Feb 18-19, 2002, The Benson Collection Part 2, Sale 13
Lot 310
1928-S. PCGS graded
MS-63. Well struck throughout with full device detail on all but the tail.
With the usual tiny dark specks on both sides, and the toning is a bit streaky.
Nice luster and surfaces, which show few signs of contact.
Estimated Value
$400-500.
From the Benson Collection and purchased on October 3, 1944
from Ira S. Reed in a set of nickels from 1913 to 1938 for $350.00.
Lot 311
1930-S. PCGS graded
MS-63. Dark flyspecks on each side but still lustrous and with some gold
toning. Scarcer than many dates.
Estimated Value $70-80.
From the
Benson Collection and purchased on October 3, 1944 from Ira S. Reed in a set of
nickels from 1913 to 1938 for $350.00.
Lot 312
1931-S. MS-65. A
well struck, brilliant gem! One for the date collector.
Estimated Value
$150-200.
Lot 313
1934-D. PCGS graded
MS-64. Minor weakness at the lower reverse. Nice luster and color, but the
usual flyspecks.
Estimated Value $150-200.
From the Benson
Collection and purchased on October 3, 1944 from Ira S. Reed in a set of
nickels from 1913 to 1938 for $350.00.
Lot 314
1936. PCGS graded
Proof 64. This is the brilliant style proof issue. Hazy toning starting to
form, and very nice for the grade. We note scattered flyspecks from time and
handling. A scarce proof issue.
Estimated Value $650-700.
From the
Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on May 1, 1944 for $42.00 as
part of a 1936 proof set.
Lot 315
1937. PCGS graded
Proof 66. Deep watery mirrors throughout, with well preserved surfaces. A
high end gem that will entice the collector to bid. We note that the reverse
die was rotated about 20 degrees counter clockwise when this was struck.
Estimated Value $850-950.
From the Benson collection and purchased
from Ira S. Reed on May 27, 1944 as part of a 1937 proof set for $15.75.
Lot 316
1937-D. 3 legged.
AU-58. A choice coin for the grade, with delicate nickel blue toning
at the rim, gold elsewhere. Sharply struck, with the curious missing foreleg on
the bison, and the diagnostic die line beneath that confirms this one is
genuine. Always popular, and usually one of the last purchased by date
collectors due to the cost.
Estimated Value $600-800.
Lot 317
1937-D. 3 legged.
ICG graded VF-25. Clean surfaces for the grade, with natural gray
tones and typical circulation marks, including a nick on the beast. Always
popular and never inexpensive.
Estimated Value $300-350.
Lot 318
A small herd of mint state
buffalos. Dates include: 1913 Type I, 1913 Type 2, 1916, 1919, 1920,
1923, 1929, 1935-S and 1938-D each grades MS-63 or better. Several have
lovely toning and all are lustrous. Lot of 9 coins.
Estimated Value
$250-350.
Lot 319
The Benson Buffalo nickel
partial set, 1935-1938-D. The balance of the Buffalo nickel collection is
within this sale, and this small group remains together and will be sold in the
original National Pages album. Dates range from 1935 through 1938-D, and
each coin is MS-63 or better and all are toned with lovely colors, some of
which have developed minor flyspecks over time. Lot of 10 coins.
In
consistent fashion Dr. Benson placed all of his coins in National Pages which
were produced by Wayte Raymond. These coin albums are made of cardboard, with
properly coin sized holes for each series with dates and mintmarks noted below
each coin opening. Further, the albums have acetate slides, which held the
coins in place. What is important to note, is that the cardboard used in these
albums contains traces of sulfur which reacts copper, nickel and silver coins
causing them to tone with a dazzling array of colors over decades. It is
important will all similar holders that employ slides that cover the coins that
the slides do not come into contact with the coins when they are moved back and
forth to insert, remove or straighten a coin in the holder, as "slide marks"
can occur on the highest devices of the coin, and these slide marks can reduce
the grade of a mint state coin by a few points. We make a point of this because
great care was used by Dr. Benson when he inserted the coins, and similar great
care was used by Larry Goldberg when he removed the coins, making sure no coin
came into contact with a moving slide in the National Pages album. Hence, the
mint state and proof coins are in precisely the same condition as when they
purchased in the 1940s, aside from the spectacular toning. Viewing these coins
is stepping back in time to the way coin collecting used to be.
Estimated
Value $175-225.
Lot 320
A group of Buffalo nickels
from the Benson collection. This group includes the following: 1913 Type
I, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1930, 1934 and 1937. Each grades from MS-60 to
63. We note the usual small specks on each side, as these were all stored
in the same album for many years together. The 1937 has some rim corrosion. Lot
of 9 coins.
Estimated Value $200-250.
From the Benson Collection and
purchased on October 3, 1944 from Ira S. Reed in a set of nickels from 1913 to
1938 for $350.00.
Lot 321
A group of Buffalo nickels
from the Benson collection. This group includes the following: 1913-S
Type I, 1928-D, 1929, 1929-D, 1929-S and 1931-S. Each grades from MS-60 to
63. We note the usual specks on each coin from album storage over many
years in a humid environment. A few better dates in this lot, take a look. Lot
of 6 coins.
Estimated Value $150-200.
From the Benson Collection and
purchased on October 3, 1944 from Ira S. Reed in a set of nickels from 1913 to
1938 for $350.00.