Hand cut AW VS No AW 1 1

[Ohnoimbroke]

I just came across something I never seen and a little confused. "Hand cut" wouldn't that mean Details ? Or would it be post mint damage ? No AW obviously means no iniciles. What coin is more rare ? Can someone please explain. thanks in advance 

[Sandon]

   The 1944-D "hand cut 'AW'" half dollar is a die variety for this particular issue that resulted from the designer's initials being strengthened in the die, so all of the coins struck from the die had this feature. It is not post-mint damage to a specific coin. NGC VarietyPlus describes the variety as follows:

1944 D HAND CUT "AW" 50C MS

Cross Reference

Fivaz-Stanton (NEW): FS-901

Diagnostics

A worn reverse die on which the designer's monogram had been lost through erosion or polishing was crudely repaired with hand engraved letters.

Comments

This sort of repair is rather common on proof dies but is seldom seen on dies for circulating coins.

   Apparently, only the 1944-D issue is known with this feature. The "No AW", which is known on a few different issues, resulted from overpolished dies that were not strengthened to restore the initials. See Walking Liberty Half Dollars (1916-1947) | VarietyPlus® | NGC (ngccoin.com).