Feb 18-19, 2002, The Benson Collection Part 2, Sale 13
Lot 458
1809. JR-1, R-4.
Sharpness of Fine-12 but scratched. Superb color, but scratched in
the left obverse field, and an even deeper scratch up on the reverse through
the shield, neck and into the field above. This one would look nice in an
album, as the scratches are old and toned over.
Estimated Value $50-75.
From the Benson collection and purchased from J. C. Macallister on
February 20, 1945 for $85.00.
Lot 459
1811. 11 over 9, JR-1, R-3.
PCGS graded VF-30. Lovely blue peripheral toning and silver gray at
the centers. Minor handling marks, expected for the grade. The reverse shows
several die cracks, but the die hasn't really started to come apart as of yet,
and many are seen struck after this one.
Estimated Value $300-400.
From the Benson collection and purchased from J. C. Macallister on
February 20, 1945 for $25.00.
Lot 460
1814. Small date, JR-1,
Rarity-3. PCGS graded AU-55. Lovely antique gray toning on both
sides and with a typical strike for this variety. Deeper grays near the
devices, so the coin has a bit of a cameo appearance. This is an important
Guide Book variety, as only a single pair of dies were used to create
the small date 1814, and few are found in grades over Very Fine. PCGS reports
just 3 graded as AU-55, with just 6 graded higher. Most show various die
cracks, as seen here, and swelling on the obverse and clash marks on the
reverse. An important opportunity for the specialist who wants a really high
grade example of this variety.
Estimated Value $700-800.
Lot 461
1814. Small date, JR-1,
R-3. EF-45. A gorgeous coin that has splendid toning of steel gray
at the rims, brighter at the centers. However, there is a very shallow staple
scratch over the date and another behind Liberty's head. These are old and
toned over, and many will scarcely notice them at all. This one was probably
cleaned decades ago, but it is still quite appealing. The small date is one of
the scarcer varieties of the year.
Estimated Value $200-300.
From
the Benson collection and purchased from J. C. Macallister on February 20, 1945
for $12.50.
Lot 462
1814. Large date, JR-2,
Rarity-3. PCGS graded MS-64. Actually, this is one of the scarcer
varieties of the year, but at least eight have been located in mint state
providing specialists with a few high grade coins to study. This near gem
boasts steel blue and deep gray toning over great luster in the fields. As
usual, it is well struck for the date, and this die pairing is usually the best
struck of the five known varieties. On this particular one, we note a die bulge
through ERIC on the reverse, and the letters are flat in that area, as well as
the stars. Most of the curls are very sharp on Liberty, and the feathers are
strong on the eagle. PCGS has graded 16 of this date as such, with only 5
graded higher. Color photo.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,000.
Lot 463
1814. Large date, JR-3,
R-2. PCGS graded AU-58. A choice coin for the grade that boasts
lovely golden hues around the periphery, lighter at the centers. Well struck,
given the later reverse die state, and quite a bit of the original luster is
present. Abundant eye appeal for the grade.
Estimated Value $400-500.
From the Benson collection and purchased from J. C. Macallister on
February 20, 1945 for $7.50.
Lot 464
1814. Large date, JR-4,
R-2. AU-50. Cleaned with resulting hairlines on the reverse. Deep
blue and dusky gray on the obverse, a bit lighter on the reverse.
Estimated
Value $300-400.
From the Benson collection, and purchased from Ira S.
Reed on March 22, 1944 for $5.00 as Extremely Fine.
Lot 465
1820. "STATESOFAMERICA",
JR-1, R-4. PCGS graded MS-64. One of the finest of this variety,
PCGS notes just 2 graded this high, with a single coin graded higher. Frosty
luster and well struck by the dies, with crisp curls on Liberty and excellent
feather sharpness on the eagle. Golden toning with blue highlights near the
rims. This one was put away a long time ago, and hasn't been on the market for
generations. This reverse die was first used in 1814, then put back on the
shelf until dime production resumed in 1820. Color photo.
Estimated Value
$3,000-3,500.
From the Benson collection and purchased from J. C.
Macallister on February 20, 1945 for $7.50.
Lot 466
1820. Small 0, JR-3, R-4.
VF-30. A scarce variety that is hard to find this nice. The surfaces
have been cleaned with resulting hairlines, but the coin has retoned with
pretty gold shades around the periphery, but is still bright at the centers.
Estimated Value $60-80.
From the Benson collection and purchased
from J. C. Macallister on February 20, 1945 for $7.50.
Lot 467
1821. Small date, JR-9,
R-2. PCGS graded EF-45. Lovely old album toning at the periphery.
Well struck, as are most of this die pairing. We note that the PCGS holder
states "Large Date" when this is obviously a small date variety.
Estimated
Value $225-275.
From the Benson collection and purchased from J. C.
Macallister on February 20, 1945 for $4.00.
Lot 468
1821. Large date, JR-1,
R-2. PCGS graded AU-53. This one has delightful blue and deep gold
toning around the rims, silvery gray at the centers. We note some dull marks on
the top of Liberty's cap and above, and the eagle's talons show ever-present
weakness seen on this variety.
Estimated Value $400-450.
From the
Benson collection and purchased from J. C. Macallister on February 20, 1945 for
$5.00.
Lot 469
1822. JR-1, R-3.
PCGS graded AU-55. Steel gray and well struck on most of the stars,
only the lower ones are weak. Gold toning around the rims, and downright rare
in this grade. Frosty luster throughout, and minimal handling marks. A classic
rarity that has always commanded a big premium for the date, with a reported
mintage of just 100,000 pieces, but very few are found in high grades. In 1984,
when the five authors published the wonderful Dime book, they estimated that
perhaps 10 exist in uncirculated grades, and another 10 in grades from EF-40 to
AU-58. For some reason, most examples of this date are in low grade, and many
are damaged. The PCGS Population Report supports these numbers, as only 5 have
been graded in Mint State (best MS-63), and 6 are seen in AU-58, and this one
alone in AU-55. The numbers fall away after this AU-55, the report then notes
12 have been graded from VG-VF, with none graded between EF-40 and AU-53. An
opportunity that knowledgable collectors will truly appreciate.
Estimated
Value $3,000-4,000.
From the Benson collection and purchased from J. C.
Macallister on February 20, 1945 for $100.00.
Lot 470
1823. 3 over 2, small E's,
JR-1, R-3. PCGS graded AU-55. Sharply struck for this date, with
full stars on the obverse, and only minimal weakness on the eagle's neck.
Glorious golden peripheral toning which deepens to blue at the extreme edge,
and dancing luster in the fields. Scarce this nice, so don't miss it.
Estimated Value $450-550.
From the Benson collection and purchased
from J. C. Macallister on February 20, 1945 for $12.50.
Lot 471
1824. 4 over 2, JR-1, R-3.
PCGS graded AU-53. A tough date in high grades, this one should
please most collectors. There is one deep dig in the right obverse field inside
the twelfth star inner point, otherwise the obverse surfaces are really sweet.
On the reverse, we see a much smaller but probably related dig at the back of
the eagle's neck and above in the field, and another on the rim above the I of
AMERICA. Flashy luster and with delightful blue and gold toning around the
rims.
Estimated Value $800-1,000.
From the Benson collection and
purchased from J. C. Macallister on February 20, 1945 for $30.00.
Lot 472
1825 JR-2, Rarity-7.
NGC graded Proof 65. Deep blue and gray in color on both sides, with
the fields well mirrored throughout. Softly struck at the central reverse
devices, and on a few of Liberty's central curls (as always for the variety),
but the stars and peripheral devices are all sharp. In fact, many peripheral
reverse devices show slight doubling, likely from the double strike required to
produce a proof. An extremely rare coin in proof, with perhaps half a dozen or
so known. This one should be easy to trace if one had the time and available
auction catalogs using the Breen Proof Encyclopedia, as an excellent census is
included there. As to the Population Reports, NGC has graded 3 in all, one a
PF-63, this coin as PF-65, and one above as PF-67, PCGS has graded just 2, one
as PR-65 and the other as PR-66. We note that Eliasberg did not have a proof
dime of this date. Currently in NGC holder #636772-001. Identifiable by a small
streak on Liberty's cheek, at an angle towards her bust, and the O in OF has a
mark on the left side. Color photo.
Estimated Value $20,000-25,000.
Probably from Heritage's 3/95 sale, lot 5176.
Lot 473
1825. JR-2, R-2.
PCGS graded MS-62. Good luster and pleasing color of steel gray at
the center with light golden peripheral toning. This one has a typical weak
strike on the reverse, with some weakness on the high points of the eagle and
upper curls on Liberty too. Scarce this nice, and a slightly better date.
Estimated Value $800-1,000.
From the Benson collection and purchased
from J. C. Macallister on February 20, 1945 for $7.50.
Lot 474
1827. JR-4, R-2.
PCGS graded MS-63. A golden toned with rose highlights jewel. As all
too often seen, this one is weakly struck at the centers and on the stars, but
the luster and surfaces confirm the grade.
Estimated Value $1,400-1,700.
From the Benson collection and purchased from J. C. Macallister on
February 20, 1945 for $5.00.