Just completed my Walker set, all circulated with 3 BU's in the 1940's. My question is are Walkers circulated pre 1921 graded differently than those after 1921? Looking to upgrade my set especially 1916-P, 1919-P and the 1921-S and wanted to make sure if the Vf-Ef's are accurateley graded.
I think you may be confusing Walking Liberty halves with Standing Liberty quarters. The halves had the same design from start to finish, so grading standards are uniform for the series. However, the quarters went through 2 design modifications during their brief (1916-1930) lifetime-- first, when Liberty's bare breast was covered up with chain mail in 1917, and second when the date was recessed in 1925 to keep it from wearing away so quickly.
Strike vs. wear can be a tough one. In all honesty, I still get confused. Key dates are often graded differently than the more common dates in most series. Date/mintmarks known for weak strikes are definitely graded differently than those that are common with full strikes.
I am quite sure the 1916-1917 OBV are graded easier since theyre rarer. Also all 1921 issues and the 1938-d. Its like the CC morgans, more leniency when graded.
umm, not exactly. They are indeed graded differently, but it's because the skirt lines are weaker on the pre-1922 issues and it's noted in Photograde that they are graded differently.
This is a perfect illustration of what I had said. The skirt lines are weaker on the pre-1921 issues (as seen on this 1918) and not of as much use for grading as on the post-1920 issues. These coins are both the same grade, VF-20. Thanks for illustrating my point.
