Anyone who is considering collecting a complete set of Walking Liberty half dollars (1916-47) should take a good, hard look at the first decade of the series. Collectors can expect to pay thousands of dollars for Walking Liberty halves with several date-and-mintmark combinations in About Uncirculated or low Mint State, especially the 1921 issues from all three mints. (This respected coin’s obverse design is so magnificent that it has been used on silver American Eagles since their 1986 inception.)
Those looking for a type coin can find many affordable options later in the series, including the 1937 issue from Philadelphia, which can be found for about $100 in low Mint State. Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) recently received a purported example of this coin. Although it has the correct weight, it was struck in copper and nickel instead of the expected 90-percent silver. The use of these less dense metals resulted in the coin being too thick. In addition, its surface is too grainy and has a matte-like appearance, with a more satiny luster than genuine examples exhibit.
Genuine 1937 Walking Liberty half dollar
Counterfeit 1937 Walking Liberty half dollar
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