Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 81

The Pre-Long Beach Sale

Franklin Half Dollars

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 927		1948. NGC graded MS-68 Full Bell Lines. Star. Wonderful original toning on both sides. The best we have ever seen. The only Franklin Half ever graded this high. On the cover of Whitman Franklin/Kennedy book, second edition. Pop 1; none finer at NGC. Designed by John R. Sinnock. According to Donald Taxay's studies of this subject, "It is said that Mint Director Nellie Tayloe Ross envisioned a Benjamin Franklin coin after the issue of Sinnock's Franklin medal in 1933. It was not, however, until 1948, after four presidential portraits had been adopted on the coinage, that the Director asked Sinnock to design a Franklin half dollar. Sinnock modified his earlier profile, and adopted for the reverse of the coin the Liberty bell device on his 1926 U.S.A. sesquicentennial half dollar. To meet legal requirements, a diminutive eagle was placed to the right of the bell." The Commission on Fine Arts objected to the small eagle, but "possibly in deference to Sinnock the Commission's ideas were rejected, and their records show nothing further concerning the Franklin half dollar." This was Sinnock's last work. At the request of Mint Director Nellie Tayloe Ross, he completed the obverse and reverse models only a few weeks before his death (May 1947). The half-dollar design was legally changeable any time after July 1, 1941, but escalated wartime demands for coins occasioned the delay. Estimated Value $40,000-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 928		1948. PCGS graded MS-66 Full Bell Lines. CAC Approved. A stunning gem with the obverse borders exhibiting a ring of golden toning and the reverse is covered with vivid deep reddish-golden sunset toning. A beauty worthy of a premium bid. Pop 367; 20 higher with 16 in 66+, 4 in 67 (PCGS # 86651) . Estimated Value $500-UP. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $705
Lot 929		1949-D. NGC graded MS-65 Full Bell Lines. Bright and frosty. Pop 172; 10 finer, 1 in 65, 1 in 65+, 7 in 66, 1 in 66. Estimated Value $300 - 350. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $306
Lot 930		1949-S. PCGS graded MS-66. Nicely toned. Pulled from an original mint set. Pop 245; 14 finer, 10 in 66+, 4 in 67. (PCGS # 6655) . Estimated Value $120 - 130. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $129
Lot 931		1950. PCGS graded Proof 67 CAC Approved. A glittering all white superb gem proof. Only 51,386 proofs struck. Pop 37; 1 finer in 67+. (PCGS # 6691) . Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 932		1950. PCGS graded Proof 67. A brilliant Gem Proof with a couple of natural toning streaks on the obverse. Only 51,386 minted. Pop 39; 1 finer in 67+ (PCGS # 6691) . Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,300. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,469
Lot 933		1950. PCGS graded Proof 65. Fully white. Only 51,386 struck (PCGS # 6691) . Estimated Value $350 - 375. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 934		1950-D. PCGS graded MS-66 Full Bell Lines. A brilliant creamy white gem. Pop 63; 7 finer in 66+ (PCGS # 86657) . Estimated Value $750-UP. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $676
Lot 935		1951. PCGS graded Proof 65 Deep Cameo. CAC Approved. A truly gorgeous snow white coin. Pop 11; 17 finer, 15 in 66, 1 in 66+, 1 in 67. (PCGS # 96692) . Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,468
Lot 936		1951. PCGS graded Proof 66+. Fully white gem. Only 57,500 struck (PCGS # 6692) . Estimated Value $350 - 375. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $435
Lot 937		1951-S. PCGS graded MS-65+ Full Bell Lines. A frosty white gem (PCGS # 86660) . Estimated Value $450 - 500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $435
Lot 938		1951-S. PCGS graded MS-66. Frosty with toning forming about the borders. Pop 167; 9 finer, 6 in 66+, 3 in 67 (PCGS # 6660) . Estimated Value $200 - 251. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $188
Lot 939		1952-S. PCGS graded MS-67 PQ. CAC Approved. Lovely original mint set toning. Almost Full Bell Lines. An unbelievable Superb Gem with excellent luster and surfaces that are free from the usual luster grazes seen on the coins that were bagged up and sent off to banks. These ex Mint Set pieces set the standard for beauty and toning originality. Struck with meticulous care by the dies as seen in the Liberty Bell�s lines. Pop 8; 1 finer in 67+ (PCGS # 6663) . Estimated Value $2,700 - 2,900. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 940		1953. PCGS graded Proof 67 Cameo. CAC Approved. Blast white Gem Proof coin. Pop 115; 7 finer in 68. (PCGS # 86694) . Estimated Value $750 - 800. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $734
Lot 941		1953-S. PCGS graded MS-67. CAC Approved. PQ. Lovely light toning around the obverse rims. Superb in every way. Pop 13; none finer at PCGS. (PCGS # 6666) . Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,820
Lot 942		1954-D. NGC graded MS-67 Full Bell Lines. A superb well struck white gem with hints of toning just starting to form. Destined to fit into a top Registry Set. Pop 2; none finer at NGC . Estimated Value $7,500-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,465
Lot 943		1955. PCGS graded Proof 68 Deep Cameo. Incredible contrast between devices and fields on both sides and extraordinary smooth surfaces. Pop 19; none finer, tied for finest graded at PCGS. (PCGS # 96696) . Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $4,994
Lot 944		1955. NGC graded Proof 69 Cameo. Blast white gem cameo proof. Pop 11; 3 finer in 69 Star. Estimated Value $1,800 - 2,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 945		1955. PCGS graded Proof 67 Deep Cameo. A nice white coin. Pop 54; 19 finer in 68. (PCGS # 96696) . Estimated Value $1,100 - 1,200. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $969
Lot 946		1956. NGC graded MS-67 Full Bell Lines. Magnificent sunset toning on both sides. A candidate for a top quality Registry Set of Franklins. Pop 4; none finer at NGC. Estimated Value $1,300 - 1,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,528
Lot 947		1956. PCGS graded MS-66 Full Bell Lines. Delicate shades of violet toning on both sides. Pop 684; 32 finer with 15 in 66+, 16 in 67, 1 in 67+ (PCGS # 86671) . Estimated Value $200 - 250. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $141
Lot 948		1956. NGC graded MS-66 Full Bell Lines. Attractive shades of light violet hues graces the surfaces on both sides. Pop168; 7 finer with 2 in 66+ and 1 in 66+*. Estimated Value $200 - 250. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $235
Lot 949		1956. Type 1. PCGS graded Proof 68 Cameo. Extraordinary smooth mercury-like surfaces on both sides. The mirrors deep and highly reflective. Pop 36; none finer at PCGS. (PCGS # 86686) . Estimated Value $4,000 - 5,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,585
Lot 950		1957. PCGS graded MS-66. Lovely multi-color tones featuring violet and blue on both sides. Pop 817; 21 finer, 6 in 66+, 14 in 67, 1 in 67+ (PCGS # 6672) . Estimated Value $80 - 90. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $65
Lot 951		1958. PCGS graded MS-66+FBL Gold Sticker. CAC Approved. Nice obverse toning. From an original mint set. Should be a point higher in grade. Pop 5; 13 finer, 12 in 67, 1 in 67+ (PCGS # 86674) . Estimated Value $750-UP. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,468
Lot 952		1958. NGC graded MS-66. Attractive "tab" steel blue toning on both sides. Pop 972; 42 finer at NGC. Estimated Value $80 - 90. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $76
Lot 953		1958. NGC graded MS-66. Soft pastel toning on both sides adds to its appeal. Pop 972; 47 finer at NGC. Estimated Value $70 - 80. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $76
Lot 954		1958. NGC graded MS-66. Attractive toning is starting to form. Pop 972; 47 finer at NGC. Estimated Value $70 - 80. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $82
Lot 955		1958. PCGS graded MS-66 PQ. CAC Approved. Lovely toning on both sides (PCGS # 6674) . Estimated Value $50 - 60. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $82
Lot 956		1958-D. NGC graded MS-67. Star. Incredible multi-color toning on both sides featuring a full spectrum of rainbow colors. Worthy of a record bid. Pop 10; none finer at NGC. Estimated Value $500-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $705
Lot 957		1959. PCGS graded Proof 67 Deep Cameo. A blast white Gem Proof coin. Try finding many others with this depth of Cameo contrast! Super deep and frosty white, like fresh-fallen snow. (Everyone bidding from the Midwest to the Eastern Seaboard remembers this last winter's freshly fallen snow!) Pop 6; 2 finer, 1 in 68, 1 in 69. (PCGS # 96700) . Note: The Franklin Half Dollar was the final work of their designer, Mint Engraver John R. Sinnock. At the request of Mint Director Nellie Tayloe Ross, he completed the obverse and reverse models only a few weeks before his passing in May 1947. The half-dollar design was legally changeable any time after July 1, 1941, but escalated wartime demands for coins occasioned the delay until 1948. Sinnock's initials JRS can be found on the bust trunction. Estimated Value $7,000 - 8,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $9,400
Lot 958		1959. NGC graded Proof 69 Cameo. An amazing coin with mercury-like surfaces, very close to perfect. Pop 4; 1 finer in 69 Star. Estimated Value $7,000-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 959		1960. NGC graded Proof 69 Cameo. A near perfect white gem proof coin. Pop 14; 1 finer in 69 Star. Estimated Value $1,500-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 960		1960. NGC graded Proof 69 Star. A blast white gem of perfection with a full Cameo obverse. For the finest quality Franklin Set. Pop 13; none finer at NGC . Estimated Value $700 - 800. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $764
Lot 961		1961. PCGS graded Proof 68 Deep Cameo. CAC Approved. A blast white gem. Pop 83; 1 finer in 69. (PCGS # 96702) . Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,300. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 962		1961. Doubled die. PCGS graded Proof 66 Cameo. CAC Approved. Fully white gem. The United States Mint at Philadelphia uses a four-step process when preparing a die to strikes coins: Master Hub-Master Die-Working Hub-Working Die. Proofs or business strikes, obverse or reverse, working dies used to strike coins exist because of this process. If you get confused and shake your head after reading the following, please blame someone else. Here goes: A Master Hub is used to make one or several Master Dies. Then one of these Master Dies is used to make some Working Hubs. Finally, a Working Hub is used to create the Working Dies which will strike the coins. Sound complicated? There is a logic behind this. It is to safeguard the precious original Master Hub by letting the intermediary hubs and dies take the beating. Recall that a Master Hub has to last the entire duration of a coin's design if possible, in the case of the Franklin Half Dollar, from 1948 to 1963. It would appear that when one of the working hubs was put through the hubbing press to create a working die for this 1961 Proof, it had to be pressed multiple times to ensure a proper impression. Through human error, it pivoted slightly between the press runs, causing what is known as a Type 5 doubled die or a Pivot Double die, the type of error seen here on the Reverse die. During the 1950s and 1960s, a working die would be used for a maximum of 4,000 Proof coins before being retired. This suggests the maximum number of 1961 Doubled Die Reverse Franklin Half Dollars minted is 4,000. The fact that this doubled die effect occurs on a Franklin, the largest denomination in 1961, and it was a Proof coin, both make having a doubled die variation very rare and special. Pop 1; 1 finer in 67. (PCGS # 86689) . Estimated Value $10,000 - 12,000. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Unsold
Lot 963		A lot of Franklin Half Dollars. From 1948 to 1963-D. A lot of 6 sets. Each set is choice AU to BU. A total of $105 face value in silver. Estimated Value $1,600 - 1,700. View details	Realized $2,350
Lot 964		A lot of Franklin Half Dollars. Coins will grade AU to BU. Some better coins. Lot of 122 coins. Estimated Value $700 - 750. View details	Realized $1,469
Lot 965		A group of graded BU Franklin Halves. From 1948 to 1963. Consist of: PCGS holders (12); NGC holders (20); ANACS holders (1). Many are graded FBL. A nice group. Lot of 33 coins. Estimated Value $500-UP. View details	Realized $1,293