Feb 18-19, 2002, The Benson Collection Part 2, Sale 13
Lot 1693
1926-S Oregon Trail Half
Dollar. PCGS graded MS-64. Rainbow toning around the periphery, and
quite alluring.
Estimated Value $100-125.
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 1694
1936 Oregon Trail Half
Dollar (2 pieces). These each grade MS-65 or better, and include the
original card mailer of issue which grades Good. The two coins have tab
toning on the reverse, while the obverses are toned a more even gray color.
Flecks of rich color at the rims, and these are delightfully original. One of
the paper tabs is missing the right side. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value
$500-600.
Lot 1695
1936-S Oregon Trail Half
Dollar. NGC graded MS-67. Hazy gray tones over luster, with deeper
hues at the edge. Exceptional surfaces, especially on the devices. Magnificent
quality.
Estimated Value $500-600.
Lot 1696
1937-D Oregon Trail Half
Dollar. ICG graded MS-68. Crackle gold and green toning on a few
areas, with iridescent red and gold at the edge. A stunning gem that shows
virtually no signs of contact.
Estimated Value $500-750.
Lot 1697
1938 PDS Oregon Trail Half
Dollar Set with the original Cardboard holder. The coins each grade
MS-66 or better. Each is toned with magnificent colors on the obverse,
which were face down in the holders, and the reverse sides were up, so each
reverse has the familiar tab toning. Never dipped or cleaned, these superb
coins were put away at the time of issue, and have remained in their original
holders all these years. The holder itself is included, and it grades
Fine. Remember, only 6,005 sets were issued as the commemorative boom from
1936 slowed way down by 1938. Few were saved, and very few have come down to us
in such superb condition. Lot of 3 coins.
Estimated Value $750-UP.
Lot 1698
1938 PDS Oregon Trail Half
Dollar Set with the original Cardboard holder. The coins each grade
MS-66 or better. Each is toned with magnificent colors on both sides, some
were obverse down, others reverse down, the "up" side has the familiar tab
toning while the other side is more evenly toned. Never dipped or cleaned,
these superb coins were put away at the time of issue, and have remained in
their original holders all these years. The holder itself is included, and
it grades Fine. Truly an opportunity not to be missed by commemorative half
dollar specialists. Lot of 3 coins.
Estimated Value $750-UP.
Lot 1699
1938 PDS Oregon Trail Half
Dollar Set. Each coin in this original set is PCGS graded MS-66. Premium
Quality. The set is perfectly matched, with all showing a satiny haze and
are basically untoned. Seldom found this nice. Lot of 3 coins.
Estimated
Value $600-700.
Lot 1700
1939 Oregon Trail Half
Dollar. NGC graded MS-66. Gold at the rims, fully struck on both
sides, and quite lustrous. An impressive example.
Estimated Value $500-600.
Lot 1701
1939-PDS Oregon Trail Half
Dollar Set in the original holder. These grade MS-67. Housed in
the original cardboard holder, which grades Fine each coin boasts
gorgeous "tab" toning and pristine surfaces. The luster dances with mint
freshness rarely encountered. Boldly struck, and only 3,004 were coined of
each, making this one of the lowest mintage issues of the entire commemorative
half dollar series. Truly an opportunity to purchase a stunning, original set
that includes the cardboard tab holder. Lot of 3 coins.
Estimated Value
$2,500-UP.
Lot 1702
1939 PDS Oregon Trail Half
Dollar Set. Each are PCGS graded as follows: Philadelphia MS-65; Denver
MS-66 and San Francisco MS-65. This original set is perfectly matched with
light golden toning on both sides with darker colorful flecks near the rims
from the paper holders which were used to mail out these coins to collectors.
This is the rarest of the Oregon sets, with mintages of 3,004 of the
Philadelphia and Denver coins, and 3,005 of the San Francisco issue. A rare
set! Lot of 3 coins.
Estimated Value $1,350-1,500.
Lot 1703
1939-P and S Oregon Trail
Half Dollars. This pair of coins each grades MS-66 or better. Housed in
the original cardboard holder for decades, which is included in this lot and
grades Very Fine, this pair boasts some of the most stunning color we've
ever seen on any commemorative half dollar. Vibrant sunset gold and
green predominate, but the colors are simply too bold and complex to describe
with the limitations of the English language. Suffice to say, these must be
seen to be believed. One side has the familiar tab toning, the other side rich
with the stunning array of colors. Lot of 2 coins. Color photo.
Estimated
Value $2,000-UP.
Lot 1704
1915-S Panama-Pacific Half
Dollar. PCGS graded MS-66 Premium Quality. While the grade certainly
says a lot, this coin will long be remembered for its perfectly arranged
obverse toning. The rims form a golden gray tone, which fades to an oval ring
of vibrant blue and gold, the length extending horizontally across the obverse.
On the reverse, a simple halo of gold at the edge. One of the prettiest
commemoratives in this sale and the nicest we've seen. PCGS notes just 139
graded this high, with 49 graded higher.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
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 1705
1915-S Panama-Pacific Half
Dollar. NGC graded MS-66. Gray toning over lustrous fields, and we
note that the devices are hugged by a light blue color which offsets their
magnificent design. In this sale, we have several toned examples of this coin,
and anyone who is serious about collecting these would do well to acquire at
least one for their collection. Color photo.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
Lot 1706
1915-S Panama-Pacific Half
Dollar. NGC graded MS-64. Stunning colors on this one, with deep
blue at the edge, and glorious golds next, fading to bright silver at the
centers. Perfectly balanced and nicely struck. An early and rare issue of the
Commemorative series, and this is one of the most beautiful and sought-after
coins.
Estimated Value $800-1,200.
Lot 1707
1915-S Panama-Pacific Half
Dollar. NGC graded MS-64. Satiny gray in color with brighter hues at
the periphery. Well struck on the devices, and well preserved too, as most of
this can't even qualify as "choice" today. Abundant eye appeal for the
specialist.
Estimated Value $600-700.
Lot 1708
1920 Pilgrim Half Dollar.
PCGS graded MS-65. Encircled by rainbow rings of color through the
peripheral lettering, bright silver elsewhere. Good luster and a nice strike
combine to keep this in the gem class, with the usual super clean surfaces, to
be sure.
Estimated Value $350-500.
Lot 1709
1920 Pilgrim Half Dollar.
PCGS graded MS-64. This one must have just missed a gem grade, steel
gray and lightly toned with very clean surfaces.
Estimated Value $80-90.
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 1710
1921 Pilgrim Half Dollar.
PCGS graded MS-65. Light gold toning on both sides, and well struck.
Estimated Value $325-375.
Lot 1711
1921 Pilgrim Half Dollar.
PCGS graded MS-65. Stone white and quite lustrous. Absolutely free
of toning, and well struck too.
Estimated Value $325-375.
Lot 1712
1936 Rhode Island Half
Dollar. PCGS graded MS-66. An intensely lustrous example with its
satiny mint surfaces shimmering with light pastel tones.
Estimated Value
$500-550.
Lot 1713
1936 Rhode Island Half
Dollar. PCGS graded MS-65. Lightly toned with natural lilac and
gold.
Estimated Value $100-150.
Lot 1714
1936-D Rhode Island Half
Dollar. ICG graded MS-67. Lovely toning on this one, with great
luster too. Close examination with a 10X glass shows only a couple of ticks on
the surfaces, and this one is nearly perfect.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
Lot 1715
1936-D Rhode Island Half
Dollar. PCGS graded MS-66. A touch of pale blue tone graces the
satiny mint surfaces with russet tones around the borders. Here is a splendid
gem specimen.
Estimated Value $500-550.
Lot 1716
1936-D Rhode Island Half
Dollar. PCGS graded MS-66. Sunset gold and red tones at the rims,
while the centers are much brighter silver. Great luster and well struck.
Always popular in high grades and with ample eye appeal.
Estimated Value
$500-600.
Lot 1717
1936-D Rhode Island Half
Dollar. PCGS graded MS-66. Dark gold at the edge, satiny gray tones
over the luster elsewhere. Sharp, and well preserved, with no distracting
bagmarks.
Estimated Value $225-275.
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.