January 25-28, 2004, The Pre-Long Beach Coin & Currency Auction
Sale 23

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2934    1936 Elgin Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-67. A visually stunning example with breath-taking toning on both sides. Lots of lilac pastels intermingle with lime-green and goldenrod colors. Worth a huge premium because of the amazing color. PCGS reports 83 in this grade, but only three finer (in MS-68).
Estimated Value $1,400-1,800.
 

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2935    1936 Elgin Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-66. Pure white, with snowdrifts of frosty luster on both sides.
Estimated Value $325-350.
 

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2936    1936 Elgin Half Dollar. MS-65. A frosty gem specimen with far fewer marks than usually seen. All is overlaid with light natural toning.
Estimated Value $300-350.
 

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2937    1936 Elgin Half Dollar. MS-65. Lovely russet toning on both sides.
Estimated Value $175-200.
 

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2938    1922 Grant Half Dollar, no star. NGC graded MS-65. A nicely struck, pure white example.
Estimated Value $450-500.
 

Colorful Gem 1928 Hawaiian Half Dollar

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2939    1928 Hawaiian Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-65. PQ. One of the best toned, most colorful Hawaiian Half Dollars we have seen or handled. This type usually comes with a dullish, satiny luster. Not so with this vibrant Gem -- the surfaces are fully lustrous, with a hard, cold brilliance that is simply refreshing. This premium quality coin should set a record price for the grade. Color photo.
Estimated Value $6,000-9,000.
 

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2940    1928 Hawaiian Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-65. Original mottled greenish and pale violet toning on both sides. In an old green PCGS holder.
Estimated Value $3,500-4,000.
 

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2941    1928 Hawaiian Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-63. Premium Quality. Lustrous, with a silver-gray toning on the obverse and a deeper, dusky gray toning on the reverse. A popular, key date commemorative Half Dollar.
Estimated Value $1,400-1,600.
 

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2942    1935 Hudson Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-65. An intensely lustrous example and snow white in appearance. A gem example of this better commemorative type.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,200.
 

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2943    1935 Hudson Half Dollar. MS-60. Interesting lilac toning.
Estimated Value $325-350.
 

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2944    1924 Huguenot-Walloon Half Dollar. NGC graded MS-66. A stunning gem specimen with lovely rainbow toning on both sides. This beauty is worthy of a premium bid. Pop of 180.
Estimated Value $750-825.
 
2945    1924 Huguenot-Walloon Half Dollar. NTC graded MS-66. A lightly toned gem specimen.
Estimated Value $350-450.
 

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2946    1924 Huguenot-Walloon Half Dollar. MS-60. Vivid rose toning on the obverse, quite spectacularly so, with softer tones on the reverse. Color photo.
Estimated Value $100-125.
 

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2947    1918 Illinois Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-67. Superb cartwheel luster. Well struck, with a hint of light gold toning on both sides. PCGS has graded 64 examples at this level, but none have been graded finer.
Estimated Value $1,700-1,900.
 

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2948    1918 Illinois Half Dollar. MS-64. Lightly toned about the borders.
Estimated Value $125-150.
 

1946 Iowa Half Dollar

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2949    1946 Iowa Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-68. Vivid rainbow toning on both sides, the reverse with a pattern most likely caused from storage in a tab-type holder. A true beauty that should realize a record price. PCGS reports only 51 examples in this grade, with none finer.
Estimated Value $5,000-7,500.
 

The Most Colorful Iowa In The Universe

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2950    1946 Iowa Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-67. Housed in an old, green label holder which, coincidentally, matches the color on the obverse of this remarkable coin. Besides the expected high quality, the toning on this coin is quite dramatic, consisting of greens and golds on the obverse and a delicate lilac on the reverse. Definitely a coin for the toning aficionado.
Estimated Value $3,000-4,000.
 

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2951    1946 Iowa Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-67. Beautiful multicolor tones on both sides. In an old green holder.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,500.
 

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2952    1946 Iowa Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-66 PQ. Attractive delicate gold and lavender toning. A superb gem specimen.
Estimated Value $120-140.
 

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2953    1946 Iowa Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-65 PQ.
Estimated Value $80-90.
 

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2954    1946 Iowa Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-65 PQ. Desirable original russet toning on both sides. In an old green PCGS holder.
Estimated Value $80-90.
 

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2955    1946 Iowa Half Dollar. MS-65. Attractive "old holder" toning.
Estimated Value $80-90.
 

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2956    1925 Lexington-Concord Half Dollar. MS-64. Nice original toning. Includes the custom Box of Issue.
Estimated Value $100-135.
 

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2957    1936 Long Island Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-66. Delicate golden toning on both sides of this lovely gem specimen.
Estimated Value $800-900.
 

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2958    1936 Long Island Half Dollar. NGC graded MS-65. Nicely toned, but with a heavy spot of color on the Dutch settler's hair.
Estimated Value $250-275.
 

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2959    1936 Long Island Half Dollar. ANACS graded MS-65. Nice original toning.
Estimated Value $225-250.
 

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2960    1936 Lynchburg Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-65. Attractive, light golden toning. Housed in an older-generation, green-label holder.
Estimated Value $200-220.
 

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2961    1920 Maine Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-66. Well struck with intense mint luster. Some light colorful pastel toning is noted on the reverse. Pop of 286 with 15 higher by a point.
Estimated Value $800-850.
 
2962    1920 Maine Half Dollar. NTC graded MS-64. Together with: 1920 Pilgrim (2 pcs) ICG and NTC graded MS-65. Lot of 3 coins.
Estimated Value $400-535.
 

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2963    1920 Maine Half Dollar. MS-60. Untoned.
Estimated Value $75-85.
 

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2964    1921 Missouri Half Dollar, 2 x 4. NGC graded MS-65. A sparkling white mint gem. Here is one of the key commemorative issues that is seldom found in top condition. If you have been looking for a gem Missouri 2x4, wait no longer. Pop of 142 with only 3 higher by a point.
Estimated Value $3,000-3,500.
 

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2965    1921 Missouri Half Dollar, 2 x 4. MS-61. Attractive golden toning.
Estimated Value $375-425.
 

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2966    1921 Missouri Half Dollar, 2 x 4. MS-60. Bright and frosty.
Estimated Value $325-400.
 
2967    1921 Missouri Half Dollar, no 2 x 4. ANACS graded MS-62. Toned about the borders.
Estimated Value $250-300.
 

Finest Graded 1923-S Monroe Doctrine Half Dollar

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2968    1923-S Monroe Doctrine Half Dollar. NGC graded MS-68. Beautifully toned in amazing sea-green pastels over frosty white surfaces. We're tempted to let the grade speak for itself, as it should, but we are so impressed with this coin that we are compelled to add just a few more words. We see lots of amazing coin, great rarities, high condition coins, etc. -- in short, we're just a little bit jaded after decades in this business. However, we still appreciate all of the coins that appear in our sales, but this is a coin that is simply off the charts. Anyone that has collected U.S. commemorative coins in top grades knows the types that are tough to find in Gem condition: coins like the Grant with Star, the Lafayette Dollar, the Sesquicentennial, and the Monroe Doctrine. Finding an MS-65 example of any of them is a real challenge; finding MS-66 and better examples is well nigh impossible. For the Monroe Doctrine, the population drops off dramatically -- check out NGC's Census: 1074 in MS-64, 213 in MS-65, 40 in MS-66, 6 in MS-67, 1 in MS-68. Since its inception, NGC has certified over 2,300 Monroe Half Dollars, but only 1 in MS-68. We cannot think of a better definition for the word "rare."
Estimated Value $12,000-14,000.
 

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2969    1923 Monroe Doctrine Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-65. A very choice example with lovely, colorful toning on both sides. The Monroe Half Dollar remains one of the toughest issues to find in Gem condition. Color photo.
Estimated Value $1,700-1,800.
 

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2970    1923 Monroe Doctrine Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-64. Premium Quality. A beautiful, heavily frosted, nicely toned example that is just a mere mark or two from the elusive Gem grade. We suggest sending this coin back for a regrade as soon as possible -- it's that nice. What wonderful eye appeal for the issue!
Estimated Value $400-600.
 

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2971    1923 Monroe Doctrine Half Dollar. NGC graded MS-64. Attractive toning on both sides. This is the last truly affordable grade for this type; in MS-65, the price jumps dramatically.
Estimated Value $250-275.
 

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2972    1923 Monroe Doctrine Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-63 PQ. A lovely frosty white example.
Estimated Value $100-135.
 

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2973    1938 New Rochelle Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-67. A sparkling white gem with near immaculate surfaces. Pop of 103 with only 1 higher by a point.
Estimated Value $1,250-1,500.
 

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2974    1936 Norfolk Half Dollar. NGC graded MS-68. Here is a monster of a commem! The deep rainbow hues on both sides are this coin's hallmark. Moreover, underneath this wonderful spectrum of colors are surfaces that are equally wonderful, smooth, sleek and blemish-free. This is a candidate for "Finest Known" as it is in an older NGC holder before the star designation was instituted. Population of 31 with none higher (2 with star designation).
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
 

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2975    1936 Norfolk Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-66 PQ. A brilliant frosty mint specimen with hints of light toning about.
Estimated Value $375-450.
 

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2976    1926 Oregon Trail Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-67. A lovely, well-struck Gem with a hint of light golden toning around the edges. PCGS reports 31 at this grade, with none higher. This coin has a characteristic we've not seen on this type before -- the reverse is rotated approximately 30-40 degrees in a counterclockwise direction!
Estimated Value $2,100-2,300.
 

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2977    1926 Oregon Trail Half Dollar. MS-65. Nice and bold with satiny mint surfaces that are immaculate, all overlaid with light natural toning.
Estimated Value $200-250.
 

Runaway Color

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2978    1926-S Oregon Trail Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-67. Fantastic, multi-colored obverse toning, consisting of shades of gold, lilac, green, and blue earth-tones. The reverse is mostly white, with scattered flecks of golden color. This coin has the sort of color and eye appeal that brings run-away prices, so be prepared to bid beyond the limits of reason for this beauty.
Estimated Value $3,000-4,000.
 

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2979    1926-S Oregon Trail Half Dollar (3) with original issue card. MS-65 or better. Accompanied by the original, three-piece, tab-type holder of issue. All have deep, original toning, consistent with being in the card as issued by the Oregon Trail Memorial Association of New York City for many decades. Our consignor assures us that none of the coins have ever been submitted for grading and have stayed intact since issued. The card is in choice condition. Lot of 3 coins.
Estimated Value $750-1,000.
 

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2980    1926-S Oregon Trail Half Dollar. MS-65. A well struck gem with natural light mottled pastel toning on both sides.
Estimated Value $200-250.
 

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2981    1937-D Oregon Trail Half Dollar. MS-65. Attractive pastel toning is noted on both sides.
Estimated Value $200-250.
 

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2982    1938 Oregon Trail Half Dollar. NGC graded MS-66. One of only 6,005 pieces minted and an original toned example that shows it was kept in an original issue card until being sent in for grading. The reverse is toned an even reddish green hue while the obverse has deep red bands around the periphery and a single toned area in the center; elsewhere the surfaces are silvery white. Population of 278 with 56 in MS-67 and 2 in MS-68.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,500.
From the Larry Shepherd Collection, 8-11-91, lot 239 (realized $990.).
 

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2983    1938-D Oregon Trail Half Dollar. NGC graded MS-67. Here is a spectacular '38-D Oregon Trail with natural toning as acquired in an original holder. The toning is vibrant with white luster on the obverse mixed with shades of russet. The reverse is awesome with a blending of reds with greenish highlights and is worthy of a premium bid. In an older NGC holder. Population of 147 with 16 higher by a point. This gem will stack up against the finest in existence!.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
From the Larry Shepherd Collection, 8-11-91, lot 241 (realized $1595.).
 

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2984    1938-S Oregon Trail Half Dollar. NGC graded MS-67. A magnificently toned example and as the grade tells, an undeniably superb gem. What the grade fails to mention, however, but what we'll be happy to reveal, is that the entire coin has taken on a rich mix of reds and greens, golds and a bit of blue toning. Were one to search the world over, you would never find a fresher, more original blend of colorful hues than this one. In an older NGC holder, before the star designation (which is certainly deserving on this one). Population of 70 with 11 higher by a point.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
From the Larry Shepherd Collection, 8-11-91, lot 244 (realized $1320.).