Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 13

The Benson Collection of U.S. Coins, Part 2

Liberty Seated Half Dimes

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 412		1857 Liberty Seated Half Dime. NGC graded Proof 65. A totally white gem proof example with plenty of contrast between the mirror surfaces and frosted devices. Some faint die chip and lint marks can be seen under magnification, these were undoubtedly present when struck. One of only about 70 or so made. Estimated Value $3,500 - 4,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 413		1857 Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded MS-64. Nearly a gem that boasts full luster, delicate gold to darker shades around the edges, and a decent strike. Scarce, and a lot more expensive any better. Estimated Value $450 - 500. From the Benson collection and purchased from B. Max Mehl as "Unc." for 75¢. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,208
Lot 414		1857 Liberty Seated Half Dime. MS-63. Mottled gold and blue toning on both sides, and sharp on the left side, weak on the right, as the dies may have been slightly out of alignment. Estimated Value $150 - 200. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $322
Lot 415		1857 Liberty Seated Half Dime. MS-63. Bright and untoned, with strong luster. The planchet shows minor streaks and which caused some weakness on Liberty's head. Estimated Value $150 - 200. View details	Unsold
Lot 416		1858 Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded Proof 65. A superb example of this rare early proof issue, perhaps 100 were coined, and PCGS has graded 10 this high, with a single coin graded higher. This particular coin boasts frosted devices and well mirrored fields. In the toning department, it is truly beautiful, with deep blue and gray around the edges into the fields, and snowy white at the center on the obverse, the reverse similar but with less toning around the edge, and more snowy white areas from the wreath to the center. There is a small area right and below HALF where the mirror surfaces are not complete, as struck, which should help to identify this one. Estimated Value $4,000 - 4,500. From the Benson collection and purchased from B. Max Mehl for $7.25 probably in the mid 1940s. While we have no substantiation, this may be the Newcomb coin, as Dr. Benson purchased several coins from that collection via various dealers, and it was broken up around the time this collection was formed. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,255
Lot 417		1858-O Liberty Seated Half Dime. EF-45. Steel gray with gold around the edges. Minor surface marks left of the date. Estimated Value $50 - 60. From the Benson collection and purchased from J. G. Macallister in a large group of half dimes on November 7, 1944 for $80.00. View details	Realized $63
Lot 418		1859-O Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded AU-55. Bright at the centers with the periphery toned from long storage in National Pages albums. Sharply struck, with minimal circulation evidence. Estimated Value $150 - 175. From the Benson collection and purchased from J. G. Macallister in a large group of half dimes on November 7, 1944 for $80.00. View details	Realized $207
Lot 419		1859 Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded Proof 65. A gorgeous example of this date. Deep blue toning around the rim, with frosty white centers. The reverse is lighter, with gold around the rim. One small planchet flaw is noted through the lower two points of the ninth star to just below the base of Liberty's cap will serve to identify. PCGS notes 21 graded as such, with 9 graded higher (best PR-67). Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500. From the Benson collection and purchased from B. Max Mehl for $4.20 probably around 1944. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,025
Lot 420		1860 Liberty Seated Half Dime. Obverse of 1859, reverse of 1860 (with stars). PCGS graded MS-67. The coin without a country! One of the more famous pattern issues, the obverse retains the 1859 and prior design with the stars surrounding Liberty, while the reverse is the new style with the larger wreath, as was adapted in 1860. The problem with the design is, there is no identifying which country issued it! Only 100 were struck, sort of as a pattern issue, but they have been included in all the mainstream collecting references for decades, such as the Guide Book, Breen's Encyclopedia and others. Hence, everyone wants one, and there are precious few to go around. PCGS has graded just 42 of these, and this one sits solidly at the top as MS-67, and is one of 5 seen by that service graded this high. The surfaces are pristine, and the frost literally jumps of the surfaces. Around the edge we note deep blue toning turning to gold through the obverse stars and reverse wreath. The strike is not quite complete on just three of the stars, perhaps because of the wreath on the reverse. One of the most famous of all pattern issues, and always in feverish demand. To find one so fresh and pristine is quite a challenge, and no doubt this one will be snapped up be an eager collector who demands the absolute best available. Estimated Value $5,000-UP. From the Benson collection and purchased from B. Max Mehl on April 2, 1945 for the relatively high price of $75.00. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $16,100
Lot 421		1860 Liberty Seated Half Dime. Legend. PCGS graded Proof 62. Here is an example of a moderate grade on a really beautiful coin. The obverse has deep blue and gold toning, with the centers bright white, the reverse has similar toning, deep gold at the rims, bright at the centers. Minor handling marks inside the wreath on the reverse, and trivial hairlines from a higher grade. A scarce and early proof issue. Estimated Value $250 - 300. From the Benson collection and purchased from B. Max Mehl for $2.85, probably around 1943/4. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $345
Lot 422		1860 Liberty Seated Half Dime. Legend. PCGS graded Proof 62. Deep blue toning with rose highlights at the centers. Minor hairlines account for the grade. One for the toned coin specialist. Estimated Value $250 - 300. From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed, March 22, 1944 for $3.50. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $311
Lot 423		1860-O Liberty Seated Half Dime. NGC graded MS-63. Here is a controversial coin, the surfaces are reflective and we note a strong wire edge around most of the obverse and reverse as seen on proof issues. Breen states that 4 proofs are known of this date, the reason they were struck is unknown. Regardless, if this is mint state or proof, it is a beautiful example that boasts deep gray and blue toning on the obverse, and lighter shades on the reverse. Quickly identifiable by a small edge cut or lamination left of the date and a speck near the bottom point of the cap. The mintmark is thin on the left, thicker on right side. Estimated Value $250-UP. From the Benson collection and purchased from J. G. Macallister in a large group of half dimes on November 7, 1944 for $80.00. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,093
Lot 424		1861 Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded Proof 62. Extremely pleasing for the grade, with deep blue and green around the rims, brighter at the centers. Minor hairlines account for the grade. Estimated Value $250 - 300. From the Benson collection and purchased from B. Max Mehl for $7.00 around 1945. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $368
Lot 425		1862 Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded Proof 64. Hazy golden gray on both sides, with deeper blue around the obverse rim. Boldly struck as expected for a proof, and well frosted on the devices. This appears to be V-3, with the top of the second S in STATES filled. Another magnificent coin for the grade, and one which most collectors will be proud to own for many years to come. Estimated Value $450 - 550. From the Benson collection and purchased from B. Max Mehl for $2.10 probably around 1944. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $748
Lot 426		1863 Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded Proof 64. Deep gold and blue in color on the obverse, lighter on the reverse. Sharply impressed and quite appealing for the grade. This is the V-1 variety, with the 18 repunched low. Estimated Value $500 - 600. From the Benson collection and purchased from B. Max Mehl for $3.35 around 1944. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $978
Lot 427		1863-S Liberty Seated Half Dime. EF-40. Golden toning on the obverse, but there are several faint scratches in the fields on the obverse. Estimated Value $80 - 90. From the Benson collection and purchased from B. Max Mehl as "Unc." probably around 1944. View details	Realized $109
Lot 428		1864 Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded Proof 66. One of the finest graded of this date, PCGS notes 6 this high with a single coin graded higher. Deep blue in the fields, frosty on the devices which also show toning. A superb example for the specialist who demands outstanding quality. Further, this is a rare date with a mintage of just 470 and a low mintage of just 48,000 for circulation. Mintages of both proofs and business strikes plummeted during the dark days of the Civil War. Always popular with collectors, this date is seldom offered in high grades. Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000. From the Benson collection and purchased from B. Max Mehl for $25.00 around 1944. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,760
Lot 429		1864-S Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded AU-58. Another coin from the famous WGC. This one is a delight, frosty luster with delicate gold around the rims, with ample eye appeal. One tiny planchet lamination at the O in OF will serve to identify. Only 90,000 were struck, and few remain in high grade. This one will no doubt find many suitors. Estimated Value $300 - 400. From the Benson collection and purchased directly from Kosoff's/Kreisberg's Numismatic Gallery's sale of the "World's Greatest Collection", May 11, 1945 as "extremely fine" for $7.50 with envelope included. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $719
Lot 430		1865 Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded Proof 66. One of the finest graded by PCGS, which reports 10 this high and none graded higher! Superb deep blue around the rims, fading to gold, then white at the centers. Deeply frosted devices, and wonderfully preserved. Only 500 minted, with an additional 13,000 business strikes, combine to make this one of the lowest mintage years of all Half Dimes. Don't miss this one if you love toned proofs. Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000. From the Benson collection and purchased from B. Max Mehl for $7.35 around 1944. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,565
Lot 431		1865-S Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded AU-50. Flashy gold toning around the rims, bright white at the centers. Sharp for this date, and struck from clashed dies, with cracks on either side of the mintmark to the rim. Estimated Value $300 - 350. From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on May 9, 1945 for $2.50. View details	Realized $403
Lot 432		1866 Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded Proof 63. Deep blue, green and russet toning rather heavy on the obverse, the reverse lighter and more flashy. 725 were struck, and this is a nice choice example. Estimated Value $400 - 450. From the Benson collection and purchased from B. Max Mehl for $4.00 around 1944. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $529
Lot 433		1866-S Liberty Seated Half Dime. AU-55. Deep orange gold in color with blue arcs of color near the rims, with darker specks on either side. The color is certainly unusual, even for a Benson coin. One faint scratch below the mintmark. As to the strike, it is sharp in areas, weak in others, as the dies may not have quite been aligned when this one was coined. Estimated Value $150 - 200. From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on December 5, 1945 for $9.00. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $242
Lot 434		1867 Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded Proof 65. An exceptional example of this scarce date, only 625 were coined in proof, and just 8,000 were coined for circulation. Of these, PCGS has graded 26 this high, with 11 graded higher (best PR-67). Deep blue and gold around the periphery, stone white at the centers, and deeply reflective fields. An opportunity, with quintessential "Benson" toning. Estimated Value $1,100 - 1,300. From the Benson collection and purchased from B. Max Mehl for $3.40 around 1944. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,955
Lot 435		1867-S Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded MS-63. Bright with luster and lightly toned with splashes of gold colors on the obverse, even brighter on the reverse. Nicely preserved, and with full details on Liberty's head and weakness on the dentils near the rims. A rare coin in mint state, PCGS notes only 4 graded as such, with 10 graded higher. Another opportunity to purchase a coin with a wonderful pedigree from the WGC. Estimated Value $700 - 800. From the Benson collection and purchased from Kosoff/Kreisberg's sale of The World's Greatest Collection, May 11, 1945, lot 309 for $6.00, with envelope included. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,093
Lot 436		1868 Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded Proof 64. Beautiful blue toning at the rims and well frosted at the centers. Minor hairlines must account for the grade. Only 600 were struck in Proof, and this one is quite nice for the grade. Estimated Value $400 - 500. From the Benson collection and purchased from J. G. Macallister on November 29, 1944 for $2.50. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $748
Lot 437		1869 Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded Proof 67. A nearly perfect example of this date, this one boasts deep gold and blue around the edges and snow white frost at the center. PCGS has only graded 2 this high, with a single coin graded higher. Only 600 were coined, and this is certainly one of the finest to survive. Further, this coin has been off the market for about 55 years! If you demand an exceptional coin of this rare date, then bid accordingly. Estimated Value $4,000 - 5,000. From the Benson collection and purchased from B. Max Mehl for $2.45 around 1945. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $9,200
Lot 438		1869 Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded Proof 66. A dazzling superb gem proof example. The natural toning is exquisite featuring mellow lavender in the centers, surrounded by turquoise with golden-russet iridescence around the outer margins. This little jewel is certainly one of the more eye-catching Seated Liberty Half Dimes from a mintage of only 600 coined. Estimated Value $1,300 - 1,600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,725
Lot 439		1869-S Liberty Seated Half Dime. AU-55. A simply stunning example of this date. It was probably cleaned more than half a century ago, and is now toned with deep rainbow hues around the periphery. Well struck by the dies, and we note a fin, or knife rim, around both the obverse and reverse. Scarce this nice. Estimated Value $80 - 90. From the Benson collection and purchased from James Kelly on January 4, 1945 for $3.50. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $115
Lot 440		1870 Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded Proof 67. One of the 3 finest graded by PCGS, with none graded higher! Superb color and surfaces, the centers are deeply frosted, while the edges are toned with deep rainbow shades. Perfectly struck and preserved, and rare this nice. One of only 1,000 struck, and certainly a contender for the finest of those. Estimated Value $4,000 - 5,000. From the Benson collection and purchased from B. Max Mehl on November 22, 1944 for $2.65. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $6,038
Lot 441		1871-S Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded EF-45. Toned with mottled but beautiful gold and green colors on both sides. Lightly circulated and nice for the grade. Estimated Value $50 - 60. From the Benson collection and purchased from J. G. Macallister in a large group of half dimes on November 7, 1944 for $80.00. View details	Realized $75
Lot 442		1872 Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded Proof 65. Superb blue peripheral toning, fading towards gold, with frosty white at the centers. Perfectly struck and preserved. PCGS notes 20 graded this high, with 5 graded higher. Estimated Value $900 - 1,000. From the Benson collection and purchased from B. Max Mehl on November 22, 1944 for $1.10 as plain old "Proof". View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,415
Lot 443		1872-S Liberty Seated Half Dime. Mint mark above bow. NGC graded MS-65. A lovely well struck example with shimmering frosty mint luster. The obverse is overlayed with hues of violet, gold and turquoise, while the reverse is largely untoned with some mottled russet scattered about. Estimated Value $750 - 800. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $863
Lot 444		1872-S Liberty Seated Half Dime. Mint mark above bow. PCGS graded MS-63. Deep sunset gold toning throughout, with a decent strike and only a couple of faint handling marks. Estimated Value $150 - 170. From the Benson collection and purchased from James Kelly on January 4, 1945 for $2.00. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $230
Lot 445		1872-S Liberty Seated Half Dime. Mint mark above bow. PCGS graded AU-58. Iridescent toning on both sides with just a whisper of rub on the high points. This is one of those AU-63 coins, wonderful surfaces and color, with a couple of tiny areas of friction. Estimated Value $60 - 70. From the Benson collection and purchased from Hollinbeck on December 26, 1944 as "Unc." for $2.40. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $173
Lot 446		1872-S Liberty Seated Half Dime. Mint mark below bow. PCGS graded AU-58. Deep blue gold in toning, and nicely struck by the dies. We note a stain in the upper right obverse, but nice quality for the grade. Estimated Value $60 - 70. From the Benson collection and purchased from J. G. Macallister in a large group of half dimes on November 7, 1944 for $80.00. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $121
Lot 447		1873 Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded Proof 67. One of the finest graded of this date, in fact PCGS has only seen 3 this high with none graded higher. Superb deep blue and green around the rim, with well frosted white centers. An outstanding opportunity for the quality demanding numismatist. Estimated Value $4,000 - 5,000. From the Benson collection and purchased from B. Max Mehl around 1944 for $3.45. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $6,038
Lot 448		1873 Liberty Seated Half Dime. NGC graded MS-67. A stunning and simply superb gem example. This beauty explodes with color! The centers exhibit pale violet radiating outwards to iridescent deep blue. Not many are going to approach this little jewel in eye appeal. Make sure you see this in person or on the color plate. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 449		1873-S Liberty Seated Half Dime. PCGS graded MS-64. Satiny gold in color, with abundant luster in the fields. This is the final year of issue, when Wharton's nickel finally sent this denomination packing, after 7 years of production of both 5 cent nickel coins and half dimes. Starting in 1874, only "nickels" were produced. Estimated Value $300 - 350. From the Benson collection and purchased from an unknown source for $1.50 around 1945. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $403
Lot 450		1843 Liberty Seated Half Dime. The following dates and grades are included: 1843 VF-30, 1844 EF-40, 1847 EF-40 reverse scratch, 1850 VF-30 cleaned and 1850-O EF-40. A nice lot for the date collector. Lot of 5 coins. Estimated Value $50 - 60. From the Benson collection and purchased from J. G. Macallister in a large group of half dimes on November 7, 1944 for $80.00. View details	Realized $150
Lot 451		1857-O Liberty Seated Half Dime. The first coin is an 1857-O VF-20 cleaned, 1863-S VF-20 with unusual color, 1868-S VF-20 cleaned and 1871 EF-40 cleaned. Still worth inspecting. Lot of 4 coins. Estimated Value $50 - 70. From the Benson collection and purchased from J. G. Macallister in a large group of half dimes on November 7, 1944 for $80.00, others from B. Max Mehl. View details	Realized $81

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