Owner Comments:
The 1945 No "AW" Walker is the coin that got me started collecting Walking Liberty Half Dollars with varieties. I cherrypicked a lightly-cleaned, AU No "AW" from a local pawn shop. Figuring that my No "AW" would not grade, I asked a fellow registry member if I could make an offer on an extra he had, and he kindly accepted.
This variety (actually a die state) is the product of an over-polished die. Cherrypickers' Guide lists this as a very rare die variety with only 9 to 16 in existence. I have seen quite a few of these for sale on auction sites (easily more than 16), but always for a ridiculous price. The No "AW" is also seen on many proof 1941 Walkers, a few 1918-D Walkers, and, apparently, very few 1943-S Walkers.
A total of 11 have been certified by NGC with the highest at an MS66, two at MS64, and three at MS63.