1942 Walking Liberty Half Dollar--Struck on a Quarter Planchet--MS-62 (PCGS).6.22 grams. This is one of the most desirable examples of this rare wrong planchet error type of which we aware, primarily due to the manner in which the quarter planchet was aligned between the half dollar dies. The planchet was flush with the bottom of the obverse die with the result that this coin features a full date with all four digits clear. Interestingly, and to illustrate the significance of this feature, the three Walking Liberty half dollars struck on quarter planchets featured in the 2009 reference <em>Worlds Greatest Mint Errors</em> by Mike Byers are either undated (one coin) or display only the tops of the date digits (two coins). On the other hand, the alignment of the reverse is such that the mintmark area is off the planchet, leaving open the possibility that this error could be a product of the Philadelphia, Denver or San Francisco mints, all three of which produced half dollars in 1942. All design features that are present on this piece are sharply to fully defined, the surfaces with splashes of copper-russet patina to otherwise dominant golden-gray toning. Satiny in texture and smooth in hand, a bit more vibrancy to the luster would likely have resulted in a Choice Mint State grade from PCGS. Walking Liberty half dollars of all dates struck on quarter planchets are exceedingly rare, research conducted by Saul Teichman suggesting that only about 14 different examples are known. The following dates are represented in Teichmans census: (1) 1917 or 1947 (only the very top of the date is discernible); (2) 1941; (5) 1942; (2) 1943; (2) 1944; and (2) undated. The present example is one of several highlights of the extensive Mint error offerings in the John Whitney Walter Collection, and it is sure to see spirited bidding at auction. Special thanks to Saul Teichman for providing us with census and provenance information relating to this significant Mint error.From the John Whitney Walter Collection. Earlier ex Schornstein; Herbert I. Melnicks sale of the New York Collection, July 1983, lot 743; our (Bowers and Merenas) Bebee Collection sale, August 1987, lot 2707. Bowers and Merena lot tag included.
