Commems Collection Classic: J. Simpson Dean Collection

In January 1996, Heritage Numismatic Auctions presented the 1996 FUN Sale, Of note to collectors of the classic series of US commemorative coins, the auction featured the silver commemorative coin collection of J. (Junius) Simpson Dean, Jr. In the introduction to the auction, it was stated "Among the coins offered you will find numerous examples which are "finest known" or "tied for finest known."



A few choice examples in the auction:

- 1920 & 1921 Pilgrim Tercentenary: PCGS MS-67
- 1923 Monroe Doctrine Centennial: PCGS MS-67
- 1924 Huguenot-Walloon Tercentenary: PCGS MS-67
- 1936 Columbia, SC Sesquicentennial: P/D/S Set - PCGS MS 67/68/68
- 1937 Battle of Antietam 75th Anniversary: PCGS MS-68
- 1937 Roanoke Colony Memorial: PCGS MS-68

Dean was the son of Junius Simpson Dean, Sr. and Pauline Dean DuPont (Yes, THAT DuPont!). He was born in 1927 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was raised in Wilmington, Delaware. Later in life, he split his time between residences in Delaware and Florida. He died in March 2014.

It appears that Dean was able to benefit from the DuPont business interests and fortune which enabled him to pursue expensive hobbies. In addition to collecting coins of the "finest quality he could find," Dean also collected rare automobiles and raised thoroughbred race horses. According to the auction catalog, he also enjoyed collecting hippopotamus figures (his only active collection at the time of the auction).

While the Dean collection included many exceptional coins, one commemorative coin, in particular, stands out (IMO) - a rare 1922 US Grant Birth Centenary Half Dollar, with Star variety in Proof 64 (PCGS) condition. The coin has the same sandblast (satiny) finish seen on some earlier US proof coins, and would be seen again on the more well-known 1928 Hawaiian (European) Discovery Sesquicentennial Half Dollar Sandblast Proof coins. The coin's steel-gray surfaces are even and pristine and do not have any of the die polishing marks seen on business strike examples.

The successful bidder pair $31,900 - with 10% Buyer's Premium included - for the coin (i.e., a $29,000 Hammer Price). The coins remains the only one graded by PCGS -



The J. Simpson Dean Collection - an impressive, if somewhat unheralded, coin cabinet!


For more of my stories about commemorative coins and medals, including more notable collection/auction stories, see: Commems Collection.