Feb 18-19, 2002, The Benson Collection Part 2, Sale 13
Lot 1445
1890. PCGS graded
MS-65. A condition rarity in this grade, the surfaces show a touch of gold
on the lower right rim of the obverse, while the devices are heaped with frost.
Clean surfaces and fields, and just the ticket for the specialist. PCGS reports
134 graded this high, with none graded higher, so don't go looking for a better
one.
Estimated Value $1,200-1,400.
Lot 1446
1890 and 1890-S.
Both are PCGS graded MS-64. Further, both are in old green insert
PCGS holders. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value $200-250.
Lot 1447
1890 (4 Pieces).
These grade from MS-60 to 63. Toned with beautiful colors on each
side, well organized and vibrant. Good luster beneath, and nice surfaces for
the grade on each. Lot of 4 coins.
Estimated Value $120-150.
From
the Benson collection.
Lot 1448
1890-CC. PCGS
graded MS-65. Better surfaces than one might expect for a "65", and we see
few signs of handling aside from minimal ticks. Great luster and color, with no
toning whatsoever. PCGS has graded 126 as such, with a few more as PL and DMPL,
with a scant 6 higher. Hence, a date which can hardly be bested for technical
grade, and certainly not for surface and eye appeal. One of the tougher Carson
City dates, and worthy of the finest set.
Estimated Value $3,200-3,700.
Lot 1449
1890-CC. PCGS
graded MS-64. A hint of gold on the obverse, and sharp. In an old green
insert PCGS holder. Scarce this nice, and rare any better.
Estimated Value
$600-700.
Lot 1450
1890-O. PCGS graded
MS-66. A condition rarity that is bested by none, and downright rare this
nice. PCGS reports just 8 graded this high, with 2 others as Prooflike or DMPL,
and none graded higher. Therefore, if you positively have to have the best
available, then here is a coin you must own. Flaming white luster and nearly
perfect surfaces. The strike too, is second to none, with the curls over
Liberty's ear and the breast feathers as sharp as any seen of this date.
Identifiable by a small planchet flake in the field above stars eleven and
twelve. Expect a big price when this one crosses the block.
Estimated Value
$4,500-5,000.
Lot 1451
1890-O. MS-64
Prooflike. Well struck and totally white with excellent contrast between
the fields and devices.
Estimated Value $250-300.
Lot 1452
1891. PCGS graded
MS-65. Another rare date in gem grades, as are all the 1889-95 issues. This
particular one boasts mint fresh white luster with well struck devices. PCGS in
the Population Report shows just 44 graded this high, none as PL or DMPL this
high, and delightfully only 2 are graded higher. This is VAM-2, with the
doubled ear and closed 9, which even a bit more punch to this knockout coin.
Estimated Value $4,500-5,000.
Lot 1453
1891. PCGS graded
MS-64. In an old small style PCGS holder, and still untoned. A scarce date
this nice.
Estimated Value $350-UP.
Lot 1454
1891. NGC graded
MS-64. Glowing reddish gold on the obverse over hot luster, the reverse
still white and untoned. A scarce date, and nearly a gem.
Estimated Value
$300-350.
Lot 1455
1891-CC. PCGS
graded MS-65. A lovely gem example of this date, the surfaces awash in
luster and the devices well frosted. In the old style small PCGS holder, which
is seldom encountered much these days. Free of toning and value diminishing
bagmarks, and just about as nice as the day it was coined.
Estimated Value
$1,600-1,800.
Lot 1456
1891-CC. PCGS
graded MS-64. Sharp save for the hair over Liberty's ear and a few of the
breast feathers, with light gold at the edge. Popular date and mint. Liberty's
cheek is nice for the grade.
Estimated Value $400-600.
Lot 1457
1891-O. PCGS graded
MS-64. Satiny and bright, with scattered handling ticks. In an old green
insert PCGS holder. PCGS has graded 632 this high, but just 38 higher, all
MS-65.
Estimated Value $350-UP.
Lot 1458
1891-S. PCGS graded
MS-64. Frosty white luster and with a whisper of toning on each side. A
beauty that is in the old green insert PCGS holder.
Estimated Value
$150-200.
Lot 1459
1891-S. PCGS graded
MS-64. Hazy antique gold toning on the obverse, with abundant mint luster
in the fields. The reverse is toned with a medium gold color and the surfaces
are nice for the grade. Scarce in this state of preservation.
Estimated
Value $150-175.
From the Benson collection.
Lot 1460
1892. PCGS graded
MS-64. Flatly struck especially at the periphery. In an old green insert
PCGS holder, and flashy.
Estimated Value $400-600.
Lot 1461
1892. ICG graded
MS-64. Mostly white save for light gold at the rims. A scarce date. Weakly
struck on some of the stars and peripheral devices.
Estimated Value
$300-400.
Lot 1462
1892-CC. PCGS
graded MS-65. The brief tenure of the Carson City Mint was about to come to
an end when this one was stamped. Coinage began in 1870, and by 1893 the Mint
was closed, as the mountain of silver from the Comstock Mines began to play
out. PCGS has graded 147 this high, with just 14 graded higher, making this one
of the best coins available to represent this important and scarce date.
Estimated Value $3,500-3,800.
Lot 1463
1892-CC. PCGS
graded MS-64. Light gold on the obverse, darker gold and blue on the
reverse. Sharp and well preserved.
Estimated Value $900-1,200.
Lot 1464
1892-O. PCGS graded
MS-66. Flashy and untoned, with a super strike for this date (often found
weak). The surfaces are superb, and show virtually no signs of contact. The
luster and frost literally jump off this coin, and it looks like it was struck
just today. No signs of toning or age. Only 1 bag turned up in 1977 according
to Breen, but there seem to be a fair number of this date in lower mint state
grades. In gem however, this date deserves the classic rarity status it has
long held. PCGS has graded a meager 4 coins this high, with a single coin
graded higher. Thus, if you are assembling a high end gem collection, and
demand the finest available, then purchase this one!
Estimated Value
$15,000-20,000.
Lot 1465
1892-O. PCGS graded
MS-64. A couple of scuffs on the cheek, but strong luster and delicate
toning on the rims. Scarce this nice.
Estimated Value $350-UP.
Lot 1466
1892-O. NGC graded
MS-64. A frosty white specimen with remarkably clean surfaces.
Estimated Value $350-400.
Lot 1467
1892-S. PCGS graded
MS-65. Remarkably, this is the only MS-65 coin of this date graded by PCGS!
There are 10 pieces which have been graded higher, and a few in lower mint
state grades. No bags of mint state coins of this date turned up. While
overshadowed by the 1893-S, the 1892-S deserves significant attention too. In
particular, most of the mintage was melted, as happened to the 1893-S in the
disastrous Pittman Act of 1918. Forget the mintage of 1,200,000, after the
massive meltings it appears that less than one percent survive, perhaps far
less than that. This coin boasts a light golden glaze of toning over very
lustrous surfaces. The strike is sharp, with full hair over Liberty's ear, and
excellent details on even the central breast feathers on the eagle. An
exceptional opportunity to purchase one of the great rarities of the Morgan
silver dollar series in full gem grade is not to be taken lightly. Once again,
this collection offers many of the dates in extremely high grades, including
the key dates, so bid wisely and well.
Estimated Value $50,000-70,000.