I have a tiny question for the group and would appreciate some advice and feedback. I have finally decided what I want to collect... everything.. I would like to get some nice examples of coins which I remember as a wee lad and when I ran my paper route. I have a a short list of coins which I have been working on for a while and now focusing my attention on walker half dollars. What I am looking at is a short set of uncirulated Walker Halves preferably 1941-1947 the war years . I have noticed some of the auction (Ebay) have these coins set available in gem blast white condition. My questions is the following . Consider this is a 21 coin set , would you suspect these coins have been cleaned recently. Is it possible for coins this age to remain tone free . I know a lot if not most older silver coins have been cleaned at some point but to get a set of 21 tone free coins which are being advertised as "Never Been Cleaned" possible. Concerning certified coins I be wrong on this but NGC and PCGS will certify cleaned coins if they have not been damage by harsh cleaning... Thanks.. I go now.
Check this sit out, I understand they are very reputable. Haven't bought anything from them...yet. http://www.apmex.com/Category/219/Walking_Liberty_Half_Dollars_1916_1947.aspx I have been going through a hoard of silver that my grandfather buried in about 1939. It stayed in earthen jars for about 30 years. Amazingly, the majority of it was in REALLY great condition. Check out this dime that I just came across the other day! Only very slight toning on the obverse. Some on this site have graded it MS 63/64 FSB!!! SO...even coins that have been poorly cared for can survive in fantastic shape. Now I'm not saying the ones on ebay aren't cleaned, I'll leave that up to you.
Yes, coins can remain essentially free of tone if they were lucky enough to be stored under good conditions. I personally would not buy an uncertified set. I wouldn't be so concerned with grade unless touted as MS-63 or higher. Some of the higher grades can be REAL pricey (look at the 1941-S in MS-65.) My concern (as is yours) would be cleaned coins. If you want uncirculated coins, I suggest slabbed coins in MS-63 or higher. And slabbed by the reputable TPGs (PCGS, NGC, ICG & ANACS.) For less than UNC coins I would go one coin at a time and really examine the seller's reputation. As to NGC and PCGS slabbing cleaned coins, the short answer is "yes". BUT that's really limited to coins lightly cleaned a long time ago (19th century.) WL Halves won't get that privilege.
Good Morning Bama Guy I like you idea of the short set. Prices are tough on examples much later then that. I'm a BU collector and dream of affording them. May I suggest that you put some money together and visit a coin show or two and look there. The internet show case is so hard to detect problem coins. When it comes to a collection of this type "I" would demand decent coins at decent price. Teletrade auctions have some nice coins but they seem to get high bids too. Also there are fees involved with this type of purchasing which might make your sorry you did. There's a link somewhere here at CoinTalk for a Fed Seizure site that auctions coins and I've seen some very nice Walkers there. I can't afford to purchase anything at the moment so I just viewed them. Good Luck! and I hope you find some great buys. Allen
WOW Carl Nice Pics Carl!!! That sure is a nice Merc you have there. Short of the hit on the object of the obverse it could have been a 65 or better. The reverse is quite spectacular. You really took some great pics. In any case I like this coin. 37 is a special year for me. I have many P mint 37 Mercs MS64 or better. I sure would like to have a D mint like yours to go with them...hint, hint. Should you decide this coin is not your cup of tea please PM me and we'll talk some turkey. Hope you find many more treasures during your search. Thanks for sharing the pics. Allen
avoid ebay now I noticed everything decent is going for much higher than gray sheet and people are bidding like there's no tomorrow... I agree go to a show, that's what I am saving my money for edited and yes they can remain like that the short set has some high mintage numbers in which high grade examples are everywhere
NGC and PCGS will slab any coin, regardless of age, as long as it has not been harshly cleaned. That absolutely includes Walkers and coins from the 20th century.
I think part of the fun of building a set is actually building it. Buy each coin by it self and really examine it. This allows you to be very picky on what you want. Certified or not. You might pay a little bit more when you are done but you will like it alot more then just paying a chunk for the set up front. It took me over 2 years to piece together a walker set in AU and there are still over 80% of the coins I don't have and some I probably will never get like the 21 S in AU. But evertime I open the book I look at certain coins and remember buying them. I still love the 1916 D and the 1934 D.
The short set of Walker's is my next set I am going to do once the peace dollars oare done, let us know what you decide and how it turns out.
I agree with the guys that suggested going to a show. I agree with GDJMSP's statement about NGC and PCGS grading cleaned coins, and I agree with wmsJewelers about the fun of building a set coin by coin.
Thanks all for the effort and thoughts provided in response to my question. Do not think I read a single post which was less than helpful. For that I thank everyone. Of course there is no wrong way to collect coins unless you get ripped off lol. I have been checking auctions from Ebay have noticed the pcgs slabbed coins prices have been close or even exceeds their price guide. . To me the walkers are the most beautiful coins the mint has ever produced at least during my time . I can still remember when I was in my dads store years ago looking at all those Walker halves he would have in the cash register. You could even get silver dollars at the bank. Silver dollars were a bit scares but you could get them. My have things changed. Coins shows are very few and far in between in my Area. Even the closest coin deal is like a 100 miles from here. So I am not sure a dealer or coin show would be a practical option for me. This is the main reason I am considering slabbed coins. I do like the idea of collecting one coin at a time even if it is a little more expensive. To me it seems the slow chase instead of the quick kill would add a little more personality to the collection. As pointed out on this forum before, one must exercise patient among other things. Think I wil ll try that..
Another thing you might want to watch for is the open forum on this site. You might be able to find some coins on there for your set from one of the other members of Coin Talk. Also you can post once a week what you are looking for and if some one has one you need that might offer it to you.
Allen and the others beat me to it. A coin show is your best bet. Like others said, putting the set together yourself will give you more satisfaction than buy a set. I really think it would be worth your while to attend a coin show. Check www.coinshows.com to find coin shows in your area. You may have to travel to attend a coin show, maybe even stay overnight, but you will probably be glad you did.
I agree again. I travel 100+ miles to get to shows several times a year, and its well worth it. 95% of the time its the only way I'll shop for coins.
Except with some Bust Halves that I have seen, they can be very lenient on some series. I could be very wrong though, but a cleaned Bust Half dollar or so will have more tendency to slab, than a cleaned Walking Liberty Half IMHO. I could be wrong, as I am not an expert like yourself in this field. bama guy, that Mercury dime pic posted is a very good example on how to tell a cleaned coin from a nice one like that. Look for the natural luster, and to be able to notice it and tell the difference from natural and unnatural, look at a lot of coins. You can check out Heritage to see many pics of nice coins, to help you get a general idea on coins and luster. Best of luck, and I look forward to seeing some pics of some nice coins you get in the future. Phoenix
