Set Description
The presentation of this set is done in a way that utilizes the Coin Description area to provide some general information for each date in the series-from my personal perspective and observations after years and years of looking at Walkers almost daily. Specifically the average Strike quality for each date, the predominant Luster seen for the issue and also the Rank of Scarcity in MS and Gem MS for each of the 20 coins ( population determined as the sum of both major grading services).<br /><br />Conversely, this Set Description area is being utilized to make comments on each of the coins of my "Personal Set." I hope that the reader may enjoy the photos, gain some insight into what I see when I view these remarkable pieces of art and also some useful information of what to look for and expect as one may try and build their own set.<br /><br />1941: If I were trying for the highest registry point set I could assemble then this MS66 would be replaced by an MS67. Yet I love this coin, in fact, the blown-up image is the screensaver on my computer. Bold strike, warm, earthy rainbow toning and no distractions to keep me from drinking it in--eye candy and a permanent resident of my set.<br /><br />1941-D: as with most coins that I have added in this set, the strike is wonderful--yet falls just short with only a seperate thumb missing. The lacvk of distinct thumb is more than made up for by the soft powdery blue exhibited in the fields of this coin.<br /><br />1941-S: what can I say about this coin? Over 2 1/2 years in the hunt for a suitable specimen and finally! A perfect compromise for the hardest date and also most poorly struck date of the short set. I found a coin whose starburst luster and dazzling metal flowlinesare so riveting that I hardly ever notice the typical flatness in the obverse center. A well-struck reverse only adds icing to the cake.<br /><br />1942: The first MS67 Walker I purchased. I'm not a complainer about grade-if this coin were graded as higher than it is I couldn't have afforded it, however I must say in fairness to the coin itself--it is nearly flawless !! Dazzling bright surfaces with flowlines radiating outward, supreme strike with every detail visible and nary a tick anywhere to be found. Maybe it got "just" an MS67 because it is so uniformly perfect and has no unique eye catching attribute?<br /><br />1942-D: the coin in my set is just a technical beauty with satiny luster. Clean, well struck except for the common for the date weak thumb, and amazing reverse make this a rock solid coin for the set.<br /><br />1942-S: a HUGELY under-rated coin. The 1942-S is actually a bit rarer in the highest grades than the more notorious 1941-S-yet sells for far less. My example is wonderfully pleasing and I actually paid above list price--and would do so again. The combination of its strike, luster and eye appeal-and also a die crack on the eagle's breast-make this one of the stars of my set.<br /><br />1943: another MS67 that looks almost perfect to the naked eye. Upon 20x magnification some fine hairlines are visible if the coin is tilted just at the right angle under a halogen light-- like I said almost perfect to the naked eye.<br /><br />1943-D: simply put, this coin has character. In hand the reverse demonstrates a pale rose blush and the obverse has hints of subtle color interspersed with moments of aged, rustic brown..just a great coin that makes me think of the year 1943 and how it is a lot longer ago than it was when I was a kid.<br /><br />1943-S: I stole this coin. Not physically or criminally but metaphorically. I paid 110% of list for this coin and would have paid nearly double. To hold this coin in hand and look at the toned areas with a loupe is pure delight for this coin collector and Walker lover.<br /><br />1944: Okay, a bit of confession here. This coin was purchased as an upgrade for an MS66-which I really love and still own. I was only 200 registry points behind the top ranked set for the year 1944 and figured, " I can get another #1 ranked set and upgrade my Walkers at the same time, where's the downside?"..wonderful, deep satiny luster. The photos are actually subdued on purpose because the coin has such "glow" I couldn't get a decent photo--seriously.<br /><br />1944-D: The first coin of this set that I paid 4 figures for. When it arrived I at first was taken aback by what I thought were "scratches or hairlines" in the R obverse field. Upon inspecting many other high end examples it seems as if these die polish lines are not unusual. Good thing the graders knew this and gave the coin its appropriate grade as struck at the mint.<br /><br />1944-S: Another confession--sometimes when I look at the photo of this coin I think it is unattractive..other times I look and see a distinctive coin..and yet others I see a stand out coin. Either way, I cannot deny my motives for buying it. For a poorly struck date which often has lackluster luster and a few too many dings, at least my MS66 is unique and identifiable.<br /><br />1945: Colorful, lustrous and a well struck obverse make up for the scattered chatter and weakly struck eagle's breast. I vote this coin as most likely to be replaced by an MS67, however I'm 99% sure that this coin won't be leaving my possesion even if "upgraded".<br /><br />1945-D: A 'wood grain" toned coin. The soft brown striations across the surface in no way detract from this coin's luster and brilliant strike. I've thought of upgrading to an MS67 since it is one of the more affordable dates--yet I keep getting stopped by one BIG thing, I haven't seen an MS67 of this date that I like more.<br /><br />1945-S: This is the third coin to be put in this slot- and now 99% likely to be the last. This coin obviously didn't get its lofty grade from the obverse strike. Nope, this coin dazzles with its deep, deep, deep, inner glow from a satiny luster that pours from out of unmarked fields. One of those coins that if laid in a case of 50 coins will draw your eye straight to it--that kind of glow.<br /><br />1946: My 1946 looks as if it just came out of the mint . Almost burnished looking with its starburst effect. The strike is also unreal, just a supreme example of the 1946 which may be the hardest Philly mint coin of the short set to find in this quality.<br /><br />1946-D: A fantastic coin, yet I'm pretty sure I overpaid. I was so taken with the strike, satiny luster and charm of its wispy brown wood grain streaks on the obverse that I jumped the gun with an offer a few hundred more than I should have. My lament is always quickly forgotten when I'm actually holding the coin and enjoying it with my loupe, yet when I browse my set on-line or look at price guides I just have to shake my head.<br /><br />1946-S: I know you've heard it a thousand times before, but pictures don't do this coin justice. Hidden by the limits of photography are fields so deep in luster it looks laminated. The coin is amazingly proof-like in hand with an almost mirrored finish to the fields and slightly contrasting whiter devices. I scoff at other people's MS66 coins of this date..j/k.<br /><br />1947: One of the best reverse strikes I've seen. Although the eagle's breast feathers are full, they are not as deeply recessed as some common date walkers. Where this coin does stand out, and shows somewhat in the photo, is a trailing leg detail of the eagle that has feather detail from front to back and top to bottom. I use this coin for comparison purposes whenever I rate reverse strike.<br /><br />1947-D: Simply put, this coin is an MS67+ coin slumming in an MS66 slab. Dazzling luster, grabbing eye appeal, bold strike and even golden rims of subtle tone..this coin has it all
