Feb 18-19, 2002, The Benson Collection Part 2, Sale 13
Lot 1835
No Date (1853). BG-501,
R-5+. Octagonal Liberty Gold Dollar. PCGS graded MS-63. One of the
finest graded of this important Frontier & Deviercy issue that has the
Kellogg-Humbert style eagle reverse. Although no date is present on the coin,
research shows that it was coined in 1853. Further, PCGS has graded a total of
34 of this variety, with only 5 this high, with none graded higher, making this
tied for the finest seen by that service! We note it is identifiable by a small
semi circle of tiny planchet flaws on Liberty's cheek, and a minute copper spot
in the field before her mouth. Sharply struck for this is a later die state
with a faint crack through the right end of the ribbon, and this is not
reported in the Breen Gillio reference. Certainly an opportunity for the
advanced specialist of California Fractional Gold.
Estimated Value
$4,000-UP.
Lot 1836
No Date (1853). BG-501,
R-5+. Octagonal Liberty Gold Dollar. PCGS graded MS-63. One of the
finest graded of this important variety, PCGS has only graded 5 this high, with
none graded higher! Further, this one is housed in an old green insert PCGS
holder. Popular because of the reverse motif, with the Kellogg style eagle with
ribbon familiar to territorial gold collectors. Liberty's hair is sharp, and
her cheek is clean. On the reverse we note some minor hairlines under GOLD in
the field, and a die crack from the tip of the right ribbon end to the rim
below. Worth a strong bid and very difficult to locate in top grades. Featured
on Doering's cover for good reason. Color photo.
Estimated Value $4,000-UP.
Purchased privately from Jay Roe in 1990.
Lot 1837
Two California Gold
souvenir obverse dies, dated "1855" and "1858" plus "1859" coin. Contained
in a custom piece of Lucite, the two obverse dies show identical heads of
Liberty, each surrounded by 13 large stars, and the date below. Both dies show
extensive cracks and rust, and one shows a retained cud through the lower
stars. Also included is a single "1859"dated gold coin, evidently made by a
very similar die, the reverse states CALIFORNIA GOLD, within the large wreath,
and a five pointed star is noted at the center. These were available up to the
1960s although we are uncertain of their origins. The edge of the coin is
plain. These dies and coins were struck as souvenirs and sold to collectors.
Estimated Value $500-UP.
Lot 1838
1852. BG-401, R-4. Round
Liberty Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-64. A scarce issue from Frontier
& Deviercy, one which is seldom found so exceptional. The surfaces and quite
frosty, and the strike is good for the issue. We note that all the stars are
full, and Liberty shows good detail too, with the only trivial weakness on the
top of the 5 of the date at the center of the reverse. Yellow gold in color and
a delight for the specialist. PCGS has graded 5 this high, with just 2 graded
higher (both MS-65), making this one of the best around of the variety.
Estimated Value $400-500.
Lot 1839
1853. BG-302, R-5.
"Peacock reverse". Octagonal Liberty Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-63.
One of the finest of this popular variety, PCGS notes just 16 graded this
high, with 11 graded higher for the variety. This one is toned with coppery
hues and is mounted in an old green insert PCGS holder. Well struck for the
variety, and we note this is the early die state before the cud formed over the
right obverse star. In feverish demand for the unusual reverse design, which is
a small eagle with rays behind (like the quarters and half dollars of 1853),
the rays have the appearance of a peacock with his tail feathers spread, hence
the name. Color photo.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
Lot 1840
1853. BG-435, R-5. State
Arms of California. Round Liberty Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-64. A
classic example of this highly desirable issue. Mint fresh luster throughout,
with slightly prooflike fields on the obverse. Boldly struck by the dies, and
quite well preserved. An excellent coin for the grade in every way. One faint
coppery spot right of the eagle's beak may help trace the pedigree.
It is
not known who struck these, but they are almost certainly a Period One issue
(1852-56). The State Arms of California shows a draped and helmeted Liberty,
holding a spear and shield with a bear at her side. On the reverse, an eagle
with outstretched wings, holding a scroll in its beak, with a shield in one
claw, and a branch in the other, encircled by the inscription CALIFORNIA GOLD
HALF DOLLAR. Needless to say, this is an extremely important type issue, and
one that is rare in high grades. In a recent PCGS Population Report we see that
5 have been graded this high, with 2 graded higher. Color photo.
Estimated
Value $4,000-5,000.
Lot 1841
1856. BG-311, R-4.
Octagonal Liberty Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-64. Lovely color and
clean surfaces for this issue, and very choice indeed. Liberty's head is well
frosted, and the fields retain their mirror polish from the original finish
work on the dies. Sharply defined throughout. This appears to be an early die
state, but it is impossible to tell as the PCGS holder covers over the edges
where the die breaks first appear. PCGS notes only 2 coins graded this high of
the variety, with none graded higher! A foremost opportunity for the advanced
specialist.
Estimated Value $1,000-UP.
Lot 1842
1867. BG-709, R-5.
Octagonal Liberty Quarter Dollar. PCGS graded MS-64. As Jay Roe
says, "This is the best made of the large Liberty Head types", and as Breen
notes, "which isn't saying much" an interesting dialogue that has kept
numismatics amusing. On this particular example, we note excellent contrast
between the frosty devices and the mirror fields, and the coin boasts a
delightful rich yellow gold color. As to the die execution, the stars are
somewhat crude, and Liberty's head is a bit large and forbidding, with an
athlete's neck to support her. Note the reverse die alignment is 180 degrees
from a normal coin. PCGS has graded 16 this high, with 32 graded higher.
Estimated Value $200-250.
Lot 1843
1870. BG-1203, R-5. Round
Liberty Gold Dollar. PCGS graded MS-63. Prooflike fields on both
sides and well struck for this issue. These gold dollars were coined by Robert
B. Gray & Co., and signed with a small "G" below the truncation of Liberty,
just above the date. There are some minute hairlines and these probably account
for the grade, and we note a small hazy toning spot just above Liberty's head
behind her coronet. This is the later die state with the light crack through
the center of the reverse. Always popular and rare this nice, PCGS in their
Population Report show 6 graded this high with just 2 graded higher (both
MS-64). Color photo.
Estimated Value $3,500-4,500.
Purchased from
Jay Roe in February 1989.
Lot 1844
1871. BG-813, R-4. Round
Liberty Quarter Dollar. PCGS graded MS-65. Bold and beautiful, with
full frost on the devices and mirror fields around. This is an early die state,
with the so called "broken nose" on Liberty from die polishing. These were
struck by Frontier & Co. PCGS has graded 9 this high, with a single coin graded
higher. Another opportunity for the specialist.
Estimated Value $500-UP.
Lot 1845
1871. BG-1104, High R-5.
Octagonal Liberty Gold Dollar. PCGS graded MS-64. A gorgeous example
from Frontier & Co. that is boldly struck from an early die state, although the
reeding is difficult to see in the holder. One faint toning speck just below
the bust, and another between the last pair of stars should help to identify
this one. PCGS has graded 7 this high, with just 2 graded higher, making this
well up in the condition census for the variety.
Estimated Value
$1,000-1,500.
Purchased from Jay Roe privately in March 1989.
Lot 1846
1872. BG-722, R-4.
Washington Head. Octagonal Liberty Quarter Dollar. PCGS graded MS-65.
One of the most popular of all designs of California Fractional Gold, the
Washington obverse by Frontier & Bellemere was believed to have been struck
from the Peace Jubilee Exposition. Washington remained an enormously popular
figure in America then, as he remains today. Further, these coins boast
excellent contrast between the frosty devices and the mirror fields, making
them quite handsome to behold. The stars are sharply engraved in the die, and
well struck here, as are the balance of the devices. We note a trace of a die
crack through the tops of CAL. Sharply struck by the dies, and with hazy gold
toning on both sides. On the PCGS insert the coin is identified as a BG-818,
but it should be a BG-722.
Estimated Value $750-1,000.
Lot 1847
1872. BG-818, R-5.
Washington Head. Round Liberty Quarter Dollar. PCGS graded MS-65.
One of the most popular designs of the entire series, the Washington head
only occurs on a few die pairings by Frontier & Bellemere. On the round quarter
eagles, it was only used on BG-818. Frosty gold luster on the devices, the
fields are a bit reflective and toned with hazy gold accents. Breen speculates
that these were struck for the Peace Jubilee Exposition. As to the strike, it
is sharp on Washington, but there is some trivial weakness on the 4 of the
denomination. PCGS has graded just 14 this high, with 2 graded higher, making
this one of the around. An important opportunity for the specialist.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,500.
Purchased from Jay Roe in October
1990.
Lot 1848
1872. BG-818, R-5.
Washington Head. Round Liberty Quarter Dollar. PCGS graded MS-65.
This rare Washington obverse was engraved by Frontier & Bellemere, likely
for the Peace Jubilee Exposition. Few have been found in gem grades, but this
is one of them! This particular coin is well struck, with the five pointed
stars all full and complete including some that show recutting, and Washington
himself is well executed, save for his eye which is a series of lines, and his
ear is a lump. On the reverse, we note weakness at the centers, but all
lettering and devices are present. Excellent gold color and well preserved
throughout. PCGS has graded just 14 this high with 2 graded higher of this very
important and popular Washington issue.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,500.
Purchased from Jay Roe privately in October 1989.
Lot 1849
1872. BG-1208, High R-6.
Round Indian Gold Dollar. PCGS graded MS-63. One of the finest of
this very rare issue, of which perhaps 20 are known (PCGS reports a total 15
graded). The fields are prooflike, and the strike bold in every way. Although
research has yet to determine the maker of these, it may have been Herman J.
Brand. One aspect that is extremely important is that this is the only issue in
the series that declares itself a "token". Excellent gold color and abundant
frost on the devices. Problem free surfaces, with few signs of handling and no
problematic hairlines. PCGS has only graded 3 this high, with a single coin
graded higher as MS-64. Don't miss this one if you are a specialist. Color
photo.
Estimated Value $4,000-5,000.
From Bowers and Merena's Virgil
Brand sale, and Brand's inventory number 93,133, and from a later Bowers and
Merena sale, unknown date, lot 1820.