Feb. 16, 2001, The Benson Collection Part 1, Sale 8
Lot 1687
1920. PCGS graded
MS-64. Well struck with most of Liberty's head showing. Flashy and bright.
Estimated Value $175-200.
Lot 1688
1920-S. ANACS
graded MS-65. Deep gold toning on the obverse with satiny, brighter on the
obverse. Well struck, with only a bit of weakness on Liberty's head and a
couple of the bosses on the shield. A rare date, and this one has nice surfaces
and appealing color.
Estimated Value $1,400-1,600.
Lot 1689
1921. PCGS graded
MS-64 Full Head. Flashy luster throughout with a very sharp strike on the
devices, including Liberty's head, hand and shield. On the reverse, there is
some mottled toning, including a curious tiny thread above the eagle in the
field, inside the holder. PCGS reports 51 graded this high, with 51 graded
higher in the full head category.
Estimated Value $1,200-1,400.
Lot 1690
1923. PCGS graded
MS-67. One of the finest graded of this date, and at a glance one can see
why. Iridescent gold toning over blazing luster in the fields, quite beautiful
we note. An important year, the roaring 20's were just getting started, the
painful post World War I recession had ended and the stock market was starting
its epic rise. A land boom had developed in Florida, and many wealthy east
coast families purchased property in that state to escape the harsh winters of
the north. Somehow this quarter has survived in pristine condition, fully
struck and with delicate toning. The strike on this piece is quite sharp, but
not quite "full" as the tiny leaves in Liberty's crown are poorly defined,
while her head is very nearly full. The shield bosses and horizontal lines are
present, and this coin is very close to the coveted "full" designation. Just 10
coins have been graded as such by PCGS, with 2 additional with the Full Head
designation, there are none graded higher in either category.
We strongly
suggest that this coin be compared with the 1924 PCGS MS-66 FH to follow, note
how similar the details on the head are, and note that the 1923 has a better
strike on the shield. Always take the time, and advantage of this wonderful
offering to expand your knowledge. A chance to see so many wonder coins is
rare, and we are proud and thrilled to be able to offer them to all collectors.
Many years went into building this superb set.
Estimated Value
$1,000-1,200.
Lot 1691
1924. PCGS graded
MS-66 Full Head. Put on your sun glasses to view this one, its snowy white
in color with vibrant luster on both sides. Free of toning, and this looks like
it was just pulled from the coining chute. Superb surfaces, even a strong glass
and magnifier can hardly find a tick. Well struck on Liberty's head, with two
bosses a bit mushy on the shield. We want to be perfectly clear, in an absolute
sense there is some slight weakness on the top of Liberty's temple where the
leaves extend from her crown, very similar to that on the 1923 offered before.
To call this one full head (the 1924) and not the 1923 is unjust. We know this
is splitting hairs (or leaves) but the bottom line is that these are both very
well struck coins that any collector would be proud to own and display either.
Again, an opportunity to learn about this wonderful series by examining several
coins that represent one of the nicest collections of Standing Quarters ever
formed.
Estimated Value $1,300-1,600.
Lot 1692
1925. PCGS graded
MS-65 Full Head. The dies were modified a bit in 1925 to sink the date a
little deeper, so it wouldn't wear away quite so quickly after brief
circulation. Reflective with excellent luster and a touch of deep gold toning
flecks around the rims. A true full head, with complete details on Liberty, the
only weakness is on the usual two bosses on the shield, which are a bit mushy.
Examination with a glass will note a couple of ticks, but they are minor and
not distracting. One of only 80 graded as such by PCGS, with a mere 31 graded
higher with a full head.
Estimated Value $500-600.
Lot 1693
1925. MS-64.
This one has flashy luster and is without toning. Slight weakness on
Liberty's head and shield. In an unknown grading service holder "U.S. Rare Coin
Certification & Trading Co., Inc." as MS-65. Our grade is MS-64 for this coin.
Make your own judgment.
Estimated Value $175-200.
Lot 1694
1926-D. PCGS graded
MS-66 Full Head. We are proud to present one of the highlights of this
magnificent collection. This is tied for the finest graded of the date, with
just 7 in its grade category according to the PCGS Population Report. Of
course, there are none graded higher. Not only is this a low mintage date, with
a scant 1,716,000 struck, but only 55 have been graded with a full head in any
of the mint state grades. Pitifully few are well struck, nearly all have flat
heads. Not so here, as Liberty's head is well struck, as are the three leaves
in her crown. The usual two bosses are mushy on the shield, but all else is
crisp and bold. Don't miss out on this unimprovable specimen if you ever want
to complete your set.
Estimated Value $15,000-UP.
Lot 1695
1926-S. PCGS graded
MS-66 Full Head. Satiny luster on both sides and very well struck for this
usually weak date. Liberty's head is full, with complete separation on her
little leaf crown, and with only a hint of weakness on her upper curls. Shield
weakness as always, but far better than the norm. One of the finest graded,
only 8 have earned a grade this high, and of course, none are graded higher. An
outstanding opportunity to purchase another of the real stoppers in this series
in superb grade. Flashy luster and with a tiny spot located on the top left
star. Free of all but the most trivial signs of contact.
Estimated Value
$20,000-UP.
Lot 1696
1927-D. PCGS graded
MS-66 Full Head. One of the finest graded with only 8 rated this high by
PCGS, and none higher. The surfaces are satiny and very flashy, a few light
toned areas around the periphery, and all is sharply struck save for the usual
two bosses on the shield. Hints of iridescent colors on both sides when
examined, add to the allure of this spectacular coin. A condition census piece
that would enhance any collection.
Estimated Value $3,000-4,000.
Lot 1697
1927-S. ANACS
graded AU-50. One of the key dates to the Standing Liberty series and
seldom found in high grade. This one is silvery white in color, and shows light
wear on the upper devices. The head on Liberty is a touch weak, as usual, but
most of the details are clear.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
Lot 1698
1928-D (2 pieces).
A pair, both grade MS-65, one by NGC, the other by PCGS. The PCGS
coin is flashy with just a bit of toning, and most of a head on Liberty, while
the NGC coin has a bit more color and appears more satiny. Both are beautiful
gems. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value $800-900.
Lot 1699
1928-S. NGC graded
MS-65 Full Head. Blazing luster and well struck for this date. Excellent
surfaces that show few signs of contact anywhere. A beauty.
Estimated Value
$300-400.
Lot 1700
1929-D. PCGS graded
MS-64 Full Head. Rare with the full head, Denver was trying to extend die
life again by turning down the striking pressure. There are some light die
cracks on both sides. A blazer that has no toning and clean surfaces for the
grade. Impressive and well made.
Estimated Value $1,200-1,400.
Lot 1701
1930. PCGS graded
MS-65 Full Head. This is a coin that is actually more common with a full
head than not, according to the PCGS Population Report. Now that the series was
being terminated, the mints finally got it right. Flashy luster and well
preserved, with lovely color and surfaces throughout.
Estimated Value
$400-500.
Lot 1702
1930-S. PCGS graded
MS-66 Full Head. The final year of issue, this one has delicate gold toning
around the rims and bright white at the centers. One small tick hidden on the B
of PLURIBUS on the reverse, otherwise mint fresh and without detractions. Only
45 graded this high, with 9 graded higher with Full Heads. Don't miss out on
this set, it will be a long time before we see this many superb coins offered.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,200.