 64, weak strike, I agree with Leadfoot, UNC.

 

Great buy!

I'm going MS64

 

I'll go with the MS65-66 group, based on the luster and clean fields - weak strike IMHO.

 

Would it be worth me sending it off to NGC ? There seems to be big price differences between MS-63, MS-64 and MS-65 for this issue.

 

Looking at the coin in the photos, I'd say it is worth it. However, it really depends on what the coin looks like in-hand.

Also, pray that the guys who graded Paul's SLQ AU-58 aren't working that day. lol