We all start out over estimating the grades and it takes time/experience to get them right.Best of luck !
Not to belabor the point, but what's holding it back from AU is obvious wear on the devices and lack of luster in the fields. Still, it is a nice original looking circ half.
I just have to stop using photo grade...looked like a higher grade to me. If you look at the pics I posted, it shows the same type of wear. I didn't do bad on it fortunately, money wise. Bought and shipped for 12 bucks. I was just hoping I stole it. I really love the Walking Liberties. I'm going to start working towards the set. From now on, slabbed pcgs/ngc coins only. I have a 42 NGC MS65. That's the one that started it.
Well you picked a nice coin to learn a lesson on. It only cost you $12.00. The big difference between the PCGS Photograde and your coin is in the fields. Notice on yours that the fields lack luster. The fields on the PCGS coin shows luster. Wear and weak strike can look similar, the big difference is luster. Luster is the micro flow lines created by the metal flowing out towards the rims as the coin is struck. This is why you see cartwheels on uncirculated coins. The other giveaway on your coin are the scratches and dullness. You are learning and this is part of the learning process. My advice, go to shows and coin shops and look at a lot of coins in hand to get a feel as to how they look. Then, start looking at searches of "BU" Walking Liberty Half Dollars on eBay to get a feel as to how uncirculated coins look through a myriad of different photo's. Then you will start to get a good feel for a coins true condition using photo's. Even then, you won't get every one right. Good Luck.
What would you say grade is on this coin? Call it as you see it. It's the only picture to look at and the reverse is in the same condition as the front. Just for fun