Feb 18-19, 2002, The Benson Collection Part 2, Sale 13

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United States Coins

Silver Dollars

Trade Dollars

Lot 1253 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1877. PCGS graded Proof 64. Bright and deep frost on the devices is well contrasted with the golden toning around the periphery. Excellent surfaces and well struck by the dies. One tiny speck has been removed from beneath the first 7 of the date. There remains some confusion over the original proof mintage for 1877, records suggest only 510 were struck, which would be the lowest proof mintage aside from the 1884 and 1885 Trade dollars. PCGS has graded 43 this high, with just 20 graded higher. An impressive example of this rare date, and a coin that would easily fit in a gem collection for its eye appeal and seductive toning.
Estimated Value $1,800-2,200.
From the Benson collection and purchased from James G. Macallister on June 8, 1944 as part of a Proof Trade dollar set for $120.00.

Lot 1254 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1877-CC. MS-63. Creamy white luster and well struck by the dies. Many of the reported mintage were melted as demand was not as high as expected. We note minor hairlines in the fields, and a few handling ticks which account for the grade, but this is still an appealing coin for the date specialist.
Estimated Value $5,000-6,000.

Lot 1255
1877-CC. VF-20 but Cleaned. Cleaned long ago, with heavy hairlines on both sides. Steel gray and starting to retone.
Estimated Value $175-225.
From the Benson collection and purchased from an unknown source in the 1940s.

Lot 1256 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1877-S. MS-60. Flashy luster in the fields and toned with delicate gold hues and areas of blue and red near the date. Both sides show some blotchy areas, which are not too distracting.
Estimated Value $250-300.
From the Benson collection and purchased from an unknown source in the 1940s.

Lot 1257
1877-S. PCI graded AU-55 "Cleaned". We note that this coin was also retoned, and the reverse is pitted. Our net grade EF. This coin is sharply struck, but the surfaces are hairlined and it is darkly toned with mauve and gray hues.
Estimated Value $100-115.

Lot 1258
1877-S. AU-50. Cleaned and retoned.
Estimated Value $125-175.

Lot 1259 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1878. PCGS graded Proof 64. Coinage of Philadelphia issue 1878 Trade dollars stopped on a dime this year, only 900 were struck in proof and that's it. Throw away the bid sheet if you want to acquire this coin, for it boasts superb blue and gold toning in the fields contrasting with highly frosted devices. Well preserved with few signs of handling, and minimal hairlines. PCGS has graded 69 this high, with 18 graded higher in various grades. An absolute "keeper". Color photo.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,400.
From the Benson collection and purchased from James G. Macallister on June 8, 1944 as part of a Proof Trade dollar set for $120.00.

Lot 1260 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1878-CC. VF-20 cleaned. Sharpness of a higher grade, but cleaned with an abrasive which resulted in heavy hairlines and surfaces that appear to have been polished. Nevertheless, this is a very rare coin, and the key date to the regular issue Trade dollars. A few rim bumps around the lower obverse.
Estimated Value $400-500.
From the Benson collection and purchased from an unknown source in the 1940s.

Lot 1261 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1878-S. PCGS graded MS-64. As you like it. Resplendent toning which will virtually take your breath away, and undisturbed luster and frost throughout. Yes, there are some minor handling marks in the fields, this is a normal business strike issue, and it bounced around in a bag for at least a few years before being set aside by a collector. There is no need to argue the finer points of grading here, this is simply a gorgeous coin that boasts all the eye appeal and then some. Color photo.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,400.
From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on March 28, 1944 for $2.50 (can you imagine!).

Lot 1262 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1878-S. PCGS graded MS-64. A conservative grade for this delightful coin. We note a tiny scuff near Liberty's knee which will serve to identify the coin. Layered in pretty gold toning, some of which appears to have been caused by an ancient fingerprint on the reverse. Great luster and color throughout, with some blue at the edges. Sharp and desirable. PCGS has graded 50 this high, with 26 graded higher.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,400.
From the Benson collection and purchased from an unknown source in the 1940s.

Lot 1263
1878-S (2 pieces). One grades AU-55 and is toned, the other AU-58 and is bright and lustrous. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value $400-500.

Lot 1264 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1879. PCGS graded Proof 63. Issued only in the proof format, the 1879 Trade dollar was a victim of the massive outpouring of Morgan dollars from every mint starting in 1878. 1,541 Trade dollars were struck in 1879, and this one remains choice despite very minor hairlines. Toned with natural gold in the fields, and quite appealing.
Estimated Value $1,400-1,600.
From the Benson collection and purchased from James G. Macallister on June 8, 1944 as part of a Proof Trade dollar set for $120.00.

Lot 1265 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1880. PCGS graded Proof 64. Good color and eye appeal but there are a few trivial hairlines in the fields. Starting to tone around the periphery, and great contrast between the fields and devices.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.

Lot 1266 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1880. PCGS graded Proof 63. Good contrast with frosty devices floating on a glassy sea of mirror fields, surrounded by a touch of gold toning at the edge. 1,987 were struck, most of which were probably mishandled or lost. This choice one boasts clean surfaces for the grade, minimal hairlines and great color.
Estimated Value $1,400-1,600.
From the Benson collection and purchased from James G. Macallister on June 8, 1944 as part of a Proof Trade dollar set for $120.00.

Lot 1267 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1880. Proof 60+. Smoky toning on the obverse, gray at the bottom, and darker up towards the upper right, the reverse with pretty shades of blue and pink, with lighter areas on the eagle. Minor hairlines, but quite presentable for this proof only issue.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,250.

Lot 1268 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1881. PCGS graded Proof 65. A superb gem of this date, only 960 were coined in proof, and most were mishandled. The strike is especially sharp on this, and the frost is piled high on the devices, and this may qualify as a "cameo" next time around. In the color department, this one is a winner, the edges show a rich tapestry of blue and gold towards the stars, while the fields are mostly a deep mirror gray. In their population report, PCGS notes just 38 have been graded this high, with 13 graded higher. One for the perfectionist, who must have the grade and the eye appeal.
Estimated Value $5,500-6,500.
From the Benson collection and purchased from James G. Macallister on June 8, 1944 as part of a Proof Trade dollar set for $120.00.

Lot 1269 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1882. PCGS graded Proof 64. Cameo in appearance with white frost on the devices and lettering, and mirror black reflective fields. Examination will locate a fine array of hairlines, but they are far lighter than usually encountered. Sharply struck with full stars and head on Liberty. Outstanding quality for the grade.
Estimated Value $1,800-2,200.
From the Benson collection and purchased from James G. Macallister on June 8, 1944 as part of a Proof Trade dollar set for $120.00.

Lot 1270 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1883. PCGS graded Proof 62. Right on for the grade, this one has moderate hairlines and is generally untoned on the obverse, with some darker gray on the reverse. Sharply struck, including the obverse stars. 979 were coined, at least half of which survive in decent grades.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,200.
From the Benson collection and purchased from James G. Macallister on June 8, 1944 as part of a Proof Trade dollar set for $120.00.

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