My Very Lucky Feeling Coin Discovery

You know that rush when an ordinary day turns into a coin collecting adventure? That’s exactly what happened during my bank run last Tuesday. I was just picking up some quarter rolls for future hunting when I spotted the teller counting out half dollars—real unicorns in my neck of the woods. That familiar tingle hit me: my “very lucky feeling” kicking in. Let me walk you through this find and what I’ve learned about handling surprise treasures like these.

The Day I Hit the Coin Jackpot

There I was, waiting in line at First National, when I noticed a tray of half dollars behind the counter. My local banks almost never have these, so I casually asked if I could buy them. Jackpot! The lot held mostly silver Kennedys with one 1996 clad, but the showstopper was a 1923-S Walker. Holding that Walking Liberty half dollar felt like finding buried treasure in plain sight. I’ll admit, I did a little happy dance in the parking lot.

Assessing My Silver Windfall

Back home under good light, that 1923-S Walker revealed its magic. The toning was richer than the others, with that perfect vintage glow. At first glance, I thought “cool old coin”—then I checked the details. Despite some flattening on Liberty’s gown stripes (common with early San Francisco strikes), it looks solidly Extra Fine. Numismedia pegs it near $990 in XF40 grade! When you score a coin like this, here’s what I recommend:

• Check wear patterns first—on Walkers, run your eye over Liberty’s head and gown details
• Notice the color and shine—coins with even, attractive toning catch collectors’ eyes
• Slip it into a protective flip immediately (I’ve learned this the hard way after scratching a ’44 Mercury dime!)

Practical Grading Tips for Rare Coins

Since this was my first coin worth grading, I dug into options without breaking the bank. Services like ICG (ask for Skip—he’s helped many collectors) or NGC usually need memberships, which stings for one submission. Here’s how I worked around it:

• Build a grading batch: Keep potential candidates together—I now have a “maybe” box ready for when I hit five coins
• Use coin show opportunities: Some events allow walk-up submissions, but call ahead—policies shift like the wind
• Borrow dealer connections: My buddy Mike at the coin shop sometimes adds my finds to his group submissions

For everyday storage, I’m partial to Whitman albums. They’re simple, affordable, and let the coins shine without fancy holders stealing the show.

Why Luck Makes Collecting Unforgettable

Finds like this 1923-S Walker are why I’ve collected since I was twelve. It’s not just the silver or value—it’s that electric moment when routine becomes remarkable. If you snag a special coin, savor the story, protect it fast, and consider grading if it’s a potential star. Whether you’ve collected for decades or just started, always check those bank trays. Your lucky moment might be coming with the next deposit slip!