Owner Comments:
Circulation strike mintage 1,786,000
According to the literature, most of the Mint State Graded Liberty Walking halves in this year/mintage have a good strike, excellent luster and eye appeal. Also, this year/mintmark begins the point at which all dates and mintmarks in Liberty Walker Half Dollars are readily available in the marketplace (although those of the 1940s are by far much more abundant than the mid-1930s according to my general impression while coin hunting, as well as the more objective census reports).
I must have been at the right place at the right time since cherrypicking for this year/mintmark paid off well, as most of the design details are sharp and clear, with a slightly satiny skin surface. There was very light wear, but only noticeable at the highest points of the design detail. Original mint luster is obvious on both the obverse and reverse in protected areas between letters. Eye appeal was very good for the grade.
On the obverse, the key/major areas of the design were excellent with approximately 70% of head and 60% of left hand details present. Almost all of the gown lines were clearly visible as is the breast outline. There were a moderate number of contact marks in the left and right fields, but no deep scratches to detract me as I saw in other examples of the 1933-S.
On the reverse, only the highest points of the Eagle are lightly worn, and only two small flat spots areas on the breast appreciated. The right wing feather tip detail is very good and the Eagle's breast and legs are well separated. The Eagle's left leg has about half of its feathers. A great find !