Feb 18-19, 2002, The Benson Collection Part 2, Sale 13
Lot 1580
1893 Isabella Quarter
Dollar. PCGS graded MS-65. Sharply struck and with magnificent blue
and rose toning on both sides. A no nonsense gem that is about as perfect as a
collector could hope to find.
Estimated Value $1,800-2,000.
Lot 1581
1893 Isabella Quarter
Dollar. PCGS graded MS-64. Sharply struck by the dies and without
any signs of toning. Abundant luster and well preserved, with few signs of
handling. A classic example for the numismatist of this near gem grade.
Estimated Value $650-750.
Lot 1582
1893 Isabella Quarter
Dollar. NGC graded MS-64. Excellent quality for the grade, the
surfaces are toned with lilac and gold over luster, and the strike is sharp.
Nearly a gem, but a much lower cost, and certainly with all the eye appeal one
could want.
Estimated Value $650-700.
Lot 1583
1893 Isabella Quarter
Dollar. AU-55. This one has been cleaned and retoned with vibrant
blue and gold hues on both sides. We note a touch of wear on the high points.
Still quite appealing, and the reflective surfaces were called "proof" when it
was purchased in 1944.
Estimated Value $250-300.
From the Benson
collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on February 26, 1944 for $4.00 as
"proof".
Lot 1584
1921 Alabama Half Dollar,
with 2 x 2. NGC graded MS-66. A superb, totally white frosty mint
gem. One of the most difficult to obtain commems in such high grade.
Estimated Value $3,000-3,500.
Lot 1585
1921 Alabama Half Dollar,
with 2 x 2. PCGS graded MS-64 Premium Quality. Mint fresh luster in
the fields and toned with splashes of gold and light blue on the obverse, the
reverse with a central yellow drop on the eagle. Only 6,006 of these were
struck, and few remain in high grade like this.
Estimated Value $700-800.
Lot 1586
1921 Alabama Half Dollar,
with 2 x 2. MS-63. Lightly toned over luster.
Estimated Value
$350-450.
Lot 1587
1921 Alabama Half Dollar,
no 2 x 2. PCGS graded MS-64 Premium Quality. Good luster under the
tawny blue and hazy gold toning. Well struck by the dies, and we note a
scattering of ticks on both sides.
Estimated Value $600-700.
Lot 1588
1921 Alabama Half Dollar,
no 2 x 2. NGC graded MS-64. Strong luster and with beautiful
peripheral toning. Minor ticks and some weakness on the center of the eagle, as
usual.
Estimated Value $450-550.
Lot 1589
1921 Alabama Half Dollar,
no 2 x 2. PCGS graded AU-58. Glorious toning, with a hint of rub.
Estimated Value $125-150.
From the Benson collection and purchased
as part of a type set of Commemorative half dollars from Ira S. Reed on
February 15, 1944 for $135.00.
Lot 1590
1936 Albany Half Dollar.
PCGS graded MS-66. Satiny luster and delicately toned on both sides.
Some deeper gold at the edges. Another very clean coin for the grade.
Estimated Value $300-400.
From the Benson collection and purchased
as part of a type set of Commemorative half dollars from Ira S. Reed on
February 15, 1944 for $135.00.
Lot 1591
1936 Albany Half Dollar.
NGC graded MS-66. Golden toning on both sides and quite lustrous.
Estimated Value $300-400.
Lot 1592
1936 Albany Half Dollar.
NGC graded MS-66. Flecks of gold toning on both sides and
exceptionally clean surfaces. Glowing luster in the fields, and nicely struck
on the beaver.
Estimated Value $300-400.
Lot 1593
1936 Albany Half Dollar (4
pieces). Each of these grades MS-66 or better. We are proud to offer
a small hoard of superbly toned original commemorative half dollars.
Coins from this group include the original cardboard holder which was used to
ship the coins safely through the mail, and if the coins were left in these
holders, as seen here, magnificent toning slowly appeared on the surfaces.
The cardboard holder grades Very Fine or better, and shows few signs of wear
or handling. Remarkably, these commemorative half dollars were put away
since their time of issue, kept in the cardboard holders and allowed to tone
without interruption for decades. Today we have stunning deep gold and flecks
of darker hues on one side of each coin in this lot, the other side is toned
with the familiar "tab" toning from the cardboard tab that held the coin in
place. A small amount of sulfur in the cardboard holder (probably part of the
paper making process) causes silver coins to tone, as well as exposure to the
air (just look at any silver pieces around the house, and try keeping them
bright). Over many years, magnificent colors can appear, as seen on the Benson
coins or on these commemorative half dollars, and these "toned" coins can bring
significant premiums depending on the organization and vibrancy of the toning
hues.
Estimated Value $1,800-UP.
Lot 1594
1937 Antietam Half Dollar.
PCGS graded MS-65. Gold and green toning around the periphery of
this one, with good luster beneath, and steel gray at the centers. We note one
reeding mark in the field near McClellan's nose. A beauty.
Estimated Value
$450-550.
From the Benson collection and purchased as part of a type set
of Commemorative half dollars from Ira S. Reed on February 15, 1944 for
$135.00.
Lot 1595
1935 Arkansas Half Dollar.
PCGS graded MS-65. Vibrant green and gold around the edge, with all
the colors especially vibrant. More toning on the obverse than the reverse,
where we note a bright white center, and radiant peripheral hues. In an old
green insert PCGS holder. Color photo.
Estimated Value $500-UP.
Lot 1596
1935 Arkansas Half Dollar.
PCGS graded MS-65. Bathed in lilac toning over luster, with darker
gold at the edge. A few chatter marks on the Indian from a higher grade, but
Liberty's face is generally mark free.
Estimated Value $120-140.
From the Benson collection and purchased as part of a type set of
Commemorative half dollars from Ira S. Reed on February 15, 1944 for $135.00.
Lot 1597
1935-D Arkansas Half
Dollar. NGC graded MS-65. Vivid rainbow tones encircle the
peripheries on both sides.
Estimated Value $300-400.
Lot 1598
1936 Arkansas Half Dollar.
NGC graded MS-65. This one appears to have the original toning that
is seen from the holder of issue, as 10 times examination notes the crackle
surface in the gold hues. Deeper at the rims, and lighter silver at the
centers. Not that well struck up on the central reverse, as usual.
Estimated Value $150-200.
Lot 1599
1937 Arkansas Half Dollar.
NGC graded MS-66. Lilac and gold toning on both sides, and super
clean surfaces. Excellent luster and well struck, all one could hope for in
this issue.
Estimated Value $1,250-1,500.
Lot 1600
1937-D Arkansas Half
Dollar. NGC graded MS-66. Hazy gold toning over lustrous fields and
devices. Sharply struck and rarely found this nice. An impressive example for
the specialist in this series.
Estimated Value $1,250-1,500.