Feb 18-19, 2002, The Benson Collection Part 2, Sale 13
Lot 1881
1796. No stars on obverse,
Breen-1. PCGS graded AU-53. A lovely example from the famous Harry
Bass, Jr. Collection. The cameo obverse design was quickly abandoned as the
devices wore after just limited circulation, this caused by the open fields.
Once stars were added later in 1796, the central devices wore more slowly. On
this particular coin the curls on Liberty show some definition, and as nearly
always seen the E of LIBERTY is weak (as it was opposite the eagle's tail). On
the reverse there is an old scrape across the eagle's breast, and a few other
minor imperfections from circulation and handling. Perhaps 100 are known of the
original 963 struck, and this one is likely in the top half or even higher.
PCGS has graded 8 as such, with 44 as AU-55 and AU-58 combined, and only 3
graded as Mint State above.
An important type coin as these were only
struck in the early part of 1796, and they are the first quarter eagles issued
by the United States. Always in high demand by collectors. Color photo.
Estimated Value $40,000-50,000.
From Bowers & Merena's Harry Bass,
Jr., collection Sale, October 1999, lot 262; earlier from Glendening's sale of
October, 1970, lot 884.
Lot 1882
1806. 6 over 4, Breen-1.
NGC graded MS-63. Here is one finest graded of this date and
variety! NGC has only graded 2 this high, with none graded higher. Further,
PCGS has not graded any higher than MS-62, confirming that this is likely one
of the best to survive. The obverse has minor adjustment marks which are
present in Liberty's hair, and the reverse strike is somewhat weak at the
center (typical of the issue). Minor hairlines can be seen in the prooflike and
delicate fields. Sharp on the stars and other peripheral devices. We note a
minor planchet flake left of the O in OF and a tiny lint mark in the field just
in front of Liberty's uppermost curl above her forehead. This one is a fairly
early die state with a faint crack through the tops of LIBERTY and a hint of a
crack in the left obverse stars. A foremost rarity in this grade, and worthy of
the finest quarter eagle collection. Color photo.
Estimated Value
$60,000-80,000.
Lot 1883
1806. 6 over 5, Breen-2,
Rarity-5+. The Finest graded. NGC graded MS-63. Rich golden color
combines with the original mint luster to create a visually appealing example
of this extremely rare coin. PCGS has not graded any as high as MS-60 as of
yet, while NGC has graded 4 in grades below this one, but this is the sole
MS-63 graded, and of course, there are none graded higher. One must conclude
that this is the finest graded, and quite possibly the finest known of this
extremely rare date. It has long been reported that only 480 of these were
coined, and with a survival rate of less than 5 percent, perhaps 25 have
survived in all grades. Both NGC and PCGS have each graded 9 examples of this
rare coin, for a total of 18 between them, and given some likely duplication,
the actual number could be closer to 12 to 15.
This die pairing has a unique
feature, both dies were used to coin 1805 quarter eagles, then when the new
year rolled around, some attentive engraver took the obverse die off the shelf,
punched in a large 6 over the 5, and started coining more quarter eagles! The
dies are quickly identifiable by a long dentil just below the outer point of
the ninth star, a faint die crack or clash mark (clouds) at the top of the 806
in the date, and a die crack from the fifth star to the tops of LIB. These
cracks are also present on some 1805 examples, so it is indeed likely that the
1806 coins were struck after the 1805. In other instances the Mint coined post
dated coins. On the reverse, the eleventh star (middle star on the right, just
above the scroll) is boldly double punched, and the leaves touch the middle of
the C and right center post of the I of AMERICA. The strike is decent, but
shows minor weakness on Liberty's central hair, on the scroll and area
surrounding the eagle's neck. No doubt the dies were worn by the time this one
was coined, and striking quality varied from variety to variety on
these.
Identifiable by a tiny scratch between the twelfth and thirteenth
stars near the dentils. Currently in NGC holder #623014-001. An incredible
example of this very rare coin and worthy of a king's ransom, for once it is
sold, it may be off the market for many years to come. Color photo.
Estimated Value $110,000-130,000.
Lot 1884
1807. Breen 1-A,
Rarity-3+. NGC graded MS-62. Reflective fields and generally clean
surfaces for the grade. Rich golden color on both sides, we note some light
coppery toned areas on the upper devices, and these help offset the design
elements from the fields. This one has some softness in the strike, as always
seen on this date, but most elements are sharp, with just one star weak on the
reverse above the eagle. Rare in all grades, 6,812 were struck which actually
makes this the most "common" date Capped Bust quarter eagle, but when one
considers how few are known of any of these dates, all remain quite rare,
especially in mint state grades. This is an early die state with no trace of
the crack through the date or left hand stars. We note that the 1 is firmly
connected to Liberty's curl, while the 7 just touches both the bust, and the 0
next to it. The reverse die was used to coin some 1805 and 1806 7X6 stars
coins, with the same 11th star (middle star just above the scroll on the right
side as you face the eagle) broadly recut. Minor adjustment marks, some on the
eagle's breast, others on the rims on the left side. On the obverse, we note
that the one star point is broken at the end. Color photo.
Estimated Value
$20,000-25,000.