Feb 18-19, 2002, The Benson Collection Part 2, Sale 13
Lot 1742
1926 Sesquicentennial Half
Dollar. NGC graded MS-64. Scattered fritzies on the devices, but
well blended into the satiny luster.
Estimated Value $300-350.
Lot 1743
1926 Sesquicentennial Half
Dollar. NGC graded MS-64. Nice original toning and with a few ticks
on the face of George Washington. Hazy gray hues with darker flecks near the
edge on the obverse, brighter shades on the reverse periphery.
Estimated
Value $250-350.
Lot 1744
1926 Sesquicentennial Half
Dollar. MS-64. This one has light hairlines on both sides from a
long ago cleaning, but now toned with glorious hues around the periphery, with
pinkish tones covering most of the coin. About as pretty as one could imagine.
Estimated Value $250-300.
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 1745
1926 Sesquicentennial Half
Dollar. MS-63. Good luster and nicely struck.
Estimated Value
$100-125.
Lot 1746
1926 Sesquicentennial Half
Dollar (2 coins). One grades EF-40, the other AU-50. Both are toned.
Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value $40-50.
Both are from the Benson
collection and were probably taken from circulation in the 1940s.
Lot 1747
1935 Old Spanish Trail
Half Dollar. NGC graded MS-67. Light gray toning on both sides over
lustrous surfaces. The open fields provide plenty of room for bagmarks, but not
on this one, the surfaces are gorgeous, with so signs of ticks or marks. The
NGC Population Report shows just 21 graded this high, with none graded higher,
making this likely one of the very finest in the world. Boldly struck and
nearly perfect in every way.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
Lot 1748
1935 Old Spanish Trail
Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-65. Great luster and boldly struck by
the dies. These are tough to find in full gem grades as the wide open fields
act like bagmark magnets, further, this one is in the old green insert PCGS
holder. Light rose and gold toning, and a true gem.
Estimated Value
$800-850.
Lot 1749
1935 Old Spanish Trail
Half Dollar. NGC graded MS-65. Bright white in color, with just a
whisper of haze. The surfaces of this gem are really superb, even for this high
grade. With the simplistic design, the open fields were normally subject to
bagmarks, which are the rule on these. Here is an exception, for its surfaces
and fields show precious few signs of contact, keeping this in the gem class
easily. Untoned and rare this nice.
Estimated Value $600-700.
Lot 1750
1935 Old Spanish Trail
Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-64 Premium Quality. Hazy gold toning
over mint fresh surfaces, with darker hues mixed in with the peripheral
lettering. Outstanding quality for the grade assigned, with virtually no sign
of contact in the fields or on the devices. We note remarkably little price
difference between MS-60 and MS-66 on this rare issue.
Estimated Value
$600-650.
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 1751
1934 Texas Half Dollar.
PCGS graded MS-65. Golden flecks of toning on the obverse and
reverse over luster. Well struck and pleasing.
Estimated Value $80-100.
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 1752
1935-S Texas Half Dollar.
NGC graded MS-66. Dark gold around the rims, lighter at the centers.
Lustrous and very high end.
Estimated Value $150-200.
Lot 1753
1936-D Texas Half Dollar.
ICG graded MS-66. Satiny luster and well struck by the dies.
Beautiful tones of gold and deeper iridescence on the rims.
Estimated Value
$300-400.
Lot 1754
1925 Fort Vancouver Half
Dollar. ICG graded MS-67. Stunning original gold toning around the
periphery, with hints of blue and russet at the edge. Superb surfaces
throughout, with no signs of contact from other coins. Well struck too, with
full device details on the head and curls, fort and mountain man on the
reverse. Color photo.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
Lot 1755
1925 Fort Vancouver Half
Dollar. NGC graded MS-66. Crackle umber and gold toning throughout,
apparently from the original mailing holder. One for the toned coin specialist.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,250.
Lot 1756
1925 Fort Vancouver Half
Dollar. NGC graded MS-64. Deep blue and gold toning, especially
around the periphery. A stunning coin that has all the eye appeal one could
hope for. Color photo.
Estimated Value $750-UP.
Lot 1757
1925 Fort Vancouver Half
Dollar. PCGS graded MS-64. Delicate gold toning with colorful flecks
around the periphery. Faint hairlines from a higher grade.
Estimated Value
$400-UP.
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 1758
1927 Vermont Half Dollar.
NGC graded MS-65. An outstanding, totally original example
exhibiting natural russet toning on both sides.
Estimated Value $450-525.
Lot 1759
1927 Vermont Half Dollar.
NGC graded MS-65. Lightly toned with pretty antique gray hues. A few
faint hairlines from a higher grade.
Estimated Value $450-525.
Lot 1760
1927 Vermont Half Dollar.
NGC graded MS-65. A lovely gem with full undisturbed frosty mint
surfaces overlayed with light pastel toning.
Estimated Value $350-400.
Lot 1761
1927 Vermont Half Dollar.
MS-65. This coin includes the original cardboard coin holder that
was mailed with the coin in 1927, and the holder grades Fine with light
staining and someone has added the operating instruction "Lift up" at the lower
left corner, for those challenged by such things. Back to the coin, two small
ticks on the cheek from an even higher grade, this one has strong luster and a
bold strike, and the coin has only a hint of toning.
Estimated Value
$500-600.
Lot 1762
1927 Vermont Half Dollar.
PCGS graded AU-58 Premium Quality. Good luster and clean surfaces,
with minor hairlines from brief circulation.
Estimated Value $80-100.
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 1763
1946 Booker T. Washington
Half Dollar. NGC graded MS-66. Lovely gold toning around the edges.
Estimated Value $100-150.
Lot 1764
1946 Booker T. Washington
Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-66. Beautiful gold and yellow toning
splashed on both sides over the mint luster. Well struck and preserved. PCGS
notes 152 graded this high, with just 9 higher (all MS-67) keeping this as one
of the best around.
Estimated Value $80-100.
From the Benson
collection and probably purchased at the time of issue.
Lot 1765
1946 Booker T. Washington
Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-66. Beautiful gold and green tab toning
on both sides over mint luster. Well struck and preserved. PCGS notes 152
graded this high, with just 9 higher (all MS-67).
Estimated Value $80-100.
From the Benson collection and probably purchased at the time of issue.
Lot 1766
1946 Booker T. Washington
Half Dollar (3 pieces). MS-65. These grade MS-64 to
MS-65.Each is a frosty original gem that shows golden toning on both sides.
Lot of 3 coins.
Estimated Value $60-75.
From the Benson collection
and purchased at the time of issue for $1.00.