Feb. 16, 2001, The Benson Collection Part 1, Sale 8
Lot 4207
1905 Lewis and Clark
Dollar. MS-64. A near gem that boasts semi-prooflike fields and very
clean surfaces. Boldly struck and free of distracting marks.
Estimated
Value $3,700-4,200.
Lot 4208
1905 Lewis and Clark
Dollar. AU-55. A few too many handling marks to qualify as Mint
State, but with a nice appearance overall.
Estimated Value $300-400.
Lot 4209
1903 Louisiana
Purchase-Jefferson Dollar. MS-63. Flashy and original.
Estimated
Value $400-500.
Lot 4210
1903 Louisiana
Purchase-McKinley Dollar. PCGS graded MS-64. Frosty luster and
untoned. The strike is a bit weak on some of the dentils of the obverse and
reverse, probably as the dies were starting to wear down. Nearly a gem.
Estimated Value $800-900.
Lot 4211
1903 Louisiana
Purchase-McKinley Dollar. PCI graded MS-63. A few minor hairlines
over the lustrous fields. Flashy.
Estimated Value $400-450.
Lot 4212
1903 Louisiana
Purchase-McKinley Dollar. MS-60. A few handling marks, but better
than one would expect for the grade.
Estimated Value $250-300.
Lot 4213
1916 McKinley Dollar.
MS-60. Trouble free preservation and nice color. A few trivial
hairlines.
Estimated Value $225-275.
Lot 4214
1915-S Panama-Pacific Set
including the box of issue. A complete five piece set of these famous
commemorative coins including the original box of issue. Extremely Fine to
Uncirculated. The half dollar has been lightly cleaned, with resulting
hairlines in the fields but has retoned to a lovely tawny gold color. The one
dollar gold coin has nice surfaces, but a touch of weakness in the strike on
the letters TED of UNITED, the quarter eagle has some minor pin scratches on
obverse. The $50 round has been lightly tooled on the edge, perhaps to remove
some minor marks, and then the surfaces were cleaned. The design elements are
quite strong, and this coin has probably just been mishandled, or was briefly
used as a pocket piece. Finally, the $50 octagonal has also been cleaned, with
moderate hairlines visible on the surfaces. All are well struck, and make a
nice matched set that can be handled with less care than a gem mint state set.
Think of that for just a moment, these coins can be "handled", unlike most
numismatic treasures today. For the old time collector who
understands.
These were struck to commemorate the Panama Pacific Exposition
in San Francisco in 1915. Only 483 of $50 rounds were struck, and 645 of the
$50 octagonals. As many went to non collectors, these coins were often
mishandled, as seen here, at some time in the past. Popular because this is the
only $50 commemorative issued of the period, and with lovely allegorical
designs of Minerva and the owl on the large pieces, and splendid designs on the
small gold coins and the half dollar as well. The box of issue shows some wear,
with the lid slightly bent and the clasp no longer working. No doubt it has
been opened and closed many times over the last 85 years to show the sparkling
large gold coins inside. The purple velvet insert remains fresh, and the lid is
boldly printed identifying the coins. Lot of 5 coins and the box of issue.
Estimated Value $30,000-35,000.
Lot 4215
1915-S Panama-Pacific
$2.50. PCGS graded MS-66. Here is a blazer for the commemorative
specialist. The surfaces are pristine, without signs of contact or handling. A
delicate haze of greenish toning has settled in over the lustrous fields. The
only complaint is a tiny tick mark on Liberty's jaw. One of just 243 graded
this high, with a scant 10 graded higher by PCGS.
Estimated Value
$4,000-5,000.
Lot 4216
1926 Sesquicentennial
$2.50. PCGS graded MS-64. A near gem coin with flashy luster and
well struck devices. These were made in shallow relief and the lettering does
not stand up from the surrounding fields with any authority. Seldom found this
nice, most were nicked up by mishandling soon after coining.
Estimated
Value $600-700.
Lot 4217
1926 Sesquicentennial
$2.50. MS-63. Nicer surfaces than one would expect for the grade.
Estimated Value $350-400.