Feb. 16, 2001, The Benson Collection Part 1, Sale 8
Lot 174
1800. Cohen-1, Breen-1b,
Rarity-1. NGC graded MS-63 Brown and Del Bland graded MS-61. With
some blunt striking on the hair and drapery. A couple points better but light
carbon exists, mostly on the obverse, though not readily visible to the unaided
eye and a few equally difficult to see abrasions are on the neck. Medium
chocolate brown and mint red.
This is a beautiful half cent which any
collector would be proud to own. Lovely color, surfaces and eye appeal
throughout, with few signs of handling anywhere.
Estimated Value
$1,300-1,800.
Ex: Rodney T. Grove; Robert Nofal and Lewis Kling;
Superior Galleries 6/81:5; Superior Stamp & Coin Co. F.P.L. 3 & 4/82:3; Pullen
& Hanks F.P.L. 7/82:1.
Lot 175
1800. Cohen-1, Breen-1b,
Rarity-1. Del Bland graded AU-55. A delightful example of this date.
Uniform medium dark steel brown with underlying faded mint red on both sides
and a few tiny light spots on the obverse. On the face and bust are minor
scratches and between D and S is a long one.
Estimated Value $1,100-1,500.
Ex: Dr. Jesse D. Rising; Stack's 5/91:540; unknown; 1991 ANA (Bowers and
Merena): 105.
Lot 176
1800. Cohen-1, Breen-1b,
Rarity-1. Del Bland graded AU-50. Darkish olive steel with slight
evidence of faded mint red around some devices on both sides. Only a couple of
minuscule abrasions on each side away from perfection including an almost
invisible scratch on the face, a nick opposite the eye and another over E in
UNITED. Only the faintest trace of wear on the upper devices, and nearly a
grade better.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,400.
Lot 177
1802. 2 over 0, second
reverse. Cohen-2, Breen-2, Rarity-3. Del Bland graded Good-6. A very
nice appearing half cent, the surfaces just lightly rough with an ancient
scratch above A in HALF. Darkish steel brown.
Estimated Value $1,000-UP.
Lot 178
1803-1810. A group of 8
half cents. Del Bland graded as follows: 1803 VG-8; 1804 G-6;
1805 VG-7 obverse planchet defects; 1807 VG-7; 1808 G-5 porous;
1809 G-6; 1810 AG-3 two obverse pits and 1810 FR-2 rough. A nice
selection of lower grade, common variety half cents, a few with problems as
noted. Lot of 8 coins.
Estimated Value $125-150.
Lot 179
1803. Cohen-1, Breen-1,
Rarity-1. Del Bland graded VF-20. Excellent dark chocolate brown
surfaces with light brown high points. Perfectly clean except for three
microscopic nicks grouped together on the bust. Manley state 1.0.
Estimated
Value $225-350.
Lot 180
1804. Crosslet 4, stems.
Cohen-1, Breen-1, High Rarity-3. Del Bland graded Fine-12. Very
clean and attractive for the grade. Medium dark steel brown.
Estimated
Value $150-250.
Lot 181
1804. "Spiked chin",
Cohen-6, Breen-6, High Rarity-2. Del Bland graded VF-25. Choice
medium dark steel brown surfaces and very attractive. Breen's State XIV.
One of the most fascinating die deteriorations in any series, many
collectors obtain several examples of this variety which starts with a perfect
(uncracked) reverse die and rapidly develops cracks, which soon become die cuds
where small pieces literally drop out of the die, forming a raised area on the
coin. In this case several pieces broke away from the die, and many raised
areas are seen around most of the reverse. This is one of the later die states
seen of this variety.
Estimated Value $325-400.
Lot 182
1804. "Spiked chin".
Cohen-6, Breen-6, High Rarity-2. Del Bland graded VF-20. Three
minute nicks opposite the face, another on the rim opposite the eye and a small
edge dent between T and A in STATES. Medium dark steel brown. Manley state 9.0.
Estimated Value $250-500.
Lot 183
1804. "Spiked chin".
Cohen-6, Breen-6, High Rarity-2. Del Bland graded VG-10. A bit
sharper but on the rim opposite the neck is a dent, another is on the rim
between M and E in AMERICA. Medium dark steel brown. Manley State 3.0.
Estimated Value $125-200.
Lot 184
1804. Crosslet 4, stems.
Cohen-9, Breen-8, Rarity-1. Del Bland graded Fine-12. A clean dark
chocolate brown half cent.
Nice for the grade, and a pleasant coin for the
collector.
Estimated Value $75-125.
Lot 185
1804. Crosslet 4, stems.
Cohen-10, Breen-9, Rarity-1. Del Bland graded VF-35. Sharpness of
nearly About Uncirculated-50 but cleaned and retoning to a light golden tan
color. Small nicks are visible on the forehead, on top of the neck, on the bust
and on the edge behind the neck. Nevertheless, this coin will tone down and
shows a lot of device detail.
Estimated Value $300-500.
Lot 186
1804. Crosslet 4, stems.
Cohen-10, Breen-9, Rarity-1. Del Bland graded VF-35. With blunt
striking at the tops of LIB. On the neck are a couple of tiny nicks and behind
the head is a dull scratch, still a very nice half cent. Medium steel brown.
Estimated Value $200-300.
Lot 187
1804. Crosslet 4, stems.
Cohen-10, Breen-9, Rarity-1. Del Bland graded Fine-12. Sharpness of
EF-40, but in the right obverse field is a long heavy scratch, and in the
ribbon behind Liberty's head is another short scratch. Across Liberty is a very
long, curved hairline scratch. Through the right reverse is a very long, heavy
scratch and at ST in STATES are shorter ones. Golden brown with some olive
toning.
Estimated Value $30-50.
Ex: James G. Macallister 6/7/44 at
$2.50.
Lot 188
1804. Plain 4, stemless.
Cohen-10, Breen-10, Rarity-1. Del Bland graded EF-40. Five points
sharper but opposite the forehead is a pin scratch, behind the lower curls is a
heavier one and around the upper reverse edge are some tiny nicks. Medium dark
steel in color with reddish brown around the obverse devices and throughout the
reverse. The marks referred to are extremely minor and scarcely noticeable,
even with a glass. Highly appealing.
Estimated Value $300-500.
Lot 189
1804. Plain 4, stems.
Cohen-11, Breen-12, Rarity-4. Del Bland graded Fine-12. With blunt
striking on the upper hair. Slightly sharper but in the field behind the neck
is a vertical scratch and scattered around the obverse are spots of light
roughness. Dark olive, with the fields a bit darker than the devices. A scarce
variety which is always in demand.
Estimated Value $175-275.
Lot 190
1804. Crosslet 4, stemless.
Cohen-12, Breen-11, Rarity-2. Del Bland graded EF-45. Very
attractive despite a dent on L in LIBERTY and a tiny nick on the chin. Medium
dark steel brown, the reverse dull golden brown faded from mint red.
Estimated Value $450-650.
Lot 191
1805. Large 5, stemless.
Cohen-1, Breen-1, Rarity-1. Double Struck on the obverse. NGC graded
VF-20 Brown, and Del Bland graded Fine 15. Heavily double struck on top of
the head, across the bust, on the ribbon and on the face. Medium dark steel
brown with the only abrasion worthy of mention being a horizontal pin scratch
above the bust into the lower neck. Around the letters in HALF CENT are traces
of verdigris which can easily be removed.
A fascinating coin to study and
such errors are always very popular with collectors.
Estimated Value
$300-500.
Lot 192
1805. Small 5, stems.
Cohen-3, Breen-3, Rarity-5. Del Bland graded Good-6. A little
sharper but most of the obverse and part of the reverse are lightly rough.
Darkish steel brown and nice in appearance. Liberty's face is full and
complete, with the familiar bulge in the right obverse field. Not many of these
have turned up despite years of searching, so keep that in mind when bidding.
Estimated Value $450-650.
Lot 193
1806. Small 6, stemless.
Cohen-1, Breen-1, Rarity-1. PCGS graded AU-58 and Del Bland graded
VF-35. Five points sharper but cleaned and nicely retoned to a medium
chocolate brown color with faint lighter brown tones. Opposite the point of
bust and between ER in LIBERTY are small scratches. The PCGS label is wrong,
this is not a "Small 6, Stems".
Estimated Value $300-400.
Lot 194
1806. Small 6, stems.
Cohen-1, Breen-1, Rarity-1. Del Bland graded AU-55. Lovely light
steel brown surfaces with a thin, light, elongated carbon streak in the right
obverse field. Traces of faded mint red on this lovely coin. The carbon streak
is quite benign and scarcely worth mentioning.
Estimated Value $600-850.
Lot 195
1806. Large 6, stems.
Cohen-4, Breen-4, Rarity-1. Del Bland graded VG-10. Darkish steel
brown and pleasing for the grade.
Estimated Value $25-40.
Lot 196
1807. Cohen-1, Breen-1,
Rarity-1. PCGS graded AU-58 and Del Bland graded EF-45. Slightly
sharper but cleaned and very nicely retoned to an even medium dark chocolate
brown. On the rim over N in UNITED is a very small nick, otherwise quite free
from abrasions. Late state with die roughness in the fields.
Estimated
Value $450-550.
Lot 197
1808. 8 over 7. Cohen-2,
Breen-2, Rarity-3. Del Bland graded VG-7. Quite pleasing for grade
despite three scratches through AME. Dark chocolate brown, light brown high
points.
Estimated Value $200-350.
Lot 198
1808. Normal date. Cohen-3,
Breen-3, High Rarity-1. Del Bland graded VF-25. At least five points
sharper but on both sides are some faint scratches visible under a glass and
between F and A is a light edge dent. Early die state and well struck slightly
off center. Medium dark steel brown. The reverse die is rotated 160 degrees to
the left. Another appealing half cent that is seldom found in high grades.
Estimated Value $400-650.
Lot 199
1808. Normal date. Cohen-3,
Breen-3, High Rarity-1. Del Bland graded VF-20. Some minor handling
marks here and there, mostly in the central area of the reverse. Medium dark
steel brown with a deep reddish brown around the obverse devices. Reverse
rotated 160 degrees to the left.
Estimated Value $250-400.
Lot 200
1808. Normal date. Cohen-3,
Breen-3, High Rarity-1. Del Bland graded VF-20. Slightly sharper but
on the bust is a thin scratch and a glass reveals some faint roughness on
Liberty. Darkish steel brown. Manley state 4.0.
Estimated Value $150-300.