Set Description:
I have always had an interest in coins but started collecting Liberty Walking Halves, seriously, in the very early Nineties. I used to collect, mostly, raw XF/AU coins of the mid to later dates, until I started getting interested in the earlier dates. Then, I restricted my acquisitions to only MS coins, because of the striking problems associated with the earlier dates. I only buy certified coins, now (NGC or PCGS only, because they are the 2 industry leaders and are both equal in quality, IMHO), Slabs are much better and safer from an investment standpoint and are also much more liquid in the marketplace.
My strategy is to start with the early, difficult dates first and, then, when I have most of them completed, I can fill out the rest of the MS later dates without too much trouble.
I collect mainly MS 64 early dates but will occasionally buy a MS 63 or MS 62 if it is really good. I don't really believe in buying coins graded any higher than MS65; except for the the middle to later dates. I think that MS 65 is usually an optimal grade, especially for the pre-1934 coins, and anything more than that is not really worth it for the slight difference in quality but large difference in price. My goal was not to be # 1 but to complete this set, in mint state......someday. Also, with choice examples representing each issue; regardless of the number on the slab.
I go for coins that have a sharp strike above all else and I am not a big fan of toning/color-I like mostly white coins. I am a cherry-picker and look for under-graded coins and you will notice this tendency in many of my descriptions. To me, this is part of the fun and, if you have the patience, it can be very rewarding.
I collect Walkers, mostly, because they are such a challenging series and differ, so much, from issue to issue (each date/mintmark has specific design characteristics that were modified over the years), which makes collecting them exciting, interesting and educational.
They are also very important from a historical aspect; enduring two World Wars and the Great Depression. They are the coins of our fathers and grandfathers.
Finally, I feel (as most others do) that Walkers have a very beautiful design from an aesthetic standpoint; that's why the Mint chose this design for their Silver Eagle bullion coin. So, that is just one more good reason to have such an affinity for Walkers. I look forward to upgrading my set in the very near future.
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