Feb 18-19, 2002, The Benson Collection Part 2, Sale 13
Lot 1992
1808. 8 over 7.
Miller-104, Breen 2-A, Rarity-4. PCGS graded MS-61. Bright and
frosty on the obverse, with just a hint of coppery toning in the stars, the
reverse is rich with loads of copper toning and eye appeal. Minor adjustment
marks through the lower obverse on Liberty's bust to the rim. Typical handling
marks on the surfaces, but more eye appeal than one would expect for the
moderate grade. PCGS has graded just 3 this high, with 4 graded higher of the
overdate variety. These overdates are much rarer than the regular issue 1808
half eagles.
Estimated Value $7,500-8,500.
Lot 1993
1810. Large date, tall 5,
Miller-109, Breen 1-A. Rarity-2. PCGS graded MS-62. Rich golden hues
on both sides over lustrous fields. Starting to tone around the edges with some
splashes of copper. Well struck for the date, with full curls on Liberty. One
of the most common half eagle varieties, but always in demand by type
collectors and other specialists.
Estimated Value $5,500-6,500.
Lot 1994
1810. Large date, tall 5,
Miller-109, Breen 1-A. Rarity-2. NGC graded MS-62. This one has a
few faint hairlines from handling over the many decades, but the luster is
still bright and the strike is typically firm. Clean surfaces for the grade,
and quite lovely as the reverse periphery shows copper tones starting to form.
Estimated Value $5,500-6,000.
Lot 1995
1810. Small date, tall 5,
Miller-113, Breen 2-D, Rarity-5+. PCGS graded MS-64. One of the
finest graded of this popular date, this one has glorious copper hues over mint
bloom. A few faint adjustment marks can be seen under and into the left wing on
the eagle and along the rim above. Rarely are the early half eagles found in
such a lovely state of preservation, as most circulated. To locate a near gem
is quite unusual, and this is borne out by the PCGS Population Report, which
notes 7 graded this high and just a single coin graded higher as MS-65. It is
fun to note that the 5 in the denomination is quite large, and the dentils had
to be engraved very low in order to not touch the long loop of this digit. An
enticing specimen for the specialist. Color photo.
Estimated Value
$30,000-40,000.
Lot 1996
1811. Tall 5, Miller-115,
Breen-1A. Rarity-4. PCGS graded MS-63. A lovely example of this date
that boasts a rich golden hue and abundant luster in the fields. Fully struck,
but the reverse die was lapped making the scroll and parts of the wing shallow
and without the usual depth seen on dies that have not been lapped. This
process was used to reduce cracks and clash marks, and essentially the die
field was filed down a bit to remove the clash marks or crack, then more coins
were struck. Lapping simply reduces the depth of the design elements in the
dies, and hence, on the coins.
PCGS has graded just 12 as such, with only 8
graded higher of this variety. Perfect for the type or date collector who wants
a lot of eye appeal without breaking the bank. We note some very faint
adjustment marks on the obverse rim near the bust and above LIBERTY, but they
are microscopic and not at all distracting.
Estimated Value $8,000-10,000.