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Putting Together a PCGS MS64 Short Set of Walking Liberty
Halves
Putting together a short set of PCGS MS64 Walking Liberty
Half Dollars should give you a set you can be proud of. For the purposes of
this article, we will define the short set as 1941 through 1947, including all 3
mints. Some will argue that a short set may include more dates, but that is the
beauty of coin collecting. You can define what you want to collect. The set
that runs from 1941 through 1947 is convenient from the perspective that is
contains 20 coins and represents all the dates of Walking Liberty Halves from
the decade of the 40s. (Technically, a decade starts with year 1, or 1941)
One thing you will notice right away from the chart below,
is that compared to mintages of today, the mintages Walking Liberty Halves are
quite low. And they are, especially for the D and S coins. But despite
having low mintages, putting together a set in MS64 condition is quite feasible
and not as expensive as you might think. A complete set might cost you
$1500-$2000. It may even be easier to obtain these coins than a MS63 set as
there are far more certified coins in MS64 and MS65 than in MS63.
When looking to complete this set, you might be tempted to
buy the coins you find first, which might typically be P coins. I would
instead encourage you to start looking for the tougher coins first. Similarly
to the MS63 set, these would be 1941-D, 1942-D, 1943-D and 1944-D. As you do
this, you are likely to come across better examples of the more common dates and
you can then afford to be pickier.
Below is a chart for each coin in this series in MS64 and
my opinion as to the difficulty in obtaining each one, the estimated certified
PCGS population and what you might expect to pay for each coin. Oddly enough,
while this set will be more expensive to put together, it will be easier to find
these coins at this grade rather than MS63. Far more examples exist in the
middle grades (MS64 and MS65). Again, this set will just be a more expensive to
put together.
Good luck on your challenge on completing this set.
|
Date/Mint |
Mintage |
Notes |
Est |
Cost |
|
|
|
|
Pop |
Cost |
|
1941 P |
24,207,412 |
In MS64, this coin is readily available. Look for bright coins with a
good strike as survivors will vary in quality. May have scratches that
are quite noticeable for this grade so look for high-end MS64 coins. |
Over 3200 examples have been certified |
$60 |
|
1941 D |
11,248,400 |
In MS64, this coin is readily available. Look for bright, well struck
coins as most coins from Denver in this year are not well struck. May
have scratches in this grade, so look for better examples of MS64 coins. |
Over 2000 examples have been certified by PCGS |
$85 |
|
1941 S |
8,098,000 |
Despite a lower mintage than the other 1941 coins, in MS64, it is
readily available. It will cost more though than the other 1941 coins.
Most, if not all coins will be weakly struck, especially near the center
of the obverse. The coin below was certified MS64 by PCGS. |
Over 3200 Certified examples |
$250-300 |
 |
|
1942 P |
47,839,120 |
This coin has the 2nd highest mintage in the short set, and
as such is readily available in MS64 condition. You can be picky as
there are plenty to go around. Most examples are nice, so do not
blindly buy the first one you see. |
Over 5,100 examples in MS64 have been certified |
$60 |
|
1942 D |
10,973,800 |
In Mint State, including MS64, this is either the rarest or 2nd
rarest of the short set (The 1943-D and 1942-D are extremely close in
certified MS64 examples). Still, it is readily available. Many coins
will exhibit weakness in the right hand, skirt lines on the left thigh
and head. The two coins below were certified MS64 by PCGS. |
Only 1700 examples exist in MS64 |
$100 |
 |
 |
|
1942 S |
12,708,000 |
The 1942-S is very rare in high grades (MS66 and above), but in MS64,
it should not be difficult to obtain. Coins in this grade will
typically exhibit a weak strike. Most, if not all examples will be
flatly struck in the center of the obverse. Libertys Head and eagles
breast will be softly struck. |
Over 3,200 examples to choose from |
$110 |
|
1943 P |
53,190,000 |
The 1943 is the highest mintage of the short set. While it has the
highest mintage, it comes in 2nd place for the number of MS64
certified examples. When looking at coins in this grade, there are many
to choose from, so you can be picky and find a well struck coin. |
Over 5,600 examples certified in MS64 slabs |
$60 |
|
1943 D |
11,346,000 |
Unlike other coins of similar mintage, the 1943-D has a smaller amount
of coins certified in this grade. Decent strike coins can be found but
like others, some examples can be dull. This coin will cost you more
than other dates and mints, and may be the toughest to find in MS64,
just like MS63 |
Slightly over 1,700 examples of MS64 coins have been certified |
$90 |
|
1943 S |
13,450,000 |
In this grade, this coin is about as available as the 1942-S. But,
like the 1942-S, it is usually a weaker struck coin. |
Over 3,200 examples have been certified as MS64 by PCGS |
$80 |
|
1944 P |
28,206,000 |
As with other Philadelphia coins, this date has high mintage and is
readily available. Some coins will be lightly struck so you may want to
closely examine examples to find a better struck coin. The coin
below was certified MS64 by PCGS. |
Over 4,000 examples have been certified by PCGS as MS64 |
$60 |
 |
|
1944 D |
9,769,000 |
Like the 1943-D, there is a small population of MS64 graded coins, but
there are more than the 1943-D. With patience, you should be able to
find one. Quality of strike will be similar to the 1943-D, but sharp
strikes can be found if you have the time |
Over 2,400 examples have been certified by PCGS as MS64 |
$70 |
|
1944 S |
8,904,000 |
Despite a lower mintage than the 1944-D, there are more certified
examples in the MS64 group, just like the MS63 group. This anomaly
dramatically reverses itself in higher grades |
Nearly 4,000 examples have been certified. |
$90 |
|
1945 P |
31,502,000 |
Another plentiful P mint coin. This coin should be easily
obtainable in MS64. Bold and full strikes are available so do not
settle for the 1st MS64 you see |
Nearly 5,500 examples have been certified in MS64 condition |
$60 |
|
1945 D |
9,966,800 |
Mintage similar to 1944-D but more MS64 coins to go around. Should be
easy to obtain. Unlike other D coins before it, most examples of this
date and mint should be bold to full strikes. |
Over 3,400 examples have been certified as MS64 by PCGS |
$60 |
|
1945 S |
10,156,000 |
Almost a 1000 more examples available in M64 than its D
counterpart. But strike will be a little weaker |
Over 4,300 certified examples |
$60 |
|
1946 P |
12,118,000 |
The 1946 P is the second lowest mintage of the P coins in the short
set. But that does not make it rare as its mintage is still higher than
many of the D and S coins. As such, examples should be readily
available. Coins will typically be boldly or fully struck. |
Over 3,800 examples have been certified by PCGS |
$60 |
|
1946 D |
2,151,000 |
Despite its low mintage compared to other dates/mints, this coin
actually has more certified examples available than the 1943 P, and in
fact, this date has more examples certified than almost all others in
the short set. Odd. Even with higher certified examples than the P,
expect to pay more for this example. Many coins will have a soft strike
so hold out for better struck coins. |
Over 6,000 MS64 certified examples |
$60 |
|
1946 S |
3,724,000 |
Despite a lower mintage than many other S coins, it is slightly more
available in certified MS64 grade. While not the worst struck coin in
the series, most examples will exhibit poor strike. |
Over 4,000 examples have been certified. |
$60 |
|
1947 P |
4,094,000 |
The lowest mintage of all Philadelphia coins in the set. The price
will somewhat reflect that, but many certified coins exist. Unlike
other P coins, this one is typically not as well struck as other P
coins. |
Over 4,000 examples have been certified in MS64 |
$70 |
|
1947 D |
3,900,600 |
Despite its lower mintage, enough examples exist that finding a MS64
should not be a problem. Strike is better than the 1947 P counterpart
and examples exist of well struck coins. Expect to pay a little more
for this coin than for others of similar mintage. |
Over 4,600 examples have been certified in MS64 condition |
$60 |
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Total |
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Notes |
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Values are estimate retail prices and will vary according to market
conditions. They are also regular, for the grade. They are not PCGS +
Prices |
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Keith Scott has been a collector for over 30 years. His website has
US coins for sale. He also writes
Coin Collecting Articles for fun. Visit his websites for a history of US coins,
metal market updates and news about your favorite coins.
Want to discuss the Walking Liberty Half? Join the coin forum.
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