Feb 18-19, 2002, The Benson Collection Part 2, Sale 13
Lot 1938
1795. Heraldic eagle
reverse. Miller-15, Breen 7-X, Rarity-5. NGC graded MS-61. A rare
and unusual coin that was likely struck in 1798! First of all, the field of
stars over the eagle on the reverse shows 16 stars, as we know, the
Philadelphia Mint kept adding stars to coins as states joined the union, hence
from 1794 through June 1, 1796 all silver and gold coins should show 15 stars
to represent the states of the union. On June 1, 1796, Tennessee joined, making
a total of 16 states, and hence 16 stars. Therefore, we know that this reverse
die was engraved sometime after June of 1796. In addition, the heraldic eagle
reverse design was finally adapted in 1796 at a time when the Mint had decided
to stop adding stars every time a new state joined the union, as they were
simply running out of room (also some of the Mint's employees seemed to have
trouble counting that high, as numerous oddities in the star count occur in
various denominations). Along with the 1798 small eagle reverse, this is one of
the most curious die combinations to come out of the Philadelphia Mint.
The
circumstances for this issue may never be known, but they are regarded as some
sort of emergency issue along with the 1798 small eagle reverse half eagle.
Apparently no current dies were available, and these older dies were still
serviceable, and hence, pressed in to service. It is now believed by experts in
the half eagle series that these were struck in 1798.
Always famous and in
high demand, the heraldic eagle reverse 1795 half eagle has long been a coveted
by numismatists. On this pair of dies, the obverse has a light crack down the
back third of her cap well into her curls, and the reverse die is a fairly late
die state, with a break connecting the tops of NITE and a complex break through
ICA to the eagle's tail and arrows. No doubt the die was soon retired as these
breaks progressed.
NGC has graded just 2 this high, with 11 graded higher
(best MS-63). Slightly prooflike in the protected areas, the obverse die was in
good shape when this one was coined. Fully struck on both sides, with no
adjustment marks. Identifiable by a short lint mark located in the field
extending from the lowest feather on the right wing near the shield, and a dark
spot on the right side of the first A of AMERICA. Color photo.
Estimated
Value $60,000-75,000.
Lot 1939
1798. 14 Star Reverse,
Miller-26, Breen 2-C, Rarity-6. Sharpness of VF-25 but with extensive
scratches. This coin has several scratches, including light ones on
Liberty's face and into the field, and the entire rim is damaged by deep
scratches through the dentils, and this continues on the reverse dentils. There
is a gouge from the U of UNITED to the ribbon above. Obviously, a rare coin
with some problems, so inspection is mandatory from bidders. Rare in all
grades, the reverse die shattered early and only a few dozen survive in various
grades.
Estimated Value $800-1,200.
From the Robert W. Miller, Sr.,
collection.
Lot 1940
1798. Miller-26, Breen
2-C, Rarity-6. Sharpness of VG-10 but worn as jewelry and repaired on
the edge. This coin was worn as jewelry and the edges have been smoothed,
wiping out the reeding on the edge in some areas. Always popular for the
fourteen star reverse, and this die shattered early, and several die cracks can
be seen through the shield, and these also weakened the area around AMERICA.
One for the budget minded collector who wants a rarity in a moderate grade.
Estimated Value $700-900.
From the Robert W. Miller, Sr. collection.
Lot 1941
1798. Miller-27, Breen
2-D, Rarity-3. VF-25. The reeding is weak near the date and some
repair work may have been done here, and we note a couple of minor scratches
above Liberty's cap. This is the familiar reverse with several lumps above
STATES OF. One for the type collector.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
From the Robert W. Miller, Sr. collection.
Lot 1942
1798. Miller-29, Breen
4-F, Rarity-4. Sharpness of EF-45 but repaired in the right obverse
field. The right obverse field has been repaired by buffing to remove marks
or initials and all the surfaces are hairlined and this coin has been
processed. Curiously, this coin was struck through several small bits of lint
or other obstruction as several indented marks can be seen on either side, one
on the back of the cap, another on the reverse at the left end of the ribbon
into the field. Close examination reveals that this is likely a flip over
double strike, as the O from OF can be seen over Liberty's cap, and the 8 of
the date is located on the N of UNITED. This evidence is faint, and a strong
glass is needed to see it, but it certainly is there. Multiple die cracks are
present, as usual for the variety. An interesting coin for the specialist, and
one that probably won't bring a huge premium.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
From the Robert W. Miller, Sr. collection.
Lot 1943
1798. Miller-30, Breen
5-G, Rarity-7. Sharpness of VF-30 but burnished. Just a handful are
known of this variety, and nearly all show rapidly progressing die breaks. This
one is fairly late, with a long arcing crack from the first star out the top of
Liberty's cap, another crack above from the third star to the cap, one through
RT of LIBERTY to the large forecurl on Liberty (Miller obverse die state 3).
The reverse with all the cracks noted in the Miller reference for Die State 4.
The A of STATES is obviously over something, almost certainly an E, which is
seen on other dies of the period. No duplicates offered in the massive Bass
sales, giving an indication of how rare this variety is. This is the Miller
plate coin, and he notes that just 6 are known of the die variety. Repaired at
the sixth star on the rim and the entire coin has been burnished lightly and
hairlined by past cleanings. A fascinating coin to study for the breaks are
strong and so few are known in any grade.
Estimated Value $1,500-UP.
From the Robert W. Miller, Sr., collection.
Lot 1944
1799. Miller-36, Breen
3-E, Rarity-4. Large 9, imperfect stars reverse. Sharpness of EF-40 but
burnished and repaired. The surfaces show several areas that have been
repaired, including around the tail of the eagle and along the rim above LIB as
well as around several obverse stars, and this coin could possibly have been
holed and repaired. In addition the coin was harshly cleaned so the surfaces
now are pebbly in appearance. A coin to be inspected by prospective bidders as
this is a filler.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,500.
From the Robert W.
Miller, Sr., collection.
Lot 1945
1800. Miller-41,
Breen-1-A, Rarity-7+. Double Struck. AU-50. This is a most unusual
coin. The reverse is entirely double struck, with a shift most noticeable on
the peripheral lettering. Also on the reverse we note a thin line through the
upper shield devices into the field just right of the upper right corner of the
shield, where another coin was struck over this one, this perhaps a host
brockage coin. On the obverse, the mystery continues where we note two points
of an incuse star which is located near the rim by star three, and this is
probably related to the thin line through the shield strike (the first off
center strike?). Somehow this coin was improperly ejected and partial designs
from other struck coins were struck into this coin on both sides. The coiner
noted the problem and restruck this one eliminating most of the error strike on
the obverse, but the reverse clearly shows doubling.
As a variety,
Miller-41 is extremely rare, only a few are known, and there were no duplicates
offered in the massive Bass sales by Bowers and Merena. Perhaps the dies were
damaged by the misstruck example here, and had to be replaced. We note faint
clash marks below Liberty from the clouds, and minor marks from circulation. As
expected the surfaces have been lightly cleaned. Rim crumbling is located above
star eleven and nearly to star twelve. On the reverse, it is quickly
identifiable by the last three stars which form a line, just above the ribbon
and right wing. One of the most important coins in the Miller collection, and a
rare early Mint error to boot! An opportunity not to be missed.
Estimated
Value $3,500-UP.
From the collection of Robert W. Miller, Sr.
Lot 1946
1800. Miller-42, Breen
1-B, Rarity-4. NGC graded AU-58. Basically, a problem-free specimen,
well struck with enough mint luster intact to justify the grade. An ideal
example for a type set.
Estimated Value $3,500-4,000.
Lot 1947
1800. Miller-42, Breen
1-B, Rarity-4. EF-40. Excellent surfaces for the grade with natural
gold color and problem free rims and fields. Faint adjustment marks on the U of
UNITED weaken that letter at the top. Broken out of a PCGS slab where it was
graded XF-40.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
From the Robert W.
Miller, Sr., collection.
Lot 1948
1800. Miller-43, Breen
1-C, Rarity-5. Sharpness of VF-20 but repaired. The rims of this one
have been filed and most of the reeding is weak or missing. One rim bump is
noted over the first T of STATES and there is an old gouge in the right obverse
field and a couple of small ones hidden in Liberty's hair. The surfaces are
uniformly marked, possibly from a brief time as jewelry, or just improper
cleaning. Inspection a must.
Estimated Value $900-1,100.
From the
Robert W. Miller, Sr., collection.
Lot 1949
1800. Miller-44, Breen
1-D, Rarity-3. NGC graded MS-64. While this is a somewhat common
variety, not many are around in high mint state grades, in fact, this is tied
for the finest graded with 9 others in the combined NGC and PCGS Population
Reports. Gorgeous coppery gold in color, with ample mint luster and frost to
dazzle the eye. Sharply impressed, and certainly a high end example of this
date, and apparently tied for the finest graded with a small group. What few
surface marks we could find, are widely scattered in the fields and are not
detracting. No signs of adjustment marks. Identifiable by a small spot on the
left side near the middle of the I in AMERICA. This is a later die state with
cracks through the I of UNITED, another through the R of AMERICA through the
lower shield to the arrows, and another from the arrows (possibly connected to
the I in UNITED crack, but very faint) and this crack wanders up through the
shield to the center of the eagle's breast. Color photo.
Estimated Value
$25,000-35,000.
Lot 1950
1800, Miller-44, Breen
1-D, R-3. NGC graded MS-63. Frosty devices are present on both
sides, and the fields are slightly reflective. Examination will find minor
hairlines and scattered ticks from handling, but the coin is still choice.
Fully struck on the stars and Liberty, as well as on the reverse, and no signs
of weakness are noted. This is a later die state with a minor crack from the
rim down through the R of AMERICA and another through IBER on the obverse.
Perfect for the type collector. Color photo.
Estimated Value
$11,000-13,000.
Lot 1951
1800. Miller-44, Breen
1-D, Rarity-3. Sharpness of EF-45 but slightly bent on the rim.
Lovely orange gold in color and well struck for this common variety. The
edge has been flattened at STAT and this gives a slight bend in that area. We
note a few faint adjustment marks on the lower left obverse edge some of which
may be related to the small bend on the reverse, and a rim tick over F of OF on
the reverse. Die state as usual, with cracks through the lower reverse. A
presentable coin for the variety.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,500.
From
the Robert W. Miller, Sr., collection.
Lot 1952
1800. Miller-44, Breen
1-D, Rarity-3. EF-45+. Here is an example that retains ample mint
luster in the fields and decent eye appeal. There are a few minor rim ticks
around the date, and the dentils are very weak in that area on both sides
(adjustment marks possibly). Well struck otherwise and a common die pairing.
Die cracks through the I of UNITED and R of AMERICA and another through the
lower part of the shield as usually seen on this die pairing. This is a nice
coin for the grade.
Estimated Value $2,250-2,750.
From the Robert W.
Miller, Sr., collection.
Lot 1953
1802, 2 over 1. Miller-47,
Breen 1-D, Rarity-3. Sharpness of VF-20 but used as a button, buffed and
polished. This one used to be a button, as there is damage at the central
reverse where the solder was removed, and the entire surfaces are pebbly, as
seen on jewelry pieces. The coin was then polished and buffed. Inspection a
must.
Estimated Value $500-750.
From the Robert W. Miller, Sr.,
collection.
Lot 1954
1802, 2 over 1. Miller-49,
Breen 1-A, Rarity-8. VF-20. One of just 2 known according to Robert
Miller, Sr., and this is the plate coin for the reverse photo in his reference
book on the series. The edge has a few minor ticks, the most obvious over the O
of OF on the reverse. Clean surfaces for the moderate grade, with scattered
handling marks on either side. Fascinating die state, the reverse is cracked
through the center of the first S of STATES down to the left corner of the
shield, another crack extends from the C of AMERICA up through the right corner
of the shield to the star above. Further, the reverse die is badly clashed,
with parts of the date visible and Liberty's bust present too at the top of the
reverse. Yellow gold in color with coppery hues near the devices. An important
rarity which is seldom offered, no duplicates in the Bass Sales, and only one
other example rumored to reside in a California collection, according to the
author. A rare opportunity for the specialist in the series.
Estimated
Value $1,250-UP.
From the Robert W. Miller, Sr., collection and the
reverse of this coin is plated in his book.
Lot 1955
1802, 2 over 1. Miller-52,
Breen 2-F, Rarity-5. Sharpness of AU-50 but harshly cleaned and
repaired. High overdate, imperfect T's on the reverse which are missing
their right lower serif. Examination will note swirl marks in the fields near
the obverse stars, and one must conclude that the surfaces have been lightly
smoothed. Further, the surfaces have been cleaned but the coin has started to
tone with a bit of coppery tones on Liberty's cap. This is a later die state
with the crack from the arrows to the left side of the shield at the top. Well
struck, but minor weakness can be seen at the rims. One to be inspected, as
always with early gold.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
From the
Robert W. Miller, Sr., collection.