Feb 18-19, 2002, The Benson Collection Part 2, Sale 13
Lot 1956
1802. 2 over 1, Miller-54,
Breen 2-I, Rarity-4. NGC graded MS-64. Resplendent bright gold in
color and very well preserved. The dies struck this one hard, enough so to
bring up the stars, curls and feathers on both sides. Somehow this one was
saved in magnificent condition. Examination will note how fine the surfaces
remain, with few signs of handling or other grade detracting marks. NGC agrees,
and awarded this their finest grade of the year, although 9 specimens have been
graded this high, none have been graded higher. Although free of adjustment
marks, we note some planchet roughness on the lower part of the reverse, and
this is entirely mint caused, and scarcely noticeable. Through the same area,
at the eagle's claw holding the arrows, a few faint adjustment marks can be
detected. There are a number of early half eagles in this sale, both high grade
and low grade, so there is certainly something for everyone to choose from.
Such an opportunity is not likely to be repeated soon so bid accordingly. Color
photo.
Estimated Value $15,000-20,000.
Lot 1957
1802. 2 over 1. Miller-54,
Breen 2-I, Rarity-4. VF-25. This one was lightly cleaned some time
ago, but has recovered with some toning. The surfaces show average handling
marks for the grade, and this one will be quickly identifiable by a shallow
scratch on Liberty's chin. We also note clash marks from the horizontal shield
lines above Liberty's ear. The area of most interest is the reverse, for the
die has failed with a healthy rim cud over T of UNITED, extending above the
letters on either side. Of great interest to the specialist, and worth a strong
bid as such.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,300.
From the Robert W.
Miller, Sr., collection.
Lot 1958
1803. 3 over 2. Miller-55,
Breen 1-B, Rarity-5. Sharpness of EF-45 but lightly polished. The
surfaces have been cleaned with resulting hairlines and this one may have been
polished lightly in the distant past. Two obverse rim nicks have been filed
away, one below the 3, the other above BE of LIBERTY. On the reverse there are
some light scratches above the arrowheads in the field. All in all, the coin
retains decent eye appeal and is well struck. It is a late die state, with the
crack from the U of UNITED to the E of STATES. On the reverse rim there is some
evidence of light adjustment marks. One for the type collector.
Estimated
Value $1,000-1,300.
From the Robert W. Miller, Sr., collection.
Lot 1959
1803. 3 over 2, Miller-56,
Breen 1-C, Rarity-4. NGC graded MS-62. Glistening luster on both
sides and sharp on the obverse. The reverse is weak on the eagle's claw and
arrows, and it is likely that adjustment marks ran through that area. We note
the fields and upper devices show minor ticks from handling, expected on coin
that is nearly 200 years old, even if it is mint state. This one is a later die
state with cracks on the reverse as described in the Miller reference.
Estimated Value $6,000-7,000.
Lot 1960
1803. 3 over 2. Miller-56,
Breen 1-C, Rarity-4. Sharpness of Fine-12 but heavily repaired. This
one has been holed through the L of LIBERTY and the tail and was obviously worn
for years as jewelry, then repaired by an unskilled person at such matters. The
tail feathers have been reengraved, and the coin may have also been mounted at
the central reverse. A filler, which must be inspected by prospective buyers.
Estimated Value $500-750.
From the Robert W. Miller, Sr.,
collection.
Lot 1961
1803. 3 over 2, Miller-57,
Breen 1-D, Rarity-2. NGC graded MS-64. Here is another high grade
mint state half eagle. The surfaces show glorious luster in the fields, and the
devices retain their original mint frost. The luster and frost combine to make
this piece very appealing, and the surfaces retain their freshness as well, and
don't show the usual handling ticks so often seen. NGC has only graded 5 this
high, with a single coin graded higher, that at MS-66. No signs of adjustment
marks or similar problems, this one is very lovely. Minor hairlines and a
delight to behold. Color photo.
Estimated Value $15,000-20,000.
Lot 1962
1803. 3 over 2. Miller-57,
Breen 1-D, Rarity-2. Sharpness of AU-55 but burnished and lightly
repaired. The obverse has been burnished and repaired to remove a cigarette
from Liberty's mouth, and small scratches can still be seen in that area and
the entire coin is hairlined. A few copper spots are present, and this is the
usual die state with a few scattered die cracks on each side. One of the most
common of the early half eagles. A coin for the type collector who wants a lot
of detail and doesn't mind the problems mentioned. Decent rims and reeding, and
well struck.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
From the Robert W.
Miller, Sr., collection.
Lot 1963
1803. 3 over 2. Miller-58,
Breen 2-D, Rarity-4. Sharpness of VF-25 but a jewelry piece which was
mounted. This coin spent many years as jewelry and the devices show heavy
evidence of this type of wear, the reeding on the rims is mostly gone, and we
note traces of solder from the jewelry mount. Thought to have been rare but the
Bass sales seemed to sort this one out where the cataloguers discovered that
this obverse is frequently misattributed as the more common Breen 1 obverse.
This second obverse has a perfect T (with the right base serif complete, and
this is missing on the other variety) and is usually found with a die crack
through the base of the date, extending nearly to the stars on either side. A
coin to be inspected.
Estimated Value $500-750.
From the Robert W.
Miller, Sr., collection.
Lot 1964
"1803". A pair of Kettle
Tokens. One grades VF-30, the other F-12 but has scratches. These
tokens were struck by an English gaming company to serve as gambling tokens.
Most state "Kettle" right of the date, as seen on one of these, the other has
had this word removed, and was gold plated likely in hopes of passing it as a
half eagle. The gold plated one has several surface marks and scratches. Always
popular with collectors, these tokens are part of the rich panorama and history
of numismatics. Lot of 2 tokens.
Estimated Value $150-200.
From the
Robert W. Miller, Sr., collection.
Lot 1965
1804. Blundered date,
Miller-59, Breen 1-A, Rarity-4+. Sharpness of EF-40 but repaired around
the rims. The surfaces have been lightly burnished and areas appear to have
been repaired around the cap and the eagle's tail feathers as well as around
the rims. Still a well struck coin that retains most of the original detail.
Some light scratches are noted in the left obverse field. Inspection
recommended, as always, as any coin with problems should be evaluated before a
bid is placed.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,500.
From the Robert W.
Miller, Sr., collection.
Lot 1966
1804. Small 8 over large
8, Miller-59, Breen 1-A, Rarity-4+. PCGS graded MS-64. This is the
finest example graded by PCGS and it is alone in this grade category. Fabulous
mint bloom and copious luster in the fields. We note a hint of adjustment
marks, they are short and extend from Liberty's temple into her hair. Boldly
struck by the dies, with full and complete definition on all the devices. The
date is wildly recut, with the 8 almost comical as the large 8 obviously has a
small 8 residing on top of it. The 1 and 0 are also recut, but not as
dramatically. Both dies show clash marks, and the reverse has a slight crack
through the E of AMERICA. Rare and not fully appreciated by numismatists, these
early half eagles are available, and mercifully can be found in nice mint state
grades, as offered here, but they are somewhat expensive, as they always have
been. For well over a century, a collection of early half eagles has been one
of the most challenging and rewarding series to collect. Given that this coin
is the finest of this variety graded by PCGS, we expect a strong price, which
it richly deserves. Color photo.
Estimated Value $40,000-50,000.
Lot 1967
1804. Blundered date,
Miller-60, Breen 1-B, Rarity-4. Sharpness of VF-25 but polished and
repaired. This coin has been repaired and has the appearance of a jewelry
piece. The fields have been polished to reduce marks, some of which remain. A
later die state with two vertical cracks on the reverse, which shattered the
die into 3 pieces. Another coin to be inspected by bidders prior to the sale.
Estimated Value $800-1,000.
From the Robert W. Miller, Sr.,
collection.
Lot 1968
1804. Miller-63, Breen
2-C, Rarity-5. NGC graded EF-40. Yellow gold color with orange
highlights near the devices. Average handling marks, and there are light
adjustment marks on the reverse. This is a later die state, with a crack
through the 0 in the date, and a heavier crack over the T of UNITED to the rim.
Some luster in the fields. Generally problem free, and desirable as such.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
From the Robert W. Miller, Sr.,
collection.
Lot 1969
1804. Miller-63, Breen
2-C, Rarity-5. VF-25. This coin has a pleasing, natural appearance
with darker hues highlighting the lettering and devices. Moderate handling
marks as expected for the grade, but no real problems of any sort. Broken out
of a PCGS slab where it was graded VF-25. A moderate grade for the variety, and
this particular one is an early die state with the vertical crack through the 0
in the date just forming, and a light crack at the top of T of UNITED.
Estimated Value $1,100-1,400.
From the Robert W. Miller, Sr.,
collection.
Lot 1970
1804. Miller-66, Breen
3-E, Rarity-5. EF-40. This one has been lightly cleaned, and we note
some light surface scratches encircling the entire obverse around the rims
(through the stars, date etc.) Identifiable by the recut 4 in the date, and the
recut T of UNITED. The obverse die is cracked from the tenth star towards
Liberty's mouth, and through the 8 in the date, and the reverse is cracked
through the E of AMERICA to the second feather from the bottom on the right
wing of the eagle. A decent coin overall, but should still be inspected.
Estimated Value $1,250-1,750.
From the Robert W. Miller, Sr.,
collection.
Lot 1971
1805. Miller-68, Breen
1-A, Rarity-6. EF-45. This coin retains some of the original mint
luster, but it has numerous chatter marks from circulation on both sides. At
the time Robert Miller published his work on early half eagles, he did not have
a specimen to photograph. In his description of this variety, he notes that the
first star is unusually close to the curl, which it is, but it certainly
doesn't nearly touch the curl. Both the 1 and the 5 in the date touch Liberty.
Rim crumbling is seen past STATES on the reverse. Scarce, and seldom offered.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
From the Robert W. Miller, Sr.,
collection.
Lot 1972
1805 Miller-73. Breen 3-D,
Rarity-4. PCGS graded MS-64. A rare coin in this near gem grade, the
surfaces boast a rich orange gold color and the luster is full and complete.
Minor handling marks scattered on each side, none are worth much notice.
Sharply impressed by the dies, with fully rounded curls on Liberty, and bold
stars on the obverse and reverse. There are some minor adjustment marks on the
obverse, most of these reside near the date and lower drapery folds, but a few
are also seen down Liberty's hair and on the rim. A high end coin that boasts
excellent mint bloom and eye appeal. PCGS has graded 12 this high, with one
single coin graded a notch higher in gem. Certainly one of the finest to
survive, and worthy of a superb half eagle collection. Color photo.
Estimated Value $15,000-20,000.
Lot 1973
1805. Miller-73, not in
Breen, Rarity-4. Sharpness of EF-45 but lightly polished. The
obverse shows signs of an old polishing, with the fields still reflective and
hairlines reside there. Toned with yellow and copper gold shades on both sides
and quite lovely. Minor adjustment marks are present on the left side of the
reverse, mostly on the rim. We note doubling on the right wing and AM nearby,
and this may be in the die or simply a striking phenomenon. A scarce variety
and certain to attract attention.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
From
the collection of Robert W. Miller, Sr.
Lot 1974
1805. Miller-73, Not in
Breen, Rarity-4. Sharpness of VF-20 but mounted in a bezel. The
surfaces are heavily abraded after many years use as a jewelry coin, still
mounted in a bezel with an intact ring at the top.
Estimated Value
$600-700.
From the Robert W. Miller, Sr., collection.