Feb 18-19, 2002, The Benson Collection Part 2, Sale 13
Lot 1016
1860. PCGS graded
Proof 62. Lovely blue peripheral toning and yellow gold at the center of
the obverse, the reverse a matte gray color. Sharply struck, but cleaned long
ago with the resulting hairlines notable in the fields. Scarce, and still quite
appealing. Color photo.
Estimated Value $550-600.
From the Benson
collection and purchased from Celina Coin Company on February 10, 1945 for
$12.50.
Lot 1017
1861. PCGS graded
Proof 63. Well frosted on the devices, and the fields and rims are toned a
deep silver gray. The fields show few signs of hairlines or other similar
problems, and this is nice for the grade.
Estimated Value $700-800.
From the Benson collection and purchased from Stack's on October 21,
1944 for $12.50.
Lot 1018
1861. MS-60.
This one has probably been cleaned long ago as the surfaces are more
reflective than usual, but still retain abundant luster. Delicate blue and gold
toning around the periphery, bright elsewhere.
Estimated Value $200-250.
From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on February
21, 1944 for $3.00.
Lot 1019
1862. PCGS graded
Proof 64. Dark golden gray in the fields, with blue at the rims, and frosty
white at the centers of the obverse, while the reverse is more gray and hazy
gold. Scarce this nice, with well preserved surfaces throughout.
Estimated
Value $1,500-1,700.
From the Benson collection and purchased from
Stack's on October 21, 1944 for $8.00.
Lot 1020
1863. PCGS graded
Proof 65. A magnificent gem proof specimen boasting an evenly distributed
blend of midnight blue and violet iridescent toning. Certainly one of the more
beautiful survivors from a mintage of only 460 struck.
Estimated Value
$3,500-4,000.
Lot 1021
1863. PCGS graded
Proof 62. Toned with yellow and green shades on both sides over minor
hairlines in the fields. The colors are not as well organized on this one as
most of the others. Color photo.
Estimated Value $500-600.
From the
Benson collection and purchased in a group of Proofs from 1859 to 1908 from
James G. Macallister on October 17, 1944 for $200.00.
Lot 1022
1864. PCGS graded
Proof 64. Superb toning on this one with radiant blue and gold around the
edges, and well frosted on the devices. No handling marks worth noting, and
hairlines are at a minimum.
Estimated Value $1,500-1,700.
From the
Benson collection and purchased in a group of Proofs from 1859 to 1908 from
James G. Macallister on October 17, 1944 for $200.00.
Lot 1023
1865. PCGS graded
Proof 66. This one is nearly off the charts. Milky white toning with
mottled green and gold around the obverse periphery, the reverse toning more
organized with blue and gold around the rim, blazing white at the centers.
Hairlines, if any, are faint. Handling marks are virtually non existent.
Identifiable by a tiny mark on the cap. Fully struck, and outstanding in every
way. We note that PCGS has graded just 8 this high, with none graded
higher! Don't miss this one if you want a spectacular example for your set
of this scarce proof issue.
Estimated Value $7,000-9,000.
From the
Benson collection and purchased in a group from B. Max Mehl on April 2, 1945
for $12.50.
Lot 1024
1866. With motto.
PCGS graded Proof 66. Bullseye blue and gold toning on the obverse
with a large center white area, less toning on the reverse. A few very minor
hairlines can be seen with a glass and a strong light, but no other handling
marks are seen. This is the (slightly) recut date variety. PCGS notes in their
Population Report that 4 have been graded this high, with none graded higher. A
frosty delight for the connoisseur. Color photo.
Estimated Value
$3,000-4,000.
From the Benson collection and purchased in a group from
B. Max Mehl on April 2, 1945 for $8.00.
Lot 1025
1867. PCGS graded
Proof 66. One of the finest graded of this date, PCGS notes 5 this high,
again, with none graded higher. Deep gold, red and blue on the obverse, with
the central bright area a bit left of center, which remains untoned from many
decades storage in the Wayte Raymond National Pages album. Well frosted on the
devices, and strongly struck. Traces of faint hairlines, but no real signs of
handling otherwise, keeping this coin in the pristine gem category.
Estimated Value $3,000-4,000.
From the Benson collection and
purchased in a group of Proofs from 1859 to 1908 from James G. Macallister on
October 17, 1944 for $200.00.
Lot 1026
1867. Proof 60.
We note some scratches in the left obverse field, well concealed by the
deep multi-color toning. Together with: 1885 Dime in Mint State
60. Two coins in lot.
Estimated Value $400-450.
Lot 1027
1868. PCGS graded
Proof 64. Magnificent blue and gold around the rims, with well frosted
devices on each side. Trivial hairlines from a higher grade, and we note two
minute specks on the obverse, one before Liberty's face, another between the
eleventh and twelfth stars. Scarce any better, and tough to find this nice.
Estimated Value $600-800.
From the Benson collection and purchased
in a group of Proofs from 1859 to 1908 from James G. Macallister on October 17,
1944 for $200.00.
Lot 1028
1869. PCGS graded
Proof 64. Delicate blue and gold around the edge, and bright elsewhere.
Minor hairlines and just a couple of tiny ticks from handling. One minute lint
mark below the left side of the rock on the obverse, shaped like a question
mark, will serve to identify.
Estimated Value $600-800.
From the
Benson collection and purchased in a group of Proofs from 1859 to 1908 from
James G. Macallister on October 17, 1944 for $200.00.
Lot 1029
1870. PCGS graded
Proof 63. Great color at the edges and mostly white at the centers, with
some hairlines accounting for the grade.
Estimated Value $450-500.
From the Benson collection and purchased in a group from B. Max Mehl on
April 2, 1945 for $8.00.
Lot 1030
1871. PCGS graded
Proof 63. Hazy toning at the center of the obverse, which changes to gold
then blue at the rim. Similar on the reverse but the toning is in the form of
an arc on the left side. Moderate hairlines in the fields account for the
grade, great eye appeal though.
Estimated Value $450-500.
From the
Benson collection and purchased in a group of Proofs from 1859 to 1908 from
James G. Macallister on October 17, 1944 for $200.00.
Lot 1031
1872. PCGS graded
Proof 64. Exceptional toning on the obverse with bulls eye white at the
center, blue, gold and yellow toning around in rings. The reverse is especially
frosty. As to the strike, it is sharp on the obverse, with minor weakness on
the eagle's head. Another scarce issue, especially so nice. Color photo.
Estimated Value $600-800.
From the Benson collection and purchased
in a group of Proofs from 1859 to 1908 from James G. Macallister on October 17,
1944 for $200.00.