Feb 18-19, 2002, The Benson Collection Part 2, Sale 13
Lot 59
1859. Pattern small cent.
Judd 228. P-272, R-1, copper-nickel, plain edge. NGC
graded MS-65. One of the more common pattern issues. We note full devices
on both sides and good mint color too. This is the style that was adopted in
1860, with the shield at the top of the wreath. A beauty in this gem grade.
Estimated Value $700-900.
Lot 60
1859. NGC graded
MS-65. A one year type coin that is hard to find this nice. Brilliant
original luster throughout, with one small speck on the feather just below the
Y of LIBERTY, and another at the top of the obverse hidden in the dentils. The
185 are all recut (Snow-2) and the reverse is cracked from 5:30 to 3:00 as seen
on the later die state.
Estimated Value $1,250-1,500.
Lot 61
1859. PCGS graded
MS-64. A well struck example, nice and lustrous with no discernible marks.
Some light fly specks scattered about, none of which are noticeable without the
aid of magnification. A choice example of this one year type.
Estimated
Value $550-650.
Lot 62
1862. NGC graded
MS-65. Bright luster throughout, with just a hint of toning starting to
form. Well struck by the dies and quite well preserved, with no distracting
marks worthy of note.
Estimated Value $300-400.
Lot 63
1862. PCGS graded
MS-64. Bright in color, but we note a minor tick on Liberty's chin, and
traces of a fingerprint on the reverse.
Estimated Value $175-225.
Lot 64
1863. MS-64.
Bright and lustrous, with clean surfaces save for a small nick on Liberty's
chin. One for the date collector.
Estimated Value $150-200.
Lot 65
1865 Fancy 5. PCGS
graded MS-63 Red and Brown. This appears to be Snow-3, with repunching on
all digits. Great color for the grade, slightly faded on Liberty, but still
very bright, and mostly red on the reverse too, with one tiny spot at the top
of the wreath.
Estimated Value $100-125.
Lot 66
1869. PCGS graded
MS-64 Red and Brown. This coin is really nice for the moderate grade
assigned by PCGS, the surfaces show few signs of contact, even with a strong
glass. The obverse is mostly red, while the reverse has mellowed quite a bit,
with the rims still bright. A tough coin to find in this grade.
Estimated
Value $500-600.
Lot 67
1873. Open 3. MS-64
Red. Slightly faded mint color at the top of Liberty's feather headdress.
Nice color otherwise and well preserved.
Estimated Value $400-500.
Lot 68
1874. PCGS graded
Proof 65 Brown. Mostly brown with some blue on the obverse at the center,
and reddish highlights on the reverse are noted. A very pretty coin indeed.
Wonderful color for the toned specialist.
Estimated Value $400-500.
Lot 69
1875. NGC graded
Proof 65 Red. This one has great mint color with just a hint of wood grain
toning starting to form. Boldly struck and quite nice overall, with few signs
of handling. We note gorgeous color within the wreath which amplifies the three
dimensional effect. Further, the NGC Population Report shows only 6 graded this
high, with none graded higher in Red, and one single coin tied as Deep Cameo in
PF-65 too. If you are doing a gem set, then this is a coin you simply can't
upgrade. Expect a well deserved high bid necessary to win this lot.
Estimated Value $5,000-6,500.
Lot 70
1877. PCGS graded
Proof 64 Red and Brown. Excellent red color on both sides and this one must
have just missed the full red classification as the color is slightly mellowed.
Close examination will locate a couple of faint ticks in the fields and on the
devices, but none warrant attention. The key date to the Indian cent series and
many collectors buy a proof to represent this date for their sets. A nice one
indeed, if you want a fairly red example that shows just a trace of mellowing.
Color photo.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,000.
Lot 71
1877. PCGS graded
MS-64 Red and Brown. The key date to this popular series and here's a nice
one. Clean surfaces for the grade, and struck from lightly clashed dies on the
reverse. One tiny speck on the T of UNITED, but nice reddish brown color with
slight wood grain patterns starting to form. Color photo.
Estimated Value
$4,000-5,000.
Lot 72
1879. NGC graded
Proof 66 Red and Brown. Genaitis. Mostly red in color with just a bit too
much fading. Excellent surfaces and strike.
Estimated Value $700-800.
From the Genaitis collection.
Lot 73
1879. PCGS graded
Proof 65 Red. Slightly faded mint red color but very clean surfaces on this
one. All proof Indians are scarce in full red grades, and this date is
certainly no exception.
Estimated Value $750-850.
Lot 74
1879. NGC graded
MS-64 Red and Brown. Virtually full red in color, but we note a small toned
area on the C of CENT. Well struck and well preserved since the time of issue.
Estimated Value $125-150.
Lot 75
1880. PCGS graded
Proof 66 Red. Here is an excellent coin to represent the date for the
specialist. Superb surfaces and ample mint color on both sides, with none of
the usual problems that plague these copper coins. PCGS in their Population
Report show 19 graded this high, with 10 graded higher, all PR-67 Red. In
summary, this is one of the best around from the original mintage.
Estimated Value $1,100-1,200.
Lot 76
1880. PCGS graded
Proof 64 Red and Brown. Golden red on the obverse, the reverse is toned
with lovely lavender colors that just simply glow.
Estimated Value
$175-200.
Lot 77
1880. PCGS graded
Proof 64 Red and Brown. Faded mint color and great surfaces for the grade.
Estimated Value $175-200.
Lot 78
1881. NGC graded
Proof 66 Red. Flashy and vibrant red in color with well preserved surfaces.
These gems are getting harder and harder to locate as so many people demand
this kind of quality for their date sets. If you want a really clean example
that glows, here it is.
Estimated Value $800-1,000.
Lot 79
1882. PCGS graded
MS-65 Red. Scarcer than some dates in this gem grade, this one has lovely
red and yellow luster, with clean surfaces. The date is recut.
Estimated
Value $500-600.
Lot 80
1882. MS-64 Red.
Rosy red in color and struck from worn dies.
Estimated Value $100-125.
Lot 81
1883. NGC graded
Proof 65 Brown. Hints of lavender and mostly a lovely chocolate brown
color, with hints of red near the lettering.
Estimated Value $190-210.
Lot 82
1883. NGC graded
MS-65 Red and Brown. Faded mint red on both the obverse and reverse, and
struck by worn dies.
Estimated Value $200-250.
Lot 83
1884. Proof 63 Red
and Brown. Frosty on the devices and well struck, with a light streak on
Liberty's neck. This one is just starting to tone.
Estimated Value
$100-125.