My Very Lucky Coin Hunting Adventure

I never expected to find treasure during a routine bank run, but that’s the magic of coin collecting—sometimes luck just drops in your lap. While picking up some quarters, I noticed a teller counting a stack of half dollars, which I rarely see around here. On a whim, I asked if I could swap for them, and bingo! They handed over the lot. Turned out most were silver, making this my luckiest score in years.

The Unforgettable Haul

That handful of halves held mostly silver beauties, but one coin made my heart skip: a 1923-S Walking Liberty. The others were typical 90% silver issues with just one 1996 clad intruder. Cradling that ’23-S felt electric—its worn patina told a century of stories, and despite the years, it kept strong details. Walkers always catch my eye, but this one? Pure hunting gold.

Assessing the Star Coin

After studying it under my loupe, I’d call that ’23-S Walker a solid Extra Fine. Liberty’s gown showed flatness in the stripes (typical wear), but her head and legs stayed crisp. Early San Francisco Walkers often have weak strikes, so finding one with this much detail feels like winning the lottery. Current guides suggest it might bring $990 in XF40 grade. Here’s what stuck with me after examining it:

• Weak strikes plague early Walkers—decent detail means you’ve hit the jackpot
• That natural toning? It’s not just pretty—it adds value when even and untouched
• Watch for nicks or scratches (I call them “claw marks”)—handle the edges like they’re eggshells

This whole experience taught me to check every coin twice. You never know when a sleeper might surprise you.

Grading Tips for Valuable Finds

Holding a potential $1,000 coin, I wrestled with grading—something I’d avoided since most of my finds aren’t worth the hassle. After chatting with seasoned collectors, here’s the real-world advice I gathered:

• First step? Protect it! I slipped mine into a basic Whitman holder—no fancy trays that tempt handling
• For budget grading, try ICG or tag along with a dealer friend’s submission
• Big coin shows often accept walk-in submissions without memberships. Bonus: bundle 5+ coins to save
• Ask yourself: “Will I sell it?” If not, grading might wait. But for big-ticket items like this, it locks in value

I’m now setting aside a few candidates for my first submission run—maybe at the next Baltimore show.

Practical Collecting Insights

This windfall reminded me why I love this hobby. Always ask banks about odd denominations—you never know what’s hiding in their trays. Storage matters too: I stick with no-nonsense Whitman holders that let the coin speak for itself. And while silver’s hot right now, condition trumps all. I’ve been comparing my finds to grading guides more carefully lately. Honestly? This whole adventure rekindled that thrill of the chase. Lady Luck smiles on collectors who stay ready—but hey, sometimes she just hands you a freebie!