Feb 18-19, 2002, The Benson Collection Part 2, Sale 13
Lot 717
1863. NGC graded
Proof 64. Deep smoky gray in color with a few streaks on the reverse,
boldly struck too.
Estimated Value $1,100-1,300.
Lot 718
1864. PCGS graded
Proof 65. Rose and blue toning on both sides and a no nonsense gem. A glass
will locate minor hairlines but they are not detracting. Philadelphia coined
470 proof quarters in 1864, and this is one of the best to survive. PCGS has
graded 13 this high, with just 3 graded higher. Seductive toning from the Wayte
Raymond albums where these were stored for some 56 years.
Estimated Value
$3,000-3,500.
From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed
on August 17, 1944 as part of a set of Proof quarters from 1858 to 1915 for
$235.00.
Lot 719
1864. NGC graded
Proof 64. A glittering and very choice proof specimen. Although not
designated on the holder, this coin has excellent cameo contrast and is
platinum grey in appearance. A total of only 470 proofs were made.
Estimated Value $1,100-1,300.
Lot 720
1865. PCGS graded
Proof 65. Dark field toning with a silvery center on Liberty. We note a
tiny dark spot near Liberty's heart, and the reverse toning is slightly cloudy.
As to the quality, this gem boasts wonderful surfaces and is free of handling
marks or similar problems. PCGS has graded only 6 as PR-65, with 13 graded
higher from the original mintage of 500 coins. Color photo.
Estimated Value
$3,000-3,500.
From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed
on August 17, 1944 as part of a set of Proof quarters from 1858 to 1915 for
$235.00.
Lot 721
1866. With motto.
PCGS graded Proof 64. Gorgeous toning throughout with ocean cove
blue at the periphery, and rich gold fading to white towards the center. Clean
surfaces, but we do note light hairlines which apparently account for the
moderate grade from PCGS. You won't want to upgrade this one as the colors can
not be duplicated, or surpassed.
Estimated Value $550-650.
From the
Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on August 17, 1944 as part of
a set of Proof quarters from 1858 to 1915 for $235.00.
Lot 722
1867. PCGS graded
Proof 66. Vibrant blue and gold toning around the periphery of each side,
with snowy white centers of deep frost on the devices. Minor hairlines are the
only signs of any contact. Identifiable by one small speck at the outside upper
point of the first star near the rim. A wonder coin, as you will always wonder
why you didn't bid more to buy it when you had the chance. PCGS has graded 4
this high, with a single coin graded higher of the original 625 minted. Color
photo.
Estimated Value $3,500-4,000.
From the Benson collection and
purchased from Ira S. Reed on August 17, 1944 as part of a set of Proof
quarters from 1858 to 1915 for $235.00.
Lot 723
1868. PCGS graded
Proof 65. Here again is a magnificently toned rare date proof seated
quarter. PCGS has only graded 8 this high, with none graded higher! It
simply staggers the imagination to comprehend the majesty of this collection.
Not only are most of the coins in gem condition, but many are tied for, or
close to, the finest seen of the various dates represented. Further, the coins
were carefully stored in Wayte Raymond cardboard albums, so all the silver
pieces toned with a dazzling array of blues and golds. And, last but not least,
Dr. Benson didn't clean his coins, nor did he take them in and out of the
holders (such action can cause "slide marks" on the high points of the devices,
particularly Liberty's cheek on Barber coins). When Dr. Benson brought his
collection in to our offices, Larry Goldberg spent many hours carefully
removing the coins from the Wayte Raymond holders to make sure no slide marks
occurred. The coins were then sent to PCGS for encapsulation and grading.
Needless to say, once these coins are sold, a similar set will probably not be
offered anytime soon. Color photo.
Estimated Value $1,100-1,300.
From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on August 17,
1944 as part of a set of Proof quarters from 1858 to 1915 for $235.00.
Lot 724
1868. NGC graded
MS-65. Rare in this state of preservation, especially with such clean
surfaces, enough so to keep this in the gem class. Fully struck too, with crisp
stars surrounding Liberty, and all the fine details on the eagle as well.
Bright white and frosty, with no signs of toning aside from some haze on the
reverse. One reeding tick left of the eagle's neck should serve as an identity
marker. NGC in their Population Report note 4 graded this high, with none
higher, and PCGS has but 2 as MS-65, with a single coin graded a notch higher.
That easily places this coin in the top dozen known of the date.
Estimated
Value $4,000-5,000.
Lot 725
1869. PCGS graded
Proof 64. Rich midnight blue toning with a russet area on Liberty, the
reverse much lighter with a tawny gold ring through the lettering, white inside
that area. Only 600 were struck, and PCGS has graded 32 as PR-64, with just 12
graded higher. This one has no distracting marks or hairlines, but may have
been downgraded because of the depth of the toning. Color photo.
Estimated
Value $550-650.
From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S.
Reed on August 17, 1944 as part of a set of Proof quarters from 1858 to 1915
for $235.00.
Lot 726
1870. PCGS graded
Proof 64. Snow white at the center of the obverse, with yellow gold and
rose, followed by midnight blue at the rim. On the reverse, gold around the
periphery, bright at the center. A few wispy hairlines from a higher grade, as
no other contact marks can be found. PCGS has graded 30 as such, with just 10
higher. A magnificent coin that will bring a premium for the colors. Color
photo.
Estimated Value $550-650.
From the Benson collection and
purchased from Ira S. Reed on August 17, 1944 as part of a set of Proof
quarters from 1858 to 1915 for $235.00.
Lot 727
1871. PCGS graded
Proof 64. Another stunner with vibrant blue and gold on the obverse,
lighter gold on the reverse, blast white at the centers. Minor hairlines from
an even higher grade. PCGS notes 27 this high, with 12 graded higher. Color
photo.
Estimated Value $550-650.
From the Benson collection and
purchased from Ira S. Reed on August 17, 1944 as part of a set of Proof
quarters from 1858 to 1915 for $235.00.
Lot 728
1872. PCGS graded
Proof 64. Well toned with darker hues around the obverse, bright at the
centers, the reverse with an even gold hue throughout and darker gold at the
rims. Some hairlines in the fields from a higher technical grade. Color photo.
Estimated Value $550-650.
From the Benson collection and purchased
from Ira S. Reed on August 17, 1944 as part of a set of Proof quarters from
1858 to 1915 for $235.00.
Lot 729
1872-S. Sharpness of
Fine-15 but cleaned and starting to retone. The surfaces have been cleaned
to a dull gray shade, with mottled gold starting to form in certain areas.
Typical circulation marks on both sides. A rare date that is seldom offered in
any grade. Most of the original mintage was apparently melted near the time of
issue. A rare coin with a good pedigree.
Estimated Value $500-600.
From Bowers & Merena's Norweb Collection Sale, part II, March 1988, lot
1645.
Lot 730
1873. No arrows. Closed 3.
PCGS graded Proof 66. Booming white frost at the centers and dark
gold and blue toning at the obverse rims. The reverse similar, dark at the
edges with gold hues spanning the center too. Identifiable by a lint mark in
the field below the S of TRUST. Mint records reflect just 600 coined in Proof,
some of which may have been melted later. PCGS notes only 2 graded this high,
with a single coin graded higher. If you want one of the best from this
collection, here is a fine opportunity.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,400.
From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on August 17,
1944 as part of a set of Proof quarters from 1858 to 1915 for $235.00.
Lot 731
1873. Arrows. NGC
graded Proof 67 Eliasberg. Here is one of the very finest graded of this
scarce type issue and one with a grand pedigree too. The surfaces are virtually
perfect, and show deep mirroring in the fields and well frosted devices. On the
rim we note a lovely arc of blue toning and additional gold surrounding through
the stars and date. NGC has graded just 3 this high, and PCGS 1 more, and
neither service has graded any higher! An important opportunity for the
specialist, and worthy of the greatest type collection ever formed.
Estimated Value $10,000-14,000.
From Bowers and Merena's sale of the
Eliasberg Collection, April 1997.