My Very Lucky Feeling: A Rare Coin Discovery Story

You know that rush when you stumble across something special? I just had one of those heart-pounding moments every collector dreams about—a true “my very lucky feeling” experience. It began during a mundane bank run. While waiting in line, I noticed a teller counting out half dollars, which almost never show up in my neck of the woods. I casually asked if I could take them off her hands, and bam! Suddenly I was holding a stack of potential history. Little did I know one of those coins would make my palms sweat.

The Coins I Found

Most were 90% silver halves—already a sweet find for a metals guy like me. But then I spotted her: a 1923-S Walking Liberty half dollar glowing with that perfect old-silver patina. Next to the lone 1996 clad coin in the batch, this beauty stood out like a queen among peasants. Finding this in a random bank haul? That’s the kind of coin roll hunting magic you replay in your head for weeks.

Assessing the 1923-S: Condition and Value

At first I thought, “Nice details, but worn.” Then my loupe told a different story. Sure, Liberty’s gown stripes showed flattening, typical for VG grade. But here’s what I learned: early San Francisco Walkers like this ’23-S often have weak strikes, making high-grade examples rare as hen’s teeth. After checking recent sales, I nearly dropped my magnifier—in XF40 condition, this could fetch around $990! Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d hold a coin whispering “four figures.”

• Always check under bright light—weak strikes can fool you into underestimating a coin’s true grade
• When you spot a key date like this in circulation, treat it as suspect #1 until proven otherwise

Practical Grading Advice and Next Steps

Since this baby might pay my mortgage, I immediately sleeved it in a trusty Whitman holder—no way I’m risking fingerprints or “claw marks” (we’ve all been there!). Grading’s my next hurdle. As a first-timer, the process feels intimidating, so here’s my game plan for fellow newbies:

• Got just one big-ticket item? Ask a dealer friend to piggyback on their submission—saves membership fees with services like ICG
• At coin shows, some graders accept walk-ins if you bring at least five coins total
• Start a “maybe” pile for borderline coins—you’ll thank yourself when a star player shows up

Still deciding whether to grade it myself, but either way, slabbing isn’t just about cash—it’s about preserving stories like this one.

Final Reflections on Luck and Learning

This whole ride taught me that luck shines brightest when you’re paying attention. Because I asked about those halves instead of rushing out, I turned a boring errand into a collector’s fairy tale. And yeah—it humbled me. I almost dismissed this coin as “just another Walker.” Now? I research every find like it’s hiding secrets. So keep looking, friends. That next heart-thumping discovery might be waiting behind a bank counter, in your grandpa’s attic, or anywhere coins gather dust. Your lucky moment’s out there—I’ll bet my best loupe on it.