Guess the grade--1944-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar NGC

Danke

 

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From the photos it could be anywhere between AU to MS. There seems to be a lot of chatter on the high points so I'll guess AU58.

 

Paul, for me, both sets of images appear too light/bright to allow for a good inspection of the surfaces. However, I'm still at MS65 minimum (with 66 being no surprise), based on what I can see. And it looks very attractive to me.

 

After looking at the heritage pics, I would say NGC gave it either a '65 or a '66. If I we're using ANA standards the coin would not grade over MS-64 due to the weak strike. But I'm not using the ANA standards. Beautiful coin by the way! :thumb:

 

Great looking Walker. This is a tough date for strike, as others have said so I think NGC would account for that and give it a 66. Very clean in the fields. Hard to see how many hits are on some of the high points which might bring the grade down a bit.

The type of Heritage photo, though, is a bit of a giveaway. They generally only use the premium type photos for higher grade coins.

 

No, I cropped those from the slab photos to hide the grade.

 

Viewing Lehigh's pics, I guessed 66. Upon looking at the Heritage pics, I'm thinking 65. Either way, pretty coin.

 

I like your photos better anyway. I'm sticking with 66 but admit that this could be anywhere from 58-66. I don't think NGC would go to 67 with this strike. PCGS would probably stand on 65. I have a 44-S in PCGS 66 with a slightly better strike but it doesn't have the appeal of this coin.

 

My observations are different with respect to NGC vs. PCGS grading of Walkers.

 

Yes, I agree Mark, I could not believe that some were calling this an AU58. I'd be completely surprised if this came back under MS65 .

 

I voted AU58 but I'm really a newbie at grading. A lot of wear on the leg.

 

You are mistaking striking weakness for wear. It's often difficult to tell the difference, but other areas and attributes of the coin can serve as good clues. For example, the luster and cleanliness of the surfaces on this coin have the appearance of a mint state example. Also, other areas that would typically show wear on an AU piece do not look worn.

 

That's why I'm here, to learn.

 

Areas on the obverse which will typically indicate wear would be the Flag, the Sun and Rays and the Sandal. These areas are "pristine" on this coin. IMHO

 

So how long do we have to wait for an answer?

 

I don't usually look at those areas for signs of wear - I look at Liberty's breasts and on her thigh, as well as the eagle's breast and upper left (to viewer's right) wing area.

 

You've convinced me. I originally voted AU-58 but I'm really doubting it now. I didn't take into account the possibility of a weak strike, which is most likely since the fields are so clean.

What bothers me is all the nicks all over the weakly struck areas. I would think a high MS example would just be primarily smooth. Not all nicked up. I'll change my vote to MS-63, since there is some allowance for significant damage, at that level. If it's over MS-64 I'll be really surprised and disappointed to be honest.

 

My guess is that some of what you are seeing as nicks, are in fact mint made flaws, which are not uncommon on Walkers. If it's graded MS64 or lower I will be surprised and disappointed.