Feb 18-19, 2002, The Benson Collection Part 2, Sale 13
Lot 509
1853. Arrows. PCGS
graded MS-66. Snowy white luster and with just a hint of gold toning on the
reverse. Boldly struck and with full stars and minute details on the wreath
show complete details. A scarce type issue, with few seen in grades even
approaching this. PCGS has graded 25 this high, with just 16 graded higher. The
arrows were added to reflect the slight reduction in the silver content of
these from prior issues, in an attempt to get small silver coins circulating
again after the disruptions of the California gold rush drove down the price of
gold, making silver more valuable, relatively.
Estimated Value
$3,000-3,500.
Lot 510
1853. Arrows. PCGS
graded MS-64. A glowing example that will delight the collector who loves
toned coins. Deep blue at the edge, with fiery rose and gold next, fading to a
sunset glow at the centers. An outstanding example for the grade, and the
surfaces show few signs of contact, even with a strong glass. Color photo.
Estimated Value $800-900.
From the Benson collection and purchased
from James G. Macallister on February 20, 1945 for $1.50.
Lot 511
1853. Arrows. PCGS
graded AU-58 Premium Quality. Gold around the edge, with a bright area near
the rim to the cap. This one must have circulated for just a few minutes. An
opportunity.
Estimated Value $150-200.
From the Benson collection
and purchased from James G. Macallister on March 31, 1944 for $1.00.
Lot 512
1854. NGC graded
MS-64. Gold and gray toning on both sides over decent luster in the fields.
Sharply struck, with a curious die break at the center of the obverse on
Liberty. The with arrows variety is scarce, and a short-lived type.
Estimated Value $500-750.
Lot 513
1854. PCGS graded
MS-62. Satiny gray toning over luster, with flecks of deeper gold and
russet on the devices. Nicely impressed and much better than one would expect
for the moderate grade assigned. A scarce and desirable type coin.
Estimated Value $250-300.
From the Benson collection and purchased
from James G. Macallister on February 20, 1945 for $2.00.
Lot 514
1855. AU-50.
Lightly toned with gold and cloudy gray touches.
Estimated Value
$90-110.
From the Benson collection and purchased from James Macallister
on February 20, 1945 for $2.00.
Lot 515
1856. Large date.
PCGS graded AU-55. A classic example of "Benson" toning, deep blue
peripheries, fiery red and bright at the centers. As to the grade, well, take a
look and see what you think. This one will bring a strong price, which it
heartily deserves.
Estimated Value $125-150.
From the Benson
collection and purchased from James Macallister on February 20, 1945 for $2.00.
Lot 516
1856. Small date.
PCGS graded AU-58. Abundant luster and vibrant peripheral colors on
both sides. Sharply struck on the stars and devices, but the dentils are weak,
as struck. Another that will defy the grade assigned by bringing a strong price
for the quality offered.
Estimated Value $125-150.
From the Benson
collection and purchased from James Macallister on February 20, 1945 for $5.00.
Lot 517
1857. PCGS graded
MS-64. Iridescent tones of yellow and gold on the obverse, silvery gray on
the reverse offset by deeper blue at the rims. Good luster beneath, but not
quite as pretty as some of the other Benson coins.
Estimated Value
$750-850.
From the Benson collection and purchased from James
Macallister on February 20, 1945 for $1.50.
Lot 518
1857. EF-45.
Deeply toned.
Estimated Value $25-30.
From the Benson collection
and purchased from Ira S. Reed on May 27, 1944 for 85¢ as Extremely Fine.
Lot 519
1857-O. NGC graded
MS-65. A gorgeous gem specimen with an array of rich rainbow colors evenly
distributed on both sides.
Estimated Value $1,800-2,000.
Lot 520
1858. NGC graded
Proof 65. It appears that about 100 of these were coined, with most
survivors in lower grades. This particular gem coin boasts watery fields and
good contrast between the devices and fields. A few stray marks are noted in
the fields, and identifiable by a small tick on Liberty's left arm, just below
her wrist. Essentially untoned, with frosty white surfaces, and just a bit of
gold and blue starting at the rims, moreso on the reverse. NGC has graded 13
this high, with 11 graded higher, while PCGS has graded just 7 this high with 2
higher. This one has the characteristics noted in Breen's Proof Encyclopedia,
confirming its obvious status as a proof coin.
Estimated Value
$3,000-3,500.
Lot 521
1858. PCGS graded
MS-64. A gorgeous example from the Benson collection that boasts deep blue
at the rims and russet shades at the centers. Boldly struck throughout, and
worthy of a gem collection. Struck from lightly clashed dies on the obverse.
Throw the sheets away if you want to own this coin. Color photo.
Estimated
Value $800-900.
From the Benson collection and purchased from James
Macallister on March 31, 1944 as part of a set from 1858 to 1915 for $195.00.
Lot 522
1858. PCGS graded
AU-55. An average strike and toned an even deep gray color on both sides.
Estimated Value $90-100.
From the Benson collection and purchased
from B. Max Mehl on November 22, 1944 for $9.50.
Lot 523
1858. EF-45.
Cleaned long ago with the usual hairlines in the fields, and now retoned
with lovely blue at the rims. Sharply struck.
Estimated Value $25-30.
From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on March 22,
1944 for $1.25.
Lot 524
1859. PCGS graded
Proof 64. This one has snowy deep frost on the devices, and well mirrored
fields surrounding. Deep blue at the rims, fading to gold then to white. Some
very minor hairlines must account for the conservative grade.
Estimated
Value $1,400-1,600.
From the Benson collection and purchased from James
Macallister on March 31, 1944 as part of a set from 1858 to 1915 for $195.00.
Lot 525
1860. PCGS graded
Proof 64. Deeply frosted on the devices and well mirrored fields surround.
Offset even further by deep blue at the rims, and golden fields while the
centers remain white. Fully struck, and superb quality for the grade.
Estimated Value $450-550.
From the Benson collection and purchased
from James Macallister on March 31, 1944 as part of a set from 1858 to 1915 for
$195.00.
Lot 526
1861. PCGS graded
Proof 63. Sparkling white at the center, deepening to blue and gold at the
rims. Minor hairlines from a higher grade. Good color and surfaces for the
grade assigned.
Estimated Value $300-350.
From the Benson collection
and purchased from James Macallister on March 31, 1944 as part of a set from
1858 to 1915 for $195.00.
Lot 527
1862. PCGS graded
Proof 62. Deep gold and blue in color, with some scattered handling ticks
and hairlines as usual. Only 550 proofs struck of this date.
Estimated
Value $200-250.
From the Benson collection and purchased from James
Macallister on March 31, 1944 as part of a set from 1858 to 1915 for $195.00.
Lot 528
1863. PCGS graded
Proof 64. Ocean deep blue at the rims, then red to gold, while the centers
are frosty white on this one. Minor hairlines but downright nice for the grade.
Boldly struck and outstanding quality.
Estimated Value $450-500.
From the Benson collection and purchased from James Macallister on March
31, 1944 as part of a set from 1858 to 1915 for $195.00.