Feb. 24-25, 2003, The Benson Collection Part 3, Sale 17

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Mercury Dimes


Lot 350      1917. NGC graded MS-65 Full Bands. Flashy luster with a rich golden tone on the obverse fading to light blue at the lower rim there. Similar but more intense colors on the reverse. One faint scratch on Liberty's cheek, but boldly struck.
Estimated Value $300-400.
 
Lot 351      A trio of Mercuries all PCGS graded as noted: 1917 MS-66 FB, 1923 MS-66 FB and 1934 MS-65 FB. Lot of 3 coins. The first and last are toned with deep gold, while the 1923 has a splash of gold at the center of the reverse only. Each is nice and sharp. Lot of 3 coins.
Estimated Value $950-UP.
 


Lot 352      1918-D. PCGS graded MS-64 Full Bands. Stunning multi-color rainbow toning graces the surfaces on both sides. Definitely worthy of a premium bid.
Estimated Value $1,900-2,100.
 


Lot 353      1920. NGC graded MS-67 Full Bands. Dark gold toning on both sides, but the surfaces are very clean, and hence were awarded this monumental grade. NGC has only graded 10 this high, with just 2 higher, making this one of the very finest graded of the date.
Estimated Value $1,400-1,500.
 

Gem Full Bands 1921-D


Lot 354      1921-D. PCGS graded MS-65 Full Bands. One of the key dates to this series, only 1,080,000 were coined for the year, and very few were set aside. This fact is borne out by the PCGS Population Report which shows 47 graded this high with Full Bands and a scant 14 higher, all one grade above at the very top of the census. This one is mostly bright, with a delicate pinkish tone on both sides, and abundant satiny luster beneath. Fully struck as expected for a full bands coin, with strong curls on Liberty and all minute details sharp. A desirable gem example of this tough as nails date!
Estimated Value $3,500-4,000.
 

Magnificently Toned 1936 Gem Proof Mercury Dime


Lot 355      1936. NGC graded Proof 67. A gorgeous little gem with an obverse that shimmers with vivid colors. The bright center portion highlights Weinman's rendition of Mercury and turns to golden hues as it reaches the borders. The reverse is mostly pale lilac and turns to russet at the borders. Color photo.
Estimated Value $5,000-UP.
 


Lot 356      1937. PCGS graded Proof 67. Light gold around the rim with just a trace of mellowing to the flashy brilliance. PCGS has graded 145 this high, with just 18 higher, all PR-68 above.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,200.
 


Lot 357      1937. NGC graded Proof 66. Attractive light sunset toning about the borders on both sides.
Estimated Value $700-750.
 
Lot 358      1938. PCGS graded Proof 66. Bright white save for light streaky gold on both sides visible with a glass.
Estimated Value $400-450.
 


Lot 359      1938. NGC graded Proof 66. Stunning "bull's-eye" rainbow toning across the obverse, while the reverse boasts of light turquoise deepening to golden-russet at the borders. This little beauty will certainly stir up some fierce competition.
Estimated Value $500-UP.
 
Lot 360      1939. PCGS graded Proof 67 Premium Quality. A lovely gem proof that boasts streaky gold toning on both sides and excellent eye appeal. This one resides in an older green insert PCGS holder.
Estimated Value $600-700.
Ex: Superior Galleries May 27, 1991 sale, lot 575.
 


Lot 361      1939. NGC graded Proof 67. Beautiful deep sunset toning greatly adds to this coin's appeal. In an old style NGC holder.
Estimated Value $600-650.
 
Lot 362      1939. PCGS graded Proof 66. Beautiful light gold mostly at the rims.
Estimated Value $400-425.
 


Lot 363      1939. NGC graded Proof 66 Cameo. A superb blazing white gem example.
Estimated Value $1,600-1,700.
 


Lot 364      1940. NGC graded Proof 67. Attractively toned with hues of violet and gold.
Estimated Value $600-650.
 
Lot 365      1940. PCGS graded Proof 66. Pleasing light gold toning on the obverse, similar on the reverse but with more iridescence there.
Estimated Value $325-350.
 


Lot 366      1941. NGC graded Proof 68. This little treasure is just bursting with color! A stunning gem that is certain to stir considerable bidder attention.
Estimated Value $1,500-UP.
 
Lot 367      1941. PCGS graded Proof 65. Woodgrained gold and haze toning on both sides over mirror surfaces.
Estimated Value $300-325.
 


Lot 368      1942. PCGS graded Proof 68. A superb coin that boasts just a bit of bluish gold toning along the upper rim and a bit less around both sides at the periphery. PCGS has graded only 25 of this date as such, with none graded higher, making this one tied for the best they've seen to date.
Estimated Value $2,000-UP.
 
Lot 369      1942. PCGS graded Proof 67. A superb gem that is further enhanced by the attractive violet and electric blue toningi.
Estimated Value $525-575.
 


Lot 370      1942-D, 2 over 1, FS-010.8. NGC graded MS-64. Delightful toning on both sides of rainbow iridescent hues from edge to center in organized rings. The overdate feature can be seen with a glass, but is not as plain as seen on the Philadelphia version. If you love spectacular color, and want a real showpiece for your collection, then bid well and try to capture this jewel-like prize. Further, this one almost has full bands with partial separation clearly present.
Estimated Value $3,000-UP.
 
Lot 371      1943-D. PCGS graded MS-66 Full Bands. Together with: 1938-D Buffalo nickel in PCGS MS-65 and a 1881-S Dollar in PCGS MS-65. Three coins in lot.
Estimated Value $150-160.
 
Lot 372      A small group of Mercury dimes. Lot of 6 coins. Each coin that follows is PCGS graded as indicated and all are noted as Full Bands as well. Further, each is in an older green insert PCGS holder. Dates: 1937-D MS-65, 1941-D MS-65, 1941-D MS-64 (2 pieces), 1943-D MS-65 and 1944-D MS-65. Each coin is bright and lustrous. Lot of 6 coins.
Estimated Value $100-120.
 
Lot 373      A group of Mercury dimes, all NGC graded in old holders as noted. Lot of 6 coins. 1941 MS-66, 1943 MS-66, 1943-S MS-66, 1944 MS-66, 1944-D MS-65 FB and 1945 MS-66. A nice lot. Lot of 6 coins.
Estimated Value $225-250.
 
Lot 374      Mercury dimes all PCGS graded as follows. Lot of 5 coins. 1942 MS-66, 1942-D MS-66 FB, 1943-D MS-66 FB, 1943-S MS-66 and 1944-D MS-66 FB. All are nice white coins. Lot of 5 coins.
Estimated Value $100-110.
 

Roosevelt Dimes

Lot 375      1951. PCGS graded Proof 67 Cameo. Great contrast and mostly bright save for light rosy gold starting on both sides. PCGS has graded 55 as such, with 3 higher cameos.
Estimated Value $400-500.
 
Lot 376      1951. PCGS graded Proof 67 Cameo. Pleasing light gold toning and excellent contrast.
Estimated Value $400-500.
 
Lot 377      1954. PCGS graded Proof 68. PCGS has graded 47 this high, with none higher.
Estimated Value $200-300.
 
Lot 378      1959. PCGS graded Proof 67 Deep Cameo. A tough coin to find in Deep Cameo, and we note the PCGS Population Report shows 9 graded as such, with 17 higher as PR-68 DCAM and 3 at the top as PR-69 DCAM. One for the specialist.
Estimated Value $250-UP.
 
Lot 379      Error Roosevelt dime, off center by about 40 percent and a reverse brockage! No date, and the planchet is split. MS-60+. The planchet on this one weighs only .41 grams, and appears to be aluminum. No trace of the obverse, and hence no date, and there is no mintmark on the reverse. Just exactly how this one was struck is somewhat of a mystery to us, so take some time to study it before the auction. The planchet was nearly severed by the dies, and this coin is quite fragile. Perhaps a coiner dropped the pop top off a soda can which somehow made it into the coining hopper!
Estimated Value $50-70.
 


Lot 380      1976-D Error Roosevelt dime, struck about 50 percent off center towards 1 o'clock. MS-63. Nice color and surfaces, but we note some circular scratches on the blank part of the reverse, likely from a coin counting machine. A spectacular error which is well off center.
Estimated Value $100-UP.
 
Lot 381      A lot of BU Roosevelt dimes as noted. Lot of 246 coins. This lot includes 1956 (19 pieces), 1957 (27 pieces), 1957-D (100 pieces), 1958-D (50 pieces) and 1959-D (50 pieces). All are nice BU coins.. Lot of 246 coins.
Estimated Value $120-140.
 
Lot 382      1946, a lot of 14 original BU rolls of this date, the first year of issue of the Roosevelt dime. Lot of 700 coins. Here is a wonderful lot for the dealer or investor, these original rolls were put away decades ago and haven't been searched for gems. A glance notes the coins are all bright and fresh. Lot of 700 coins.
Estimated Value $900-UP.
 
Lot 383      A group of PCGS graded Proof Roosevelt dimes. Lot of 10 coins. 1950 PR-65 (2 pieces), 1952 PR-66 (2 pieces), 1953 PR-67 (3 pieces) and 1954 PR-67 (3 pieces).. Lot of 10 coins.
Estimated Value $200-250.
 
Lot 384      1954 nearly a bag of this date, this lot has 99 rolls of BU dimes. Lot of 4950 coins. This lot lacks just a single roll from a complete bag. Most of the coins appear to be bright and fresh as the day they were struck, and have been in a hoard since their time of issue. Not searched in any way and there are likely some nice gems included in this huge group. Housed in coin tubes. This lot weighs 30 lbs. Lot of 4950 coins.
Estimated Value $3,000-UP.
 
Lot 385      1954-D An original bag housed in coin tubes, all mint state. Lot of 5000 coins. A fantastic opportunity for the dealer to sort through and pull out the gems. 100 original rolls which are seldom offered in such large groups. Totally unsearched, and put away many decades ago by a coin hoarder. Lot of 5000 coins.
Estimated Value $2,500-UP.
 
Lot 386      1954-S a lot of 38 BU rolls of this date, all fresh and original. Lot of 1900 coins. These were put away at the time of issue and are totally unsearched for gems. Larry Goldberg sold these to an investor decades ago, and this lot certainly presents an opportunity for the astute dealer or collector. This lot weighs 11 lbs, 8 oz. Lot of 1900 coins.
Estimated Value $900-UP.