Feb 18-19, 2002, The Benson Collection Part 2, Sale 13
Lot 491
1837. No stars, large date.
PCGS graded MS-66. Stunning white luster with a hint of blue and
gold around the rims. Undiminished by time or handling, this coin is virtually
as nice as the day it was coined. This is an example of the shattered obverse
die, with two cracks extending up towards the center from approximately 4:00
and 7:00. Gorgeous luster and pristine surfaces combine to keep this coin in
one of the finest grade categories. PCGS in their Population Report notes that
just 7 have been graded this high, with a single coin graded higher of the date
(and type for that matter!). Certain to be a highlight of whatever collection
it graces.
Estimated Value $8,000-9,000.
From the Benson collection
and purchased from Ira S. Reed on May, 1944 for $4.50 as "uncirculated".
Lot 492
1837. No stars, large date.
EF-45. Delicate blue and gold peripheral toning and nicely struck.
There is one small flaw in the right obverse field, near the cap, and some
surface marks in that area. Frosty luster at the centers. Professionally
cleaned decades ago, and recovering nicely thanks to 56 years of storage in a
National Pages album.
Estimated Value $250-300.
From the Benson
collection and purchased from James G. Macallister on February 20, 1945 for
$7.50.
Lot 493
1838. Large stars.
PCGS graded AU-58. Deep steel gray and gold in color with mint fresh
luster beneath. We note a minor disturbance in the field inside of stars ten
and eleven. This one is truly on the edge of mint state, and exudes exceptional
quality.
Estimated Value $150-200.
From the Benson collection and
purchased from James G. Macallister on February 20, 1945 for $3.00.
Lot 494
1839. No Drapery.
PCGS graded MS-65. Stunning golden gray in color over lustrous
fields. A knock-out gem that will entice any collector for its original color
and pristine surfaces. One of 10 so graded by PCGS, with 9 graded higher (MS-67
best). We note a light die crack down from the top of the rim into the middle
of Liberty's head through her ear lobe, another through the last three stars.
Well struck throughout. One trivial dark toned area below the D of DIME.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,000.
From the Benson collection and
purchased from James G. Macallister on February 20, 1945 for $3.00.
Lot 495
1840. No drapery.
PCGS graded MS-65. Crackling fresh luster beneath the tawny gold
toning on the obverse, more vibrant rose and gold on the reverse. PCGS notes
only 3 graded as such, with 6 graded higher (MS-67 best). Worth examining with
a strong glass, as no fault will be found, the surfaces are remarkably clean.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,000.
From the Benson collection and
purchased from James G. Macallister on February 20, 1945 for $3.50.
Lot 496
1841. PCGS graded
MS-65. One of the finest known of this date, PCGS has graded only 4 this
high, and none are graded higher! Faint repunching at the base of 184
confirms that this is the "double date", or Breen-3234, noted to be very rare.
Bold luster with blue and gold toning on both sides. Another stunning example
for the connoisseur who demands pristine material. Color photo.
Estimated
Value $2,000-2,500.
From the Benson collection and purchased from James
G. Macallister on February 20, 1945 for $3.00.
Lot 497
1842. PCGS graded
AU-55. Deep blue and green around the periphery of the obverse, brighter on
the reverse with just a touch of gold at the edges. Nicely struck and well
preserved.
Estimated Value $90-110.
From the Benson collection and
purchased from James Macallister on February 20, 1945 for $3.00.
Lot 498
1843. PCGS graded
AU-55. Gorgeous blue toning around the rims, white at the center of the
obverse, a bit of gold on the reverse rims, white otherwise. Good luster and
highly appealing.
Estimated Value $90-110.
From the Benson
collection and purchased from James Macallister on February 20, 1945 for $3.00.
Lot 499
1844 "The Little Orphan
Annie" dime. PCGS graded AU-55. Lovely blue and gold peripheral
toning on the obverse, with less toning on the reverse. One of the finest
graded of this scarce date, PCGS has seen only 1 graded as AU-55, and 3 graded
higher (best MS-65). Fully struck by the dies and a spectacular example of this
low mintage date (72,500).
Decades ago this date was hoarded by a hack
writer from Kansas City named Frank C. Ross (Breen), who then fed specimens
from his hoard into the market at much higher prices. Ross is credited with
bestowing the name "Orphan Annie" on the date, although no one is certain why
this name was used. Whatever the cause, the result was higher prices for 1844
dimes, and this is certainly reflected in the price Dr. Benson paid for this
coin, which was more than 10 times as expensive as surrounding dates, and even
double the price of the rarer 1846, purchased at the same time! Color photo.
Estimated Value $1,200-1,700.
From the Benson collection and
purchased from James G. Macallister on February 20, 1945 for $40.00.
Lot 500
1845. PCGS graded
AU-55. Deep blue and russet tones on the obverse, the reverse lighter with
russet around the periphery only. Sharp throughout, and this is an example of
the double date variety. Good luster despite limited circulation.
Estimated
Value $90-110.
From the Benson collection and purchased from James
Macallister on February 20, 1945 for $3.00.
Lot 501
1846. PCGS graded
AU-53. This is the lowest mintage date of the Seated Liberty dimes with
stars obverse, with 31,300 struck. In particular, this one has silvery gray
tones on the obverse, with gold and blue on the reverse. Boldly impressed.
Several of the left obverse stars show lumps near the end of their points. PCGS
has graded 3 as AU-53, with just 2 graded higher, one as AU-55 and the finest
apparently as MS-63. A rarity in any high grade, and this one is certain to
command considerable attention. Identifiable by a tiny tick in the field below
the last star.
Estimated Value $1,400-1,700.
From the Benson
collection and purchased from James Macallister on February 20, 1945 for
$20.00.
Lot 502
1847. PCGS graded
AU-55. Gorgeous blue toning around the periphery with frosty white luster
at the centers. Sharp stars and devices.
Estimated Value $225-275.
From the Benson collection and purchased from James Macallister on
February 20, 1945 for $12.50.
Lot 503
1848. PCGS graded
AU-55. Surrounded by a deep blue ring through the stars, the centers remain
untoned and frosty. The reverse similar, but the ring is a light gold. If only
all coins looked like this....
Estimated Value $100-120.
From the
Benson collection and purchased from James Macallister on February 20, 1945 for
$7.50.
Lot 504
1849. AU-50.
Delightful blue toning on both sides around the periphery, white at the
centers. One faint die crack through the D of UNITED to the top of the I of
DIME on the reverse. Nicely struck and well preserved, although this one was
probably cleaned decades ago with minor hairlines resulting.
Estimated
Value $80-100.
From the Benson collection and purchased from James
Macallister on February 20, 1945 for $3.00.
Lot 505
1850. PCGS graded
AU-55. Vibrant gold and blue on the obverse, with an off-center white
center dot towards the right side of the obverse, more golden and white on the
reverse. Briefly circulated, and downright gorgeous.
Estimated Value
$90-110.
From the Benson collection and purchased from James Macallister
on February 20, 1945 for $2.00.
Lot 506
1851. AU-50.
Matching gold, blue and yellow toning on both sides, with white centers.
Estimated Value $80-100.
From the Benson collection and purchased
from James G. Macallister on February 20, 1945 for $2.50.
Lot 507
1852. PCGS graded
MS-63. Magnificent gold and blue toning on both sides, and nicely struck
for the date. We note two minor dark specks, one below the first star, the
other on Liberty's heel of her left foot. Don't expect a bargain when this one
comes up for bidding, quality like this is never cheap.
Estimated Value
$450-550.
From the Benson collection and purchased from James
Macallister on February 20, 1945 for $2.50.
Lot 508
1853. No arrows.
PCGS graded MS-66 Premium Quality. A mind boggling example of this
low mintage date (95,000). The luster is mint fresh, and the toning is gorgeous
with deep blue surrounding the date, bright at the top of the obverse, and
matching on the reverse. Fully struck, and virtually without signs of handling.
One of the most magnificent coins in the Benson collection, and worthy of a
very strong price. PCGS has graded 6 this high, with 5 graded higher (best
MS-68).
The discovery of gold in California in 1848 changed America's
coinage. By 1853 Congress had to reduce the silver content in order to keep
coins in circulation as the price of silver was now much higher than the price
of gold (dropping because of the golden flood arriving from the California gold
mines). Hence silver coins were worth more than face value, and few entered
circulation. In order to get coins back in circulation, the amount of silver in
each denomination had to be reduced. This was done in March of 1853, and the
slightly smaller, but worth less than face value, coinage was denoted with
"arrows" at the date on all except the silver dollar, whose silver content
remained unchanged, perhaps due to tradition. Color photo.
Estimated Value
$3,000-4,000.
From the Benson collection and purchased from James G.
Macallister on February 20, 1945 for $7.50.