Feb. 16, 2001, The Benson Collection Part 1, Sale 8
Lot 155
1793. Cohen-1, Breen-1,
High Rarity-3. PCGS graded AU-55 and Del Bland graded EF-40.
Excellent surfaces displaying virtually no abrasions, nicely centered and
well struck with HALF CENT sharp. Below the right side of R in LIBERTY are two
faint scratches but they are not readily visible to the unaided eye. Light
medium chocolate brown on the obverse and dark chocolate brown on the reverse.
Aesthetically very appealing and a prize for the half cent collector. Breen's
State I.
The color is a bit lighter on the upper right of the obverse, and
darker below. Splendid surfaces for the issue, which is all too often found
with problems and distractions. As this is an early die state, all device
details are sharp. Nearly impossible to find so nice, and certain to attract
considerable collector interest.
This is the first federal issue of the
Liberty Cap design, it predates the Liberty Cap cent by approximately four
months, and the Cohen-1 variety is believed to be the first variety coined on
July 20, 1793, with a total issue of just 7,000 pieces. Augustin Dupré's
1782 design of the Libertas Americana medal was used as the model by Mint
Engraver Adam Eckfeldt for the obverse design of the half cent. Both the medal
and the 1793 half cent feature Liberty facing left, which is unique to this
half cent design. On the 1793 large cent, and later 1794 half cents, Liberty
faces to the right.
Eckfeldt is believed to have engraved the reverse dies
also, using the design of the Birch Cent likely sketched by David Rittenhouse.
The letter punches were made by Jacob Bay, a Germantown typefounder, who was
employed at the mint from December 24, 1792 until he died in one of the annual
yellow fever epidemics.
From a numismatic standpoint, this is a monumental
coin as it is the first variety struck of the half cent design. As a specimen,
it is outstanding for its high grade and choice surfaces. Apparently a few were
saved in mint state, others in high grade like this, but these are the
exceptions to the rule. Breen believes that approximately 1.5 percent of the
original mintage survived in various grades, and locating even a moderate grade
coin with nice surfaces is a difficult task. A timeless American and numismatic
classic. Color photo.
Estimated Value $14,000-UP.
Ex: John G. Mills;
S.H. & H Chapman 4/04:1400 as "E.F." $19; Carl Wurtzbach; Ira S. Reed 8/1/45 as
"Unc." for $90.
Lot 156
1793. Cohen-3, Breen-3,
Rarity-3. Del Bland graded VG-7. Sharpness of Fine-12 but the
surfaces are lightly rough, several long scratches exist, mostly on the
obverse, and on the reverse are two edge dents. Medium brown with the reverse
dark chocolate brown. Nicer in appearance than it sounds.
As mentioned above
by Del Bland, the obverse scratches are light and not too distracting. On the
reverse, the bumps are located above the U of UNITED and the R of AMERICA on
the rim. The coin does boast nice color and is well struck for the variety.
Estimated Value $1,250-1,750.
Ex: Celina Coin M.B.S. #12 : 1885 at
$40.
Lot 157
1793. Cohen-4, Breen-4.
Rarity-3. Del Bland graded VG-10. Sharpness of Very Fine 20 but
uniformly porous with some nicks and a scratch along the right obverse rim.
Darkish steel brown.
Estimated Value $1,750-2,250.
Lot 158
1794. Cohen-1a, Breen-1a,
Rarity-3. PCGS graded AU-50 and Del Bland graded VF-35. Pleasing
medium dark steel brown surfaces marred only by some tiny nicks on the neck and
a microscopic scratch opposite the end of the pole. Sharply struck and well
centered with die clash marks on both sides. Very attractive. If you have been
searching for a really nice example of this type or variety, then make sure to
view this coin, you will want it for your collection, as the surfaces, color
and strike combine to make this extremely desirable.
Estimated Value
$4,500-5,500.
Ex: Dennis Lewis (Lewis Rare Coins, 10/89).
Lot 159
1794. Small edge letters.
Cohen-1b, Breen-1b, Rarity-6. Del Bland graded VG-8. Sharpness of
F-15 but uniformly and finely porous with a couple nicks on the face and a
small dig at D in UNITED. All details are legible except the 7 in the date,
which is weak. Dark steel brown with tan high points. One of the better
examples of this very rare sub-variety with small edge letters and a Condition
Census piece.
Here is one of the pleasures of cataloging a large collection
that was formed decades ago. This coin represented the date 1794 in the Benson
half cent collection. It was purchased in 1944, when few people bothered
collecting by variety or noticed the large or small edge letters sub-varieties.
Thus, this Condition Census coin stayed tucked away for three generations,
waiting to be rediscovered. Once again, this coin surfaces for a brief time
when it crosses the auction block, and will no doubt soon be tucked away again,
this time as a highlight of an advanced half cent die variety collection. An
historic opportunity.
Estimated Value $2,500-UP.
Ex: James G.
Macallister 6/7/44 for $5.
Lot 160
1794. Cohen-2a, Breen-2b.
Rarity-3. PCGS graded EF-45 and Del Bland graded VF-20. More than
five points sharper but cleaned and retoned to a medium light brown, from the
fraction through UNITED STATE is some fine porosity and between S and O is a
spot of erosion. Better in appearance than the description makes it sound.
Intermediate die state.
The consignor believes this coin was used at some
time in the Guide Book as the plate coin for 1794 half cents, however,
we could not match it to a random sampling of a dozen or so different issues.
This one has a good pedigree and has eye appealing surfaces and color.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,500.
Ex: 1978 ANA Sale, Bowers and Ruddy
Galleries, lot 88, unknown; Jim McGuigan.
Lot 161
1794. Cohen-2a, Breen-2b,
Rarity-3. Del Bland graded Good-4. Sharpness of Very Good-10 but at
ERTY are many nicks and on Liberty are several hairline scratches. Dark olive.
Estimated Value $150-300.
Lot 162
1794. Small Edge Letters.
Cohen-2a, Breen-2b, Rarity-3. Del Bland graded Good-6. Somewhat
sharper but lightly rough on the obverse with most of the reverse covered with
fine raised corrosion and some ancient scratches on both sides. Medium dark
steel brown.
There is a single scratch pin scratch through the date and
others in the left obverse field, the reverse similar with the pin scratches
clustered under UNITED and others on the lower reverse. A coin to be inspected
to correctly estimate the proper value.
Estimated Value $150-300.
Lot 163
1794. Cohen-4, Breen-6b,
Rarity-3. PCGS graded AU-50 and Del Bland graded Very Fine-25.
Smooth medium chocolate brown surfaces with a couple of very light obverse
edge dents. Late die state and a delightful example of the variety.
An
outstanding coin that will excite any specialist who has spent years searching
for a high grade example. Splendid surfaces and quality for the issue, and
worthy of an advanced collection.
Estimated Value $4,000-5,000.
Ex:
Jim McGuigan, 1/86.
Lot 164
1794. Cohen-4a, Breen-6b,
Rarity-3. Del Bland graded VF-20. Sharper by five points but on the
edges and in the fields are several very small nicks with larger ones about
midway between the edge and the chin, on the edge opposite the mouth and near
the rim at K2½ on the obverse. Medium dark chocolate brown.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,250.
Ex: Emory Collection; Spink Auctions
(London) #94 10/92:762.
Lot 165
1794. Cohen-6a, Breen-4b.
Low Rarity-6. Del Bland graded VG-7. Sharpness of VG-10 but lightly
and uniformly porous with very small erosion spots below the chin and some
raised corrosion touching the top of the head. An acceptable example of this
rare variety. Dark olive steel in color.
Estimated Value $1,500-3,000.
Ex: Martin Baer; 1989 ANA (Bowers and Merena):1094 as "F-15"; Chris
Victor-McCawley (CVM).
Lot 166
1794. Cohen-8, Breen-8,
Rarity-5. Del Bland graded Good-6. Sharpness of VG-10 but porous
with some scratches across the rim behind the cap. Darkish olive steel. There
is a nose nick on Liberty.
Estimated Value $600-800.
Lot 167
1794. Cohen-9, Breen-9,
Rarity-2. PCGS graded EF-45 and Del Bland graded Very Fine 30. With
a line-like planchet defect through the right base of Y of LIBERTY. Medium dark
chocolate brown marred only by two tiny nicks, one on the cheek, the others
above A in HALF and some microscopic scratches below LF. A sharply struck and
well centered example of the later die state with a die crack through the tops
of IBERTY.
A beautiful half cent that boasts lovely brown color and abundant
eye appeal.
Estimated Value $3,000-4,000.
Ex: Dennis Lewis (Lewis
Rare Coins) 2/87.
Lot 168
1794. Cohen-9, Breen-9,
Rarity-2. Del Bland graded Fine-12. Medium dark steel brown with
some minor abrasions consistent with the grade, plus a few light scratches on
the reverse, most noticeable through the lower wreath. The color is even and
the coin is still appealing.
Estimated Value $800-1,200.
Lot 169
1795. Plain edge, no pole.
Cohen-5b, Breen-5b, Rarity-5. PCGS graded VF-20 and Del Bland graded
VG-8. A very attractive light brown example and generally well struck on a
cut down large cent planchet, however, there is some weakness at the date and
at HALF, the latter due to the die crack above and resulting die sinking. The
fields on both sides display myriad microscopic marks and on the rim between A
and T in STATES is a carbon spot.
The reverse die developed a crack on its
previous die pairing, so when it was pulled off the shelf to coin this variety,
the crack was fairly strong, with the area below the crack always weakly
struck. The obverse die was in good shape, with all devices clear, although the
date is a touch weak, as usual. Breen estimates that only 1,963 were struck of
this die variety, all from cut down large cent planchets.
Estimated Value
$1,500-UP.
Ex: James G. Macallister 6/7/44 for $10.
Lot 170
1795. Plain edge, no pole,
thick planchet. Cohen-5b, Breen-5b, Rarity-5. Del Bland graded Good-5.
Slightly sharper but cleaned, now a golden color with light steel
overtones. Over M in AMERICA is a small edge dent and at the denominator is a
small pit mark. Weight 118.5 grains. Scarce and desirable this nice.
Estimated Value $400-700.
Lot 171
1797. Plain edge, low head.
Cohen-3a, Breen-3c, Rarity-4. Del Bland graded VG-10. Nice medium
dark steel brown surfaces relatively free from handling marks except for a
light dent on the neck and two very small reverse dents. Behind the top of the
head is a dark spot, another exists in the hair behind the neck.
Estimated
Value $1,000-1,500.
Lot 172
1797. 1 above 1, plain
edge. Cohen-1, Breen-1a, Low Rarity-3. Del Bland graded VG-8. Nice
dark chocolate brown surfaces with a scratch from the rim left of the first S
in STATES and an edge dent over the left top of U. Late die state.
Estimated Value $300-450.
Lot 173
1797. Low head. Cohen-3a,
Breen-3c, Rarity-4. Del Bland graded VG-7. With a rather small
planchet defect in the dentils opposite the chin. Medium brown and very clean
for the grade. Above the cap is a small nick and STATES OF AMERICA is somewhat
weak as usual on this variety.
Estimated Value $300-350.