Presented as lot 3065 in our Spring Showcase Auction Rarities Night session is a pristine, beautifully toned Walking Liberty half dollar. It is a gorgeous Superb Gem example displaying swaths and blushes of vivid multicolored toning on both sides, including emerald-green, antique copper, reddish-apricot and antique silver gray. Smartly impressed and highly lustrous, the surfaces are silky smooth and border on pristine.
One of the most common Walking Liberty half dollars in Mint State, and the most common in Gem MS-65 and higher grades, the 1946-D clearly benefitted from its production after the end of World War II in 1945. The Allied victory led to a contraction in the United States’ economy beginning in 1946 which, in turn, led to reduced demand for new circulating coinage. This reduced demand resulted in a mintage of just 2,151,000 pieces for the 1946-D – the lowest in the Walking Liberty “short set” of 1941 to 1947. The smaller mintage led to widespread hoarding on the part of dealers and speculators, who set aside large numbers of Mint State examples.
Since this issue is both well produced and well preserved, it is an outstanding type candidate for collectors of high quality U.S. Mint coinage. Most such buyers settle for a certified coin in MS-66, at which grade level the 1946-D is readily obtainable and quite affordable. Greater persistence and deeper pockets are required to pursue higher grades, however, and in PCGS MS-67+ the 1946-D is the province of the most seasoned and well-funded numismatists. Beautifully toned to match its unsurpassed technical quality, this top-of-the-pop rarity is sure to sell for a strong premium.
For more information about the Stack’s Bowers Galleries Spring 2025 Showcase auction visit StacksBowers.com. To consign your coins or paper money to one of our future sales call 800-458-4646 or email [email protected].
