Lot 2818
1921-D Liberty Walking Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-64 PQ. Well struck with undistrubed satiny mint surfaces that are creamy white in appearance. A very choice example that is Premium Quality for the grade. We suspect that this beauty will end up in a MS-65 holder. The minting of all coins save for the newly mandated silver dollars was way down in 1921, due to a short but severe recession which set in following the end of the World War. Nearly all 1921 coins from the three mints were struck in the early months. After that, the demand for additional circulation strikes ended; the massive quantities issued 1916-18 were more than sufficient to meet the reduced requirements of the post-war economy. Pop 84; 33 finer with 30 in 65, 3 in 66 (PCGS # 6584) .
Historical reference: President Warren Gamaliel Harding (1921-23) was a decent man of reasonable talents who took office the year this half dollar was made. Said one historian, "Harding held poker games in the White House twice a week. And whenever he got a chance, he sneaked away to a burlesque show. The ladies loved him; he returned the favor. These pastimes seemed enough for the man; they helped him bear up in his eminent role and keep him from wanting to do anything. Another saving grace was that Harding neither thought nor spoke clearly enough for anyone to figure out what he was saying. He couldn't rally the troops and get them behind his ideas; he had none. And even if he tried, they wouldn't comprehend him."
H.L. Mencken, the social comentator and political gadfly of the twenties, preserved a bit of what he called "Gamalielese," just to hold it up to ridicule:
"I would like government to do all it can to mitigate, then, in understanding in mutuality of interest, in concern for the common good, our tasks will be solved."
The sentence is so idiotic and meaningless, it could have come from the mouths of any of our recent presidents. But the crowds seemed to like the way Harding delivered it. He said it with such solid conviction, it "was like a blacksmith bringing down a hammer on an egg," says Mencken.
Estimated Value $14,000 - 15,000.
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| Realized $16,675 |
