Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 13

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

Flowing Hair and Bust Half Dollars

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 880		1795 Flowing Hair Half Dollar. PCGS graded AU-55. This particular coin boasts abundant mint luster with a delicate blue and gold toning around the periphery. Sharply struck, with full curls on Liberty, and excellent details on the eagle, including his small breast feathers. On the obverse, the die cracked from behind Liberty's eye, through her ear lobe, to the curls below. There are a few other minor die cracks on each side, including one through the tops of UNIT to the last A in AMERICA, and a thin one up from the right side of the first A of that word. Identifiable by a tiny scratch from the point of the lower left serif of the D in UNITED, through the upper serif, to the rim above, and three short scrapes just past that same letter in the field. No adjustment marks are present, and this coin is stunning in every way. This is likely high in the condition census for the variety, as noted in Steve Herrman's Auction & Mail Bid Prices Realized for Bust Half Dollars from 1794 to 1839. A finer example was sold in the James A. Stack sale by Stack's 10/94 sale, lot 476 for $34,100; and different coin was offered as MS-63 by Stack's Sale 3/98 lot 482 which brought $10,450. In addition we note an AU-55 example was sold by Stack's in their Halpern Sale, 5/99, lot 2455 for $11,213. In regard to the Benson coin, we suspect that it is likely tied with the Halpern coin as third finest of the variety. We also note that the Overton/Parsley reprint notes the best in their survey as VF-35. Certain to bring a strong price as such quality is seldom offered for the flowing hair type. Estimated Value $8,000 - 10,000. From the Benson collection and purchased from James G. Macallister on March 8, 1944 for $45.00. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $19,550
Lot 881		1797 Draped Bust Half Dollar. 15 stars. PCGS graded VF-20. All early silver collectors understand the significance of this rare coin. The draped bust, small eagle design is one of the rarest of all silver type coins. A paltry 3,918 were struck during the two years of 1796 and 1797 before the design changed for the third time in eight years when half dollar production resumed in 1801. Of the draped bust, small eagle coins struck, many circulated into low grades, while the clear majority were melted or lost. Today, we see that PCGS has graded 48 half dollars of 1796, and 58 of 1797, precious few to go around in all grades! This coin is particularly nice, it has golden gray toning on both sides, is well struck and completely free of problems. The lower reverse rim light adjustment marks, light enough that they can be counted, and these are not distracting. An early die state, struck before the dies cracked into pieces, and this early state means all the devices are evenly struck. Substantial hair detail and feather detail on the reverse too, and frankly, this coin is very conservatively graded. Average surface marks expected on a silver coin of the period, but without the usual problems that often mar these important and rare type coins. Estimated Value $18,000 - 22,000. From the Benson collection and purchased from James G. Macallister on November 3, 1944 for $300.00 (quite a strong price for that time!) and we also note the grade when purchased is noted as "Extremely Fine, nearly Unc." View details and enlarged photos	Realized $31,050
Lot 882		1801 Draped Bust Half Dollar. PCGS graded VF-25. Gorgeous dark blue and gold peripheral toning on both sides, bright at the centers. Well struck by the dies, and with the usual ticks on either side. Estimated Value $600 - 700. From the Benson collection and purchased from James G. Macallister on September 6, 1944 for $25.00. View details	Realized $1,380
Lot 883		1802 Draped Bust Half Dollar. PCGS graded VF-30. This one will go to someone who loves toned coins. Deep blue and gold surrounds the periphery while the centers and high points remain silvery white. We note moderate hairlines in the fields beneath the toning, possibly from circulation or a later cleaning, either way they are not that distracting given the abundant eye appeal of this coin. Estimated Value $600 - 700. From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on June 3, 1944 for $15.50. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,840
Lot 884		1803 Draped Bust Half Dollar. Small 3. PCGS graded VF-35. A choice coin for the grade, the surfaces are toned with deep blue and gold hues, with brighter silver on the upper devices. Well struck and crisp on all the devices. One any collector will love for its surfaces and color, despite an ancient cleaning. Estimated Value $400 - 500. From the Benson collection and purchased from an unknown source around 1945. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,035
Lot 885		1803 Draped Bust Half Dollar. Large 3. Fine-12. The surfaces have been cleaned and retoned by spending probably 55 years in a Wayte Raymond National Pages album. Surface scratches on both sides visible with a glass. Estimated Value $150 - 175. From the Benson collection and purchased from James G. Macallister around 1945 for $7.50. View details	Realized $265
Lot 886		1805 Draped Bust Half Dollar. 5 over 4. VF-20. Cleaned and retoned by decades in a Wayte Raymond album with deep gold and blue around the edge, bright for the balance. Average surfaces. Estimated Value $400 - 450. From the Benson collection and purchased from James G. Macallister on September 6, 1944 for $7.50. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $920
Lot 887		1805 Draped Bust Half Dollar. Normal date. EF-45. Here is a fascinating coin which exemplifies the joy of carefully sifting through an old time collection. This particular piece represented the "small 5" variety in Dr. Benson's collection. When the coin was turned over, an obvious rim break was noted over AM to the left serif of the E in AMERICA. This rim break has not been reported in the Overton/Parsley reference or elsewhere so far as we know. The die crack continues from the rim above the first A in AMERICA to the top of the C, and there is die rust around the IC and this section of the die appears ready to fall out too. Multiple and heavy clash marks are noted on the obverse. Sharply struck by the dies, save for the dentils above stars nine and ten, which are opposite the full rim cud on the reverse. As to the coin itself, it was cleaned long ago and has retoned with dark gold around the rims, but still bright at the centers. Examination will note a planchet lamination or some sort of surface damage located around the lowest curl on Liberty, where the planchet surface is sunken, porous and lightly scratched by some post minting probing or similar monkey business. Nevertheless, these faults are minor when one considers the rarity and condition of this coin. A foremost opportunity for the bust half specialist to buy what may be the latest die state known of this variety. Estimated Value $750-UP. From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on June 3, 1944 for $3.00 as "Unc." View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,300
Lot 888		1806 Draped Bust Half Dollar. 6 over 5. VF-20. Deep gold at the rims, and we note that the surfaces were cleaned long ago. One rim bump at the top of the reverse. Estimated Value $175 - 225. From the Benson collection and purchased from James G. Macallister on September 6, 1944 for $10.00. View details	Realized $460
Lot 889		1806 Draped Bust Half Dollar. 6 over inverted 6. VF-20. Cleaned and retoned with a green and gold ring around the periphery. Nicely struck, and a late die state with a bisecting vertical crack on the obverse. Estimated Value $550 - 650. From the Benson collection and purchased from James G. Macallister on September 6, 1944 for $20.00. View details	Realized $1,150
Lot 890		1806 Draped Bust Half Dollar. Knobbed 6, large stars. Fine-12. Cleaned and retoned over time with a dark gold ring at the edge. Softly struck on Liberty's bust and the stars opposite on the reverse. Estimated Value $150 - 175. From the Benson collection and purchased from James G. Macallister on September 6, 1944 for $5.00. View details	Realized $276
Lot 891		1806 Draped Bust Half Dollar. Knobbed 6, small stars. VF-20. This is an example of the rare late die state reverse of this variety. We note a reverse rim break in the dentils below the arrow feather ends extending for eight dentils towards UNITED, which is the appearance of a small rim bruise, but this is not the case when the rim is examined. Cleaned and retoned with delicate gold around the rims. A rare variety in any grade, and even more desirable with this small reverse rim break. Estimated Value $250 - 350. From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on June 3, 1944 for $2.00. View details	Realized $345
Lot 892		1806 Draped Bust Half Dollar. Pointed 6, stem through claw. PCGS graded AU-58. Gorgeous blue and gold peripheral toning on this coin, the centers are a pleasing gold color. Sharp for the variety, with excellent details on Liberty's curls and on the eagle too. Minor handling marks and this one was probably cleaned long ago, but with the magnificent toning, is scarcely matters today. Perfect for the variety collector or type specialist. Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000. From the Benson collection and purchased from James G. Macallister in 1944 for $12.00. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,565
Lot 893		1806 Draped Bust Half Dollar. Pointed 6, stem through claw. Fine-12. Struck slightly off center towards 3 o'clock on both sides. Toned with delicate gold at the periphery and white at the centers. Struck from a cracked reverse die, with local weakness around the arrows and left wing of the eagle. Estimated Value $150 - 175. From the Benson collection and purchased from James G. Macallister in 1944 for $3.00. View details	Realized $322
Lot 894		1806 Draped Bust Half Dollar. Pointed 6, stem not through claw. EF-40. Bright and lustrous from an ancient cleaning and retoned now with a dark ring of gold at the edge. A few trivial handling marks, but well struck and appealing for the grade. Struck from rusted dies as always seen on this later die state. Estimated Value $400 - 500. From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on June 3, 1944 for $2.25. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,438
Lot 895		1807 Draped Bust Half Dollar. PCGS graded VF-30. This one was probably dipped long ago, but is now toned with lovely blue and gold around the periphery. Good luster remains and the surfaces are average, and show a few light scratches from circulation. Estimated Value $200 - 250. From the Benson collection and purchased from James G. Macallister on September 6, 1944 for $5.00. View details	Realized $414
Lot 896		1807 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Small stars. VF-20 Cleaned. This one has been polished long ago, but has nicely retoned with dark gray and gold around the periphery, while the centers remain untoned. As to the surfaces, they show no significant contact marks, and the rims are clean. Later die state with the cracks mentioned for the die state. Estimated Value $100 - 125. From the Benson collection and purchased from James G. Macallister on September 6, 1944 for $10.00. View details	Realized $380
Lot 897		1807 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Large stars, 50 over 20. PCGS graded VF-35. One of the classic rarities of the Bust half dollar series, the 50/20 reverse variety is desirable in its own right, but is especially desirable when the obverse die shows the heavy crack which appears to be a goatee on Liberty. This well placed crack long ago earned the name "Bearded Goddess" because of the unusual location connecting Liberty's chin to her chest below. This crack actually extends from her drapery up through the E in LIBERTY, including the area just before her eye. Dark gold peripheral toning with blue and sunset highlights all around. Quite a bit of luster remains, and this adds to the appeal. Minor circulation marks, but no bumps or bangs worthy of note. Estimated Value $1,250 - 1,750. From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed in 1944 for $2.25. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,140
Lot 898		1807 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Large stars, 50 over 20. PCGS graded VF-35. This is the later die state with the crack through the base of date, and die chips on the 7. Dark blue peripheral toning with red and gold highlights, bright at the centers. Typical strike on the curls and eagle. Estimated Value $175 - 250. From the Benson collection and purchased from James G. Macallister on September 6, 1944 for $4.00. View details	Realized $483
Lot 899		1808 Capped Bust Half Dollar. . O-102. PCGS graded MS-64. Bright and lustrous with delicate gold toning around the periphery, and hints of blue mixed in too. Well struck from a cracked obverse die, with most details remarkably sharp. The reverse too, is satiny and lustrous. PCGS has graded 8 this high, with 10 graded higher of the date. Estimated Value $3,750-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $10,350
Lot 900		1808 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Fine-12. Lovely toning at the rims, smooth, even wear and a few minor handling marks. Estimated Value $40 - 45. From the Benson collection and purchased from "Chapman" June 23, 1944 for $2.25. View details	Realized $69
Lot 901		1808 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Fine-12 Cleaned. This one has been harshly cleaned with an abrasive resulting in heavy hairlines on both sides. Toned around the rims. Estimated Value $40 - 45. From the Benson collection and purchased from "Hughes" (probably pre-Bobby) July 26, 1944 for $1.75. View details	Realized $52
Lot 902		1809 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Normal edge. VF-20. Dark blue and green peripheral toning. One small dig near the lower left point of the scroll. Minor weakness in the strike on both sides. Estimated Value $60 - 70. From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on June 3, 1944 for $1.25. View details	Realized $127
Lot 903		1810 Capped Bust Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-62. Steel gray toning on both sides highlighted by dark green and blue on the right side of the obverse and reverse. Flatly struck by the dies, with a few signs of contact on the high points. The planchet shows some minor laminations before Liberty's face. If you love toned coins, here is a nice one for your collection. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,400. From the Benson collection and purchased from James G. Macallister in 1944 for $12.00. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,530
Lot 904		1810 Capped Bust Half Dollar. PCGS graded AU-55. This coin is perfect for the grade, gorgeous toning, good luster and totally problem free. Estimated Value $300 - 400. From the Benson collection and purchased from Hughes (an early incarnation? scary thought) on July 26, 1944 for $3.00. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $834
Lot 905		1811 Capped Bust Half Dollar. 11 over 10. VF-30. Lovely peripheral toning on both sides, while the centers remain untoned. Estimated Value $100 - 120. From the Benson collection and purchased from James G. Macallister on September 6, 1944 for $4.00. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $380
Lot 906		1811 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Small 8. VF-30. Pretty gold and green peripheral toning and nicely preserved aside from minor hairlines. Estimated Value $60 - 70. From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed for $1.40. View details	Realized $127
Lot 907		1811 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Large 8. EF-40. Cleaned long ago (as were virtually all of these) but now toned with blue and gold peripheral hues. Moderate hairlines, as always seen on these Bust half dollars. Estimated Value $100 - 115. From the Benson collection and purchased from Chapman on June 24, 1944 for $4.00. View details	Realized $184
Lot 908		1812 Capped Bust Half Dollar. 2 over 1, small 8. VF-35. Silvery gray at the centers, with darker gold around the periphery. Estimated Value $50 - 60. From the Benson collection and purchased from James G. Macallister on September 6, 1944 for $5.00. View details	Realized $276
Lot 909		1812 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Normal date. MS-63. Gunmetal gray throughout, with clean surfaces for the grade. Note the interesting die crack which the lower loop of 8, top of the second 1, through Liberty's hair, ear, curling out through the sixth star. A crack connects the first seven stars to the bust and date. Nice luster beneath the toning. The edge lettering is partially crushed and indistinct, other areas clear. Estimated Value $1,100 - 1,300. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $949
Lot 910		1812 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Normal date. PCGS graded EF-45. Deep gold toning on both sides and quite lovely overall. We note some stray scratches and a small knock above Liberty's cap, and another left of the lowest pair of olive leaves. Estimated Value $100 - 125. From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on June 3, 1944 for $1.50. View details	Realized $276
Lot 911		1812 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Normal date. The 1812 grades EF-45 but has reverse damage, the 1813 grades VF-30, but was cleaned. The 1812 shows damage around and above the denomination and this area is a bit porous. The 1813 has rather aggressive hairlines. Lot of 2 coins. Estimated Value $100 - 125. From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on June 3, 1944 for $1.50 each. View details	Realized $368
Lot 912		1813 Capped Bust Half Dollar. . O-107. PCGS graded MS-64. Stunning original steel gray and blue toning on this lustrous mint state example. Nearly perfect surfaces too, which is remarkable for a coin of the early period of the bust half dollars. Surprisingly well struck by shattered dies, both the obverse and reverse show several meandering die cracks on both sides. This one even has dentils clashed in Liberty's cap and field above to the right, and the dies must not have been well aligned to cause this. PCGS has graded just 8 this high, with a single coin graded higher of the date, making this one of the very best to survive. Estimated Value $3,200 - 3,700. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,255
Lot 913		1813 Capped Bust Half Dollar. NGC graded MS-62. A rare early date in mint state condition, this one has dark blue around the rim, and gunmetal silver for the balance. Well struck by clashed and cracked dies at the centers, with slight weakness on the reverse opposite Liberty's bust. An impressive example of this variety, which is probably at the low end of the Condition Census for the die pairing. Clean surfaces that show minor handling ticks, none of any consequence. Estimated Value $1,250 - 1,750. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,243
Lot 914		1814 Capped Bust Half Dollar. 4 over 3. PCGS graded AU-50. Glorious luster and nicely preserved throughout, with dark gold toning at the edge, and bright centers. A later die state with several minor cracks, and strongly clashed dies on both sides. Estimated Value $500 - 600. From the Benson collection and purchased from French's on July 24, 1944 for $4.00. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $834
Lot 915		1814 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Normal. EF-40. Cleaned long ago with the usual minor hairlines in the fields and on the devices, but now toned with radiant gold and blue shades around the periphery. Estimated Value $100 - 125. From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on June 3, 1944 for $1.50. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $242
Lot 916		1815 Capped Bust Half Dollar. 5 over 2. PCGS graded EF-45. This is actually a middle die state, with the reverse starting to crack, and strong clash marks are noted on the reverse. Half dollar production slowed drastically during the 1812-1815 period as the American public and Philadelphia Mint were distracted with the War of 1812. By 1814 the British had invaded and burned much of Washington D.C. so all gold and silver was hoarded and not turned over to the Mint for coinage. Thus, only 47,150 half dollars were struck in 1815, using one pair of dies, the obverse having been dated 1812 and overdated when it was finally used. The Mint delivered the 1815 half dollars on January 10, 1816, the day before the Mint fire which destroyed the rolling mills thus ending gold and silver coinage for many months. We note delightful hues of blue, yellow and gold around the obverse, bright at the center, on the reverse the toning is more yellow, with an irregular shaped area on the lower reverse. Clean surfaces and highly appealing for this rare date. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500. From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on June 3, 1944 for $16.00. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,450
Lot 917		1817 Capped Bust Half Dollar. 7 over 3. PCGS graded VF-25. Steel gray in the fields, lighter on the devices. Average surfaces for the grade. Estimated Value $250 - 300. From the Benson collection and purchased from James G. Macallister on September 6, 1944 for $5.00. View details	Realized $414
Lot 918		1817 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Dated 181.7. Fine-15. Bright at the centers and untoned, the periphery is bathed in deep blue and gold surrounding. Certainly cleaned long ago, but nicely recovered. Estimated Value $35 - 45. From the Benson collection and purchased from James G. Macallister on April 4, 1945 for $7.50. View details	Realized $196
Lot 919		1817 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Normal. PCGS graded MS-64. One of the highlights from the Benson collection, this stunning blue and gray toned boasts excellent surfaces and abundant eye appeal. Fully struck on the stars and eagle, with minor weakness noted on just a few of the obverse curls. Examination will note very few signs of contact, and the fields and face of Liberty are exceptional, even for this grade. Certainly one of the finest of this variety, as well as for the entire date. PCGS has graded 5 this high, with just 3 graded higher. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500. From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed in 1944 for $1.50. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $5,520
Lot 920		1817 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Normal. EF-40. Struck from clashed dies, with outlines of the central elements on the opposing die. Silver white at the centers, deep blue and gold at the rims. Problem free, save for a minor cleaning decades ago. Estimated Value $100 - 125. From the Benson collection and purchased from Chapman on June 24, 1944 for $2.00. View details	Realized $242
Lot 921		1817 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Normal. VF-20. Bright gold around the rims, with blue and green highlights on the obverse, the reverse with just a bit of gold at the edge. Estimated Value $50 - 60. From the Benson collection and purchased from Chapman on June 24, 1944 for $2.00. View details	Realized $121
Lot 922		1817 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Normal. Fine-15. Wonderful toning on the obverse, and typical surfaces otherwise. Estimated Value $40 - 50. From the Benson collection and purchased from Chapman on June 24, 1944 for $2.00. View details	Realized $104
Lot 923		1819 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Small 9 over 8. AU-55. A trifle softly struck but with plenty of mint luster remaining. Attractively toned. Estimated Value $300 - 350. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $529
Lot 924		1818 Capped Bust Half Dollar. 8 over 7, small 8. AU-50. This one has been cleaned, with rather heavy hairlines on the surfaces. Toned back with blotches of yellow gold, mostly on the obverse. Still a decent example of the variety. Estimated Value $150 - 200. From the Benson collection and purchased June 3, 1944 from Ira S. Reed for $1.60. View details	Realized $311
Lot 925		1818 Capped Bust Half Dollar. 8 over 7, large 8. . O-103. Sharpness of AU-50. A needle sharp strike with plenty of eye-appeal. We note under strong magnification an attempt was made to remove a mint caused defect on the neck. Estimated Value $250 - 300. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $426
Lot 926		1818 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Normal. PCGS graded AU-58. Medium smoky gray on the obverse, with green and blue evenly distributed on the reverse. Examination will note minor tick marks on the left side of the reverse. Highly eye appealing for the grade. Estimated Value $200 - 250. From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on June 3, 1944 for $1.50. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $776
Lot 927		1818 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Normal. PCGS graded AU-50. This one has radiant blue peripheral toning on the obverse and decent luster in the fields. Clean surfaces for the grade, and well struck by the dies. Estimated Value $200 - 250. From the Benson collection and purchased from French's July 24, 1944 for $2.00. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $334
Lot 928		1818 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Normal. VF-20 Cleaned. There is a hidden rubber band burn across the lower obverse, and a much lighter one through Liberty's cap. In addition we note a central pin scratch that runs horizontally through the obverse. On the positive side, the coin is toned with magnificent peripheral toning. Estimated Value $25 - 30. From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on June 3, 1944 for $1.50. View details	Realized $46
Lot 929		1819 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Large 9 over 8. PCGS graded AU-50. Steel gray for the most part, with darker hues at the top of the obverse, bottom of the reverse. Nicely struck from a clashed obverse die. Moderate hairlines. Estimated Value $275 - 325. From the Benson collection and purchased from Hughes on July 26, 1944 for $2.00. View details	Realized $403

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