Feb 18-19, 2002, The Benson Collection Part 2, Sale 13
Lot 1271
1878. 8 tail feathers.
PCGS graded Proof 63. Bluish gray toning with rose highlights on the
devices, and evenly toned on both sides. The fields show some hairlines, but
Liberty's face is especially nice. One of just 500 struck in Proof, this the
first year of issue of the new Morgan design. These were struck in March of
1878, and soon thereafter the design was changed to show seven tail feathers on
the eagle pursuant to Mint Director Linderman. Identifiable by a small toning
spot in the field midway between Liberty's lips and the stars, and a small
round low area just below the middle of eagle's beak. Color photo.
Estimated Value $1,700-2,000.
From the Benson collection and
purchased from B. Max Mehl on July 9, 1945 for $22.50.
Lot 1272
1878. 8 tail feathers.
PCGS graded MS-66. One of the finest graded of this initial
production run of Morgan dollars. PCGS has graded 17 as such, with a single
coin graded higher, confirming this is truly one of the finest around of the 8
tail feather variety. We note the N of ONE is doubled, as are other letters on
the reverse, but the beak and top arrow are not doubled. Perhaps this is a
slightly doubled die or some other minor variety. Bright white and lustrous,
with no signs of toning on this one. Fully struck and exceptional quality for
the date.
Estimated Value $6,000-7,000.
Lot 1273
1878. 8 tail feathers.
PCGS graded MS-64. Strong luster and well struck by the dies, the
fields are even slightly prooflike. A touch of gold around the upper edge on
the obverse. Housed in a small old PCGS holder.
Estimated Value $200-250.
Lot 1274
1878. 8 tail feathers.
NGC graded MS-64. Toned with lilac gold on the obverse, evenly
distributed, the reverse white. Scarce this nice.
Estimated Value $200-250.
Lot 1275
1878. 7 tail feathers,
second reverse. PCGS graded MS-66. Another condition rarity in this
grade. Gorgeous luster in the fields with well frosted devices. No signs of
toning and very clean surfaces for the grade. PCGS in their Population Report
shows 15 graded this high, with none graded higher! Keep that in mind
when bidding, there are none graded higher, making this one of the very finest
to come down to us.
Estimated Value $4,500-5,000.
Lot 1276
1878. 7 tail feathers,
second reverse. ICG graded MS-65. Incredible deep multi-color toning
completely covers the obverse, while the reverse is totally white.
Estimated Value $600-700.
Lot 1277
1878 7 tail feathers,
second reverse and 1878 7 tail feathers, third reverse. Both are PCGS
graded MS-64. The second reverse coin has light toning, while the other is
bright and fresh. Both are in old green insert PCGS holders. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value $350-400.
Lot 1278
1878. 7 tail feathers,
third reverse. PCGS graded MS-66. Blazing white in color, with ample
frost and luster in abundance. Superb surfaces, and rarely encountered this
fresh and pristine. PCGS in their Population Report show only 6 graded this
high (5 as normal, and 1 as Prooflike) with none graded higher of this
important variety. Keep that in mind when this one crosses the block! An
important opportunity for the specialist who demands the finest available.
Estimated Value $14,000-18,000.
Lot 1279
1878. 7/8 or Clear doubled
tail feathers, Strong. PCGS graded MS-64. Light gold at the edge,
mostly white and quite lustrous. Clean surfaces for the grade. Housed in an old
small style PCGS holder.
Estimated Value $200-225.
Lot 1280
1878. 7/8 tail feathers
strong, and 1878 7/8 tail feathers weak. Both are PCGS graded MS-64.
The strong reverse coin is toned, and the weak tail feathers reverse is bright
white. Both are in old green insert PCGS holders. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated
Value $350-450.
Lot 1281
1878-CC. PCGS
graded MS-66. Extremely bright and fresh for this date, the surfaces are
pristine and show nary a flaw or tick. PCGS has only graded 103 this high,
including the various prooflike modes, but importantly just 2 have been graded
technically higher. If you demand the very best around, then here is one to
consider. Blast white and untoned with glowing luster.
Estimated Value
$2,000-2,500.
Lot 1282
1878-CC. PCGS
graded MS-66. A magnificent example of this date, PCGS has graded 103 this
high, with 2 graded higher. Obviously, this is one of the best around.
Curiously, the reverse die is rotated about 90 degrees clockwise. Great luster
and clean surfaces, the only tick worth mentioning is near the left obverse
stars.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
Lot 1283
1878-CC. PCGS
graded MS-65. Superb toning on the obverse, deep rose and gold over dancing
luster. The reverse is bright, and somewhat prooflike. Fully struck and a
magnificent gem for the specialist.
Estimated Value $1,000-UP.
Lot 1284
1878-CC. PCGS
graded MS-64. One tick on the cheek from a gem, good luster and scarce.
This one is in an old small style PCGS holder.
Estimated Value $200-225.
Lot 1285
1878-CC. ICG graded
MS-63. Mostly white in color, with a hint of gold at the rim. A couple of
marks below the arrowheads.
Estimated Value $100-125.
Lot 1286
A group of 8 GSA Morgan
Dollars in the black government boxes. These include the following
dates: 1878-CC; 1879-CC; 1880-CC; 1881-CC; 1882-CC; 1883-CC; 1884-CC and
1885-CC and each coin grades MS-60 or better. All are still mounted in the
original GSA black holder. We note the 1879-CC is a clear mintmark example, and
has a long, deep scratch on the left wing of the eagle. Most are white and
untoned. Lot of 8 coins.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
Lot 1287
1878-S. PCGS graded
MS-66. Stunning original toning from the Benson collection, the hues range
through deep gold, gray and yellow in dizzying complexity on the obverse, the
reverse similar with speckled gold evenly distributed. Needless to say, the
surfaces are nearly perfect beneath. Common enough even in this grade, but
still special for its colors.
Estimated Value $500-550.
From the
Benson collection.
Lot 1288
1878-S. ANACS
graded MS-65. Nicely toned with the obverse bisected with a semi-circle of
deep rainbow colors.
Estimated Value $125-200.
Lot 1289
1878-S and 1879.
Both are PCGS graded MS-64. We note these are mostly white, and are
in old green insert PCGS holders. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value $125-150.
Lot 1290
1879. PCGS graded
MS-66. Frosty and bright, with just a whisper of haze on the obverse. Close
examination will note how nearly perfect Liberty's cheek is, and how remarkably
clean the fields are too. Hence the coveted MS-66 grade from PCGS. In their
Population Report we note 28 graded as such, with 2 others in Prooflike or DMPL
grades, and a single coin higher as the finest they've seen.
Estimated
Value $2,500-3,000.
Lot 1291
1879-O. NGC graded
MS-64. Nice and frosty and delicately toned on both sides.
Estimated
Value $250-300.
Lot 1292
1879-O. PCGS graded
MS-64. Flashy and bright, with a bit of gold around the edge. In an old
small style PCGS holder.
Estimated Value $225-275.
Lot 1293
1879-S. Second reverse.
PCGS graded MS-65. This is the rare reverse of 1878, PCGS has graded
just 28 this high with a single coin graded higher! Toned with silky gray
shades over the entire coin and we note that the fields are prooflike beneath
the toning. Clean surfaces throughout, and a gem by any standards. Quickly
identifiable by the parallel arrow feathers on the reverse as the 1878 style.
Estimated Value $3,500-4,000.
From the Benson collection and
purchased from Norman Schultz on April 19, 1946 for $2.00.
Lot 1294
1879-S. Second reverse.
PCGS graded MS-64. A scarce variety that is seldom offered in high
grade. This particular one boasts slightly prooflike fields, good frost on the
devices, and is untoned. Widely scattered marks, and problem free. This is in
an old green insert PCGS holder.
Estimated Value $750-1,000.
Lot 1295
1879-S. Third reverse.
PCGS graded MS-67. Exceptional eye appeal on this one, with satin
smooth fields and devices. Undisturbed mint frost throughout and it would be
hard to imagine a finer example. PCGS has graded 801 this high, with just 55
higher, all MS-68.
Estimated Value $450-500.