Q. David Bowers
Today Boone coins are highly prized in view of the restricted distribution of certain issues, particularly the famous 1935 Denver and San Francisco coins with "small 1934" and the 1938 set of three pieces. While most collectors desire but a single Boone to illustrate the type, there are enough specialists who want one of each date and mintmark to insure a ready market whenever the scarcer sets come up for sale.
Most surviving Boone coins are in varying degrees of Mint State with MS-64 and MS-65 pieces readily available for most issues. Early issues in the series are characterized by deep frosty mint lustre, whereas issues toward the end of the run, particularly 1937 and 1938, often are seen with a satin finish and relatively little lustre, because of the methods of die preparation and striking.
GRADING SUMMARY: In general, these were carefully handled at the time of minting and distribution, but scattered marks are often seen, particularly on the portrait of Boone on the obverse. On the reverse the left shoulder of the Indian is a point where friction is sometimes seen. Earlier issues such as 1934 and 1935 are often more lustrous and frosty than those toward the end of the series, which tend to be of a somewhat satiny appearance.
Commemorating: 200th anniversary of the birth of Daniel Boone
Obverse motif: Portrait of Daniel Boone
Reverse motif: Standing figures of Boone and Indian
Authorization date: May 26, 1934
Date on coins: 1934
Date when coins were actually minted: 1934
Mint used: Philadelphia
Maximum quantity authorized: 600,000 (for total of all issues 1934 and onward)
Total quantity minted (including assay coins): 10,007
Assay coins (included in above): 7
Quantity melted: None
Net number distributed (including assay coins): 10,007
Issued by: Daniel Boone Bicentennial Commission (and its division, the Pioneer National
Monument Association), Phoenix Hotel, Lexington, Kentucky (c. Frank Dunn, "sole
distributor") (Officers were: Samuel M. Wilson, Lexington, Kentucky, president; Keen Johnson, Richmond, Kentucky, vice-president; Innes B. Ross, Carlisle, Kentucky, secretary treasurer (per 1935 letterhead in the Bowers and Merena Galleries Reference Collection).
Standard original packaging: Paper envelope; Dennison insert-type cardboard holder with paper flap fastened over the coin; B. Max: Mehl distributed (unofficially) coins in a special hard-formed box with his imprint on the top of the interior
Official sale price: $1.60
Designer of obverse and reverse: Augustus Lukeman
Interesting fact: Of the many varieties of Boone Bicentennial half dollars made from 1934 to 1938 this is the only one with true bicentennial status.
(average market prices)
1935 MS-63 to 64 $2.50
1936 (summer) MS-63 to 64 $3
1940 MS-63 to 64 $2
1945 MS-63 to 64 $2
1950 MS-63 to 64 $2
1955 MS-63 to 64 $ 5
1960 MS-63 $8
1965 MS-63 $16
1970 MS-63 $25
1975 MS-63 $50
1980 MS-63 $230
1985 MS-63 $170
1986 MS-60 $120, MS-63 $235, MS-64 $380, MS-65 $750
1990 (spring) MS-60 $120, MS-63 $130, MS-64 $185, MS-65 $530
1990 (December) MS-60 $100, MS-63 $120, MS-64 $150, MS-65 $290
(Also see preceding listing)
Date on coins: 1935
Date when coins were actually minted: 1935
Mints used: Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco
Maximum quantity authorized: 600,000 (for total of all issues 1934 and onward)
Total quantity minted (including assay coins): 10,010 Philadelphia, 5,005 Denver, 5,005 San Francisco
Assay coins (included in above): 10 Philadelphia, 5 Denver, 5 San Francisco
Quantity melted: None
Net number distributed (including assay coins): 10,010 Philadelphia, 5,005 Denver, 5,005 San Francisco
Standard original packaging: Paper envelopes stamped P, D, and S; rubber-stamped cardboard holders of the insert type; triangular holder made by Lindly Box Co.; all items have Dunn's imprint (these same holder types were also used in later years)
Official sale price: $1.10 for the Philadelphia issue; $1.60 each for the Denver and San Francisco coins
Interesting fact: This was the first of a number of three-mint Boone sets.
(average market prices)
1935 MS-63 to 64 $7.50
1936 (summer) MS-63 to 64 $10
1940 MS-63 to 64 $8.50
1945 MS-63 to 64 $11
1950 MS-63 to 64 $10
1955 MS-63 to 64 $16
1960 MS-63 $ 26
1965 MS-63 $48
1970 MS-63 $50
1975 MS-63 $120
1980 MS-63 $600
1985 MS-63 $500
1986 MS-60 $350, Ms-63 $720, MS-64 $1,200, MS-65 $2,000
1990 (spring) MS-60 $320, MS-63 $380, MS-64 $550, MS-65 $1,500
1990 (December) MS-60 $280, MS-63 $320, MS-64 $410, MS-65 $775
Note: Single 1935 Philadelphia Mint Boone coins, of higher mintage than the 1935 Denver and San Francisco pieces, are valued approximately the same as the 1934 Philadelphia Mint Boone single coin. In the early years, until the 1960s, the Philadelphia Mint coin was usually listed by itself in dealers' advertisements, and the D and S coins were listed as a separate pair. For continuity and conformity to present-day standards the three are listed here as a set.