Customers ask why I don't stock many of the early Walking Liberty Halves (1916 to 1929). It's not that I don't like these dates.

The problem is I just don't agree with the grading in the marketplace, based on coins being offered to me. It appears grade slippage is at work here, with an interesting contradiction.

Dealers are willing to overgrade when selling, but not when buying, so a change in grading has not completely taken place. I do see dealers stretching buy prices for key issues.

I believe the third-party grading services have contributed to grade slippage in the Buffalo Nickel series (from Fine to AU). Let's hope that doesn't happen to Walkers, too!