Feb. 16, 2001, The Benson Collection Part 1, Sale 8
Lot 82
1786 Vermont Copper.
"Vermontensium". Ryder-6. PCGS graded EF-40. Choice light brown in
color with just a few minor planchet flaws, one near the rim into the
mountains, and weakly struck on the reverse at this area too. Well struck on
the landscape and plow, with all seven trees clear, and the Sun peaking over
the mountains in full view over the lonely plow awaiting the farmer to finish
milking the cows. The landscape design proved confusing to the local populace,
and soon the coinage began to look more like the British coins then in
circulation. Well centered, struck and preserved, and certainly in the top ten
percent of those to survive. Don't pass up the many superb colonials offered in
this sale.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,200.
Lot 83
1786 Vermont Copper.
"Vermontensium". PCGS graded EF-40. The planchet has some minor
roughness from the rolling process, but the coin boasts a medium brown color
and choice surfaces otherwise. We note a die crack up through the middle of the
date, and a small lamination at the top of the highest tree in the landscape.
On the reverse, it is struck about 10 percent off-center. Fully struck on the
important landscape feature, and this is a rare coin graded this high.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,200.
Lot 84
1786 Vermont Copper. Baby
head. SEGS graded VG-8. This variety is very rare, and always is
found in low grade. The weight is reported to be 101.2 grains on the SEGS
holder. We note light pits on the obverse, mostly hidden near the devices, and
these blend well into the surfaces. The relief is very low on the coin, the
dies simply did not have much definition to them. Minor roughness on both
sides, typical of copper, and toned a bit lighter than dark olive. Rare and
desirable, even in this grade.
Estimated Value $250-300.
Lot 85
1788 Vermont Copper, bust
right, one obverse star. RR 27. PCGS graded EF-45. Evenly toned with
medium chocolate brown on both sides, and well struck for this variety. The
surfaces show a couple of faint scratches, one on the neck, and another thin
one crossing the bust into the right obverse field, both of which can scarcely
be seen without a glass. Struck at the Machin's Mills mint in New York, and one
of the better quality coins produced in that facility. Splendid surfaces and
preservation, free of the usual copper problems that are so often seen.
Estimated Value $500-750.
No provenance information included, but
put away likely in the 1940s.
Lot 86
1788 Vermont Copper.
"Georgius III Rex", RR 31. PCGS graded EF-40. The obverse is well
struck for this notoriously poorly struck coin, while the reverse shows
characteristic weakness. On the reverse, a planchet crack is noted through IND
which continues into the right peripheral lettering. Medium brown and choice in
color and surfaces. This is one of the tough varieties to find, in fact PCGS
has only graded 2 coins of this die pairing, this one and one graded between
VG-VF (no numerical grades are provided by PCGS in these grade ranges, just the
total number of coins in the VG-VF range is noted in the Population Report).
Struck while the reverse die was rotated counter clockwise about 70 degrees.
One of the few seen that shows the date, although the lower third of the last
digit is missing from a slightly off-center strike. Don't expect to find a
better one, they may not exist.
Estimated Value $3,000-UP.
No
provenance information provided.
Lot 87
1781 North American Token.
PCGS graded AU-50. Medium brown in color but the surfaces show some
mottled porosity, especially on the left side of the obverse. Minor weakness on
the back of the ship, as usual for the issue.
Estimated Value $600-800.
Lot 88
1781 North American Token.
PCGS graded VF-25. Some minor defects on the upper obverse all
blending well into the patina. Darkish steel brown. Well struck, with all
devices sharp and well preserved.
Estimated Value $175-250.
Lot 89
1787 Auctori Plebis Token.
PCGS graded VF-35. These were apparently made around 1788 or so in
England for the American market, most likely ordered by a merchant from New
York or Philadelphia. The obverse legend means "By authority of the commoners"
and the reverse "Independence and Liberty", copied from the Connecticut coppers
in circulation at the time. This one has the usual shallow engraving on the
central obverse, the dies were carelessly prepared, while the lettering is
punched deep into the die. On the reverse, there is a die crack up from the end
of the stick curling over Liberty's head. Medium brown to reddish hues in
color, which has probably been cleaned in the distant past. A glass will note a
few stray handling marks, nothing deep or worthy of particular note. Long
listed in the Guide Book keeps these in popular demand by colonial
collectors.
Estimated Value $350-450.
Ex: Stack's 10/21/44 at $5.
Lot 90
"1789" Mott Token. Thick
planchet, plain edge, 168.8 grains. PCGS graded AU-58. This one was
struck from rusted and broken dies so many details are not as crisp as on early
die state coins. Medium brown in color, with minor surface marks from handling
or brief circulation. Some weakness is noted on the eagle. It is unknown when
these were struck, and the thick planchet coins were struck to the weight of
the large cents.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,200.
Lot 91
(c.1792-1794) Kentucky Token
Cent. Plain edge, Electrotype. MS-63 Brown. A curious example of an
early electrotype, made by taking the impression of an original coin and making
a mold of the obverse and reverse, then casting the piece in lead, one side at
a time. The obverse and reverse are then glued together, and the edge is
usually filed down to hide the seam where the two pieces were attached.
Electrotypes always "fail" the ring test, by lightly tapping the coin on a hard
surface, a struck coin will produce a tone like a bell, while an electrotype
produces a dull "thud" by comparison. Electrotypes have been highly collectible
in recent decades, as original coins have increased in value far beyond many
collectors ability to purchase them. The surfaces are quite lovely, medium red
and brown in color, with a few areas of minor porosity.
Estimated Value
$50-UP.
Purchased from Ira Reed on 1/18/45 for $5 as "Unc."
Lot 92
(c.1792-1794) Kentucky Token
Cent. Engrailed edge. PCGS graded AU-58. These tokens were struck in
England in 1792-94 for import to the United States. Some have plain edges,
others were "payable at..." edges. This is one of the engrailed edge pieces,
which is the rarest edge device made. Apparently this variety did not
circulate, as the six graded by PCGS are all in AU-58 (3 coins), or mint state
(highest, MS-63). The design is attributed to Kentucky as the letter "K" is at
the top of the pyramid of state stars. Sharply struck and well preserved, with
even brown luster on both sides. One minor planchet crack across the obverse
above the hand. Undiminished by time or circumstance, this important colonial
issue is certain to attract intense competition.
Estimated Value
$750-1,000.
No provenance information was included, but likely purchased
in the 1940s.
Lot 93
(c.1792-1794) Kentucky Token
Cent. Lettered edge, "LANCASTER". PCGS graded MS-63 Brown. A choice
coin that boasts a sharp strike and medium to light brown color. Trouble-free
in every way, and certain to bring a strong price. Hints of original red are
noted on both sides. An exciting example of this historic cent.
These tokens
are also known as the "starry pyramid halfpence" (Breen) and are so named
because of the Masonic symbolism. The pyramid consists of 15 blazing suns or
stars, each stamped with the initial of one of the states. As Kentucky was
admitted as the fifteenth state in 1792 (and there are 15 stars), that almost
certainly dates this token from 1792 to June 1796, when Tennessee was admitted
as the sixteenth state. The obverse legend states UNANIMITY IS THE STRENGTH OF
SOCIETY is a pep talk for the new nation. On the scroll is OUR CAUSE IS JUST,
which is a bit late as the Revolutionary War had been over for nearly ten years
when this was made, and it likely refers to some other cause. On the reverse, E
PLURIBUS UNUM is from the Great Seal of the United States, and translates "out
of many, one" referring to the stable configuration of states into one union.
The engraver of this masterpiece is almost certainly John Gregory Hancock,
Sr., the child prodigy who worked at Obadiah Westwood's Birmingham Mint.
Hancock was probably 17 years old when this token was produced, a few years
after he engraved the delightful Washington multidenominational patterns in
1792 and many other fabulous pieces which are so well represented in the Benson
Collection.
A great number of these Kentucky tokens (usually with the plain
edge) circulated in the United States for many years, along the Eastern
Seaboard, while the Philadelphia Mint's cents remained unfamiliar curiosities
(Breen). Apparently the plain edge tokens were struck for import for various
Philadelphia merchants, while the lettered edge pieces were made for English
token collectors, and are much better preserved as such.
Estimated Value
$700-1,000.
Purchased from Ira Reed on 1/18/45 for $5.
Lot 94
(c.1792-1794) Kentucky Token
Cent. Lettered edge, "LANCASTER". PCGS graded EF-45. Sharper by five
points but cleaned and nicely retoned to a medium dark steel brown. No other
problems worthy of mention. Light wear on the central scroll, but at least half
the lettering is visible to clear.
Estimated Value $250-350.
Lot 95
(c.1792-1794) Kentucky Token
Cent. Lettered edge, "LANCASTER". EF-45. Well struck, but the
surfaces show mottled toning and some encrustations from poor storage. We also
note some minor rim ticks on the reverse. Many of these tokens did circulate in
America around the time of issue.
Estimated Value $450-600.
Lot 96
1794 Franklin Press Token.
PCGS graded MS-65 Brown. This is the finest graded by PCGS and the
only coin is this grade category. In the RB category, the best seen is MS-64.
Therefore this may be one of the very finest known of the issue. Hints of mint
red near the devices and lettering, and superb quality, the fields and devices
show no signs of handling or spotting, and no porosity whatsoever. If you
demand the best, then here it is.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,000.
Lot 97
1794 Franklin Press Token.
PCGS graded MS-63 Brown. Glossy and medium chocolate brown in color,
with excellent surfaces that show only trivial signs of contact. Always
important and popular with collectors because of the Franklin connection. In
fact, Franklin had worked at the printing shop on London in 1726, and visited
later in life. The Latin inscription around the press states "Thus learning is
disseminated and liberty shall spring forth", which fits Franklin's belief in
the power of the printed word.
This choice example has the usual die break
at the press. Only six graded this high by PCGS, with 5 graded higher.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,200.
Lot 98
1794 Franklin Press Token.
PCGS graded AU-55. Dark chocolate brown in color in the fields of
the obverse and reverse, lighter color on the devices. Boldly struck and with
only a few minor handling marks. One lighter spot on the left obverse field,
and with some very minor areas of dark green patina in the obverse lettering.
Well centered and preserved.
Estimated Value $800-1,000.
Purchased
from Ira S. Reed in July 1944, for $2, as "V. Fine".
Lot 99
1794 Franklin Press Token.
Del Bland graded AU-50. With some planchet roughness on the reverse
visible only under magnification and a planchet clip at K9. Medium dark steel
brown with the faintest evidence of faded mint color. The obverse die was
crumbling below the press in the lower lettering. Popular due to its
association with Benjamin Franklin, American collectors have long included this
in their colonial sets.
Estimated Value $300-400.
Lot 100
1794 Talbot, Allum & Lee
Token Cent. With NEW YORK. VF-30. There is a minor obverse scratch
located in the left field, toned over and very thin. On the reverse, there is a
minor edge mark above the &. Medium brown in color and nevertheless pleasing
for the grade.
Estimated Value $75-125.
No provenance information
included.
Lot 101
1795 Talbot, Allum & Lee
Token Cent. PCGS graded MS-65 Red and Brown. Full mint red toning to
brown with traces of darker toning, mostly on the obverse which displays a long
vertical die crack left of Liberty. A common type but rarely seen with this
much mint color. Tied with a total of 3 as the finest graded by PCGS, only a
single coin qualifies for full "Red", that being an MS-64. With this much
original red, it is likely that this is the best to survive.
Estimated
Value $1,500-2,500.
Lot 102
1795 Talbot, Allum & Lee
Token Cent. PCGS graded MS-63 Red and Brown. Nearly full mint red,
with just a bit of mellowing on the obverse, makes this a very rare condition
indeed. The reverse has more toning, but retains most of the original red in
abundance. We note a minor planchet flake (still attached) from the rim just
missing the bottom left of the L of LIBERTY. One minor spot over the E of
COMMERCE. On the reverse, there is some minor raised black verdigris hidden in
the ships rigging, and scattered in a few of the letters (this is minor). An
important type coin to find in such high grade.
Estimated Value $750-1,000.
No provenance information was provided, but likely purchased in the
1940s.
Lot 103
1795 Talbot, Allum & Lee
Token Cent. PCGS graded MS-63 Brown. Satiny brown luster and sharply
struck on a clean planchet. Well struck on the ship and with one faint
fingerprint on the reverse. Nice for the grade.
Estimated Value $700-900.
Lot 104
1796 Castorland Silver
Medal. Unbroken die. PCGS graded AU-55. One of the original medals
struck in Paris for a proposed colony in New York. As the French Revolution
unfolded in 1792, many people desired a more peaceful existence, and a company
was formed to sell French expatriates land in upper New York. The founders of
the company apparently stole most of the money, and the few settlers met with
exceptional hardships due to the severe winter of 1794-5, and again the
following year. Many left the area and moved to Louisiana and elsewhere.
Eventually, the company folded. Nevertheless, these coins were struck, and
being good silver circulated for many years. This particular coin boasts a
choice antique gray tone, with boldly struck devices on both sides. A glass
will note a few scattered handling marks, but nothing of consequence. One of
the more beautiful of the colonial issues, and worthy of a high bid.
Estimated Value $3,500-4,000.
Purchased from Ira S. Reed 5/16/45 for
$35.00 as "Orig. Unc."
Lot 105
1783 Georgius Triumpho
Token. VF-35. The obverse die was apparently taken from a rude head
of George III, as in 1783 there were no available portraits of Washington to
copy. Struck in 1783 as the victorious Washington had recently prevailed over
superior British forces, the reverse depicts Liberty weaving her new flag, with
the fleurs de lys alluding to the French help in winning the Revolutionary
War.
There is a curious red streak along the back of Georgius's head, and
another through his jaw to the right rim. The surfaces have been waxed to
preserve them. On the reverse, it has been cleaned, and is now toned a light
pinkish copper color, with some minor surface roughness noted. Always popular
with collectors.
Estimated Value $250-350.
Purchased from Stack's on
10/21/44 for $5.25.
Lot 106
1783 Washington Token.
Small military bust, plain edge. Baker 4A. VF-35. Deep brown in
color, with some minor verdigris in the lettering and devices. Struck around
1810-1820.
Estimated Value $100-150.
No provenance information
included, but likely from the 1940s.
Lot 107
1783 Washington Token.
Small military bust, engrailed edge. Baker 4B. PCGS graded AU-55.
(c. 1810-1820). These were struck at the Soho, Birmingham Mint, and
designed and engraved by Thomas Wells Ingram, after Edward Savage. Deep brown
copper color throughout, and well struck for this variety. Radial die cracks on
the obverse, as well as through the lower letters. The reverse die is lightly
clashed through the seated Liberty's head into the field. An exceptionally nice
coin that is seldom encountered this nice, in fact the PCGS Population Report
shows only 3 coins graded this high, with 2 graded higher of the variety.
Estimated Value $750-1,250.
Purchased 10/21/44 from Stack's at
$4.10.
Lot 108
1783 Washington Token.
Copper restrike, engrailed edge. PCGS graded Proof 67 Brown.
Baker-3. It is not known exactly when this was restruck, possibly the
1860's when they were widely collected, or as early as 1820. The date 1783
refers to the Treaty Of Paris. Well made and with fully struck devices. The
dies show a bit of rust on Washington. Superb surfaces and one of the two
finest graded by PCGS, don't pass this up.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
Lot 109
1783 Washington Token.
Copper restrike, engrailed edge. PCGS graded Proof 64 Brown. Lovely
subdued medium chocolate brown with traces of mint red around the periphery.
Left of the date is a carbon spot and on the portrait is faint evidence of more
carbon. Another beautiful coin, thought to have been struck around 1860.
Estimated Value $500-750.