Feb. 16, 2001, The Benson Collection Part 1, Sale 8
Lot 138
1787 Fugio Cent. Pointed
rays, cinquefoils, "STATES UNITED". PCGS graded MS-64 Red and Brown.
These are the first coins struck under the authority of the United States.
They have historically been called Franklin Cents as he created the legends for
the design. The surfaces are splendid on this piece, with some of the original
red still blazing forth, and toned a mellow light brown elsewhere. The planchet
shows some very minor striation lines along the left obverse edge, and these
are caused by minor planchet impurities. Struck from a strongly clashed die on
the obverse, with the chain links clearly visible on the right side. One minor
die crack up from the lower reverse toward the center. Probably from a hoard of
these that appeared in New York decades ago. One of the finest graded by PCGS,
with just 10 so graded and none graded higher.
Estimated Value $2,500-UP.
No provenance included, but likely from the 1940s.
Lot 139
1787 Fugio Cent. Pointed
rays, cinquefoils, "STATES UNITED". PCGS graded MS-64 Brown. Roper.
Kessler-13X. This is the Roper coin from the famous Stack's sale in 1983.
In the color department, this one is chocolate brown with a few hints of mint
red near the date. Struck from sharply clashed dies, and well struck for this
issue. It is certainly one of the best around, even though PCGS has graded 22
this high, only a single coin has been graded higher. A few trivial planchet
fissures are seen, almost all on the reverse, and these do not detract. Greatly
enhanced by the Roper pedigree, and another highlight in this extensive
colonial offering.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
From Stack's Roper
Sale, 1983, Lot 418 (includes original flip).
Lot 140
1787 Fugio Cent. Pointed
rays, cinquefoils, "STATES UNITED". MS-64. One of the finest graded
of the variety, only 10 are graded this high, with none graded higher. A few
minor planchet streaks on the upper obverse. Struck from clashed dies, as are
most. Mostly brown, with some mint red in the fields. Well struck and certainly
high in the condition census.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
Lot 141
1787 Fugio Cent. Pointed
rays, cinquefoils, "STATES UNITED". PCGS graded AU-58. Medium brown
in color and with some minor weakness on the left side as the coin was struck a
touch off-center. Spot-free and pleasing for the grade, and worth a good price
for the surfaces.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
Purchased from Ira
S. Reed, July 1944, for $3.
Lot 142
1787 Fugio Cent. Pointed
rays, cinquefoils, "STATES UNITED". PCGS graded AU-55. This is the
variety with four obverse cinquefoils. Struck from a sharply cracked obverse
die from the lower rim towards the sundial. Medium brown and choice surfaces,
and this one experienced very little wear. There are some minor planchet
streaks on both sides, none deep or offensive.
Estimated Value
$1,500-2,000.
Lot 143
1787 Fugio Cent. Pointed
rays, cinquefoils, "STATES UNITED". Del Bland graded AU-50. With a
planchet lamination at K11 on the obverse and a planchet defect at K7 on the
reverse edge. Medium chocolate brown and struck from clashed dies. This one
could should be examined to enjoy the lovely brown luster and clean surfaces.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,500.
Lot 144
1787 Fugio Cent. Pointed
rays, cinquefoils, "STATES UNITED". AU-50. Medium brown and struck
from clashed dies. The planchet has some minor laminations on both sides, and
there is a die crack up from the bottom of the reverse rim into the center.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,300.
Lot 145
1787 Fugio Cent. Pointed
rays, cinquefoils, "STATES UNITED". PCGS graded EF-45. Double
Struck, and how! One of the most spectacular error coins we have had
the pleasure to offer! The obverse was first struck normally, then the coin was
struck again, this time 50% off center towards 11 o'clock. Both strikes are
very sharp. On the reverse the second strike is noted more by an arc from the
second planchet, and the reverse strike makes it likely that another planchet
was beneath this coin. Hence, the rings are flattened out a bit, and no other
evidence of the dies striking the reverse are present. We doubt a photograph
can do this coin justice, you must see it in person. The color is perfect,
medium brown throughout, and no surface porosity is present. As perfect a coin
for the collector as we could imagine, unless it was full red, and fresh from
the Mint! Make sure to view this piece, even if you have no interest in
Colonial issues, it is simply fascinating. Struck by federal contract by James
Jarvis's mint at Machin's Mills, Newburgh, New York. The obverse die had
cracked severely when this one was struck, with the crack extending up from the
rim through the E of BUSINESS and the O of YOUR into the sundial above, the
cracked area is plain on both obverse strikes. A few very minor planchet flaws,
really just flow lines from the rolling process, and with one dark toning area
on the lower left reverse.
Estimated Value $2,000-UP.
Lot 146
1787 Fugio Cent. Pointed
rays, cinquefoils, "STATES UNITED". VG-8. Glossy light brown in
color and well preserved. Struck on an excellent planchet, but a touch
off-center towards the lower obverse, so some of the lettering is weak at the
extreme edge. Struck with strongly clashed dies.
Estimated Value $150-200.
Lot 147
1787 Fugio Cent. Pointed
rays, cinquefoils, "UNITED STATES". VF-35. Struck slightly
off-center towards 9:00 on the obverse, but the lettering and devices are all
present. Medium to light brown in color, and struck on a good planchet. Both
dies show clash marks. Glossy and choice for the grade.
Estimated Value
$500-600.
Lot 148
1787 Fugio Cent. Pointed
rays, cinquefoils, "UNITED STATES". VF-35. Choice and desirable
light tan in color, and well on both sides. There is one minor planchet
irregularity near the right cinquefoil, which carries through to the chain on
the reverse. Highly desirable and always popular.
Estimated Value $500-600.
Lot 149
1787 Fugio Cent. Club rays,
rounded ends. Fine-15. Filled in the lower half of the 8 in the
date. Medium brown in color, and with minor planchet streaks and flaws. Well
centered and struck, and a nice coin for the type collector.
Estimated
Value $450-550.
Lot 150
1787 Fugio Cent. New Haven
"Restrike" in Copper. PCGS graded MS-63 Brown. Struck about 1860.
Excellent medium brown chocolate brown surfaces almost free from post striking
abrasions. Die cracks on the left obverse.
Estimated Value $400-650.