Feb 18-19, 2002, The Benson Collection Part 2, Sale 13
Lot 1997
1823. Miller-146, Breen
1-A, Rarity-4. PCGS graded MS-63. One of the few "obtainable" dates
in this series, despite the meager mintage of 14,485. Naturally, all but a few
were melted, and this is one that somehow escaped in choice condition. We note
the fields are slightly prooflike and reflective. Identifiable by a series of
tiny scratches near the rim and the second star, but no other marks warrant
attention. Great color and surfaces, and abundant luster too. Fully struck by
the dies, and we see no signs of weakness. These early half eagles are
generally well struck, and the Mint seemed to have gotten its stride by the
time these were made, after years of blunders and poorly struck coins from a
few decades earlier. PCGS has graded 6 this high, with just 3 graded higher,
all MS-64. A rarity in all grades, especially so this choice. Color photo.
Estimated Value $19,000-UP.
Lot 1998
1824. Miller-147, Breen
1-A, Rarity-6. PCGS graded MS-64. One of the rarities of the early
half eagle series, the date 1824 always comes to mind as one seldom seen, and
rarely offered. This particular one is bathed in lovely coppery gold tones,
with splendid luster and ample mint flash. PCGS has graded 8 this high, with a
single coin graded higher as MS-65, and a total of 21 coins graded in all of
this date, in grades ranging down below EF. A single pair of dies were used to
coin these. It is noteworthy that this reverse was used to coin half eagles
from 1821, 1822, 1823 and 1824. This particular coin is very sharply struck
with no signs of weakness anywhere to be found. It can likely be traced by a
tiny tick below Liberty's chin, and a toning spot below star six on the
obverse, and a similar toning spot between IT of UNITED on the reverse. A
foremost rarity in any grade. Half eagles have long been the great challenge
among United States coins for the number of extremely rare coins struck over
several decades and the regal appearance of high grade specimens. This
particular coin came from the Garrett collection, and prior to that was offered
in a George W. Cogan sale, 1882. Color photo.
Estimated Value
$55,000-65,000.
From Bowers & Ruddy's Garrett Collection Sale, November
1989, lot 466, prior to that from George W. Cogan, March 23, 1882.
Lot 1999
1827. Miller-152, Breen
1A, High Rarity-5, possibly Rarity-6. PCGS graded AU-58. A
staggering rarity in any grade and a date that is seldom offered. The
numismatists at Bowers and Merena in the Bass II sale noted that this is an
extremely difficult year to pedigree, and it may be years before anyone is able
to piece something together to see just how many are known of this date.
Perhaps 30 are known, more than Breen's estimate of 12-15, but no one has done
the work needed to tell for sure that we know of. We can state that 10 have
been auctioned in the past decade, including this coin which is making a rare
second appearance. The surfaces are toned with a rich coppery hue and there are
minimal circulation marks. We note one thin scratch from the field near the
neck, nearly touching the chin to the field before Liberty's eye. Identifiable
by a tiny nick in the cap above the B in LIBERTY. PCGS has graded 3 as such,
with 11 graded higher, and curiously none graded lower! All told, that makes 14
specimens (at most) seen by that service. A fantastic opportunity for the
specialist in the half eagle series to nail one of the great, underappreciated
rarities of the series. Color photo.
Estimated Value $18,000-20,000.
From Bowers and Merena's Sale of the Harry Bass, Jr., Collection,
October 1999, lot 818.
Lot 2000
1833. Small date,
Miller-167, Breen I-2, High Rarity-6. PCGS graded MS-65. Probably
the very finest known of the date 1833, this glorious half eagle boasts full
mint bloom and dazzling luster. The strike is sharp, and nearly all stars are
full at the centers save for the first and last. Light coppery toning is noted
near the periphery, otherwise this one is bright. PCGS has only graded one coin
this high of the date, this specimen, and one in the grade below, next is a
single example below those as MS-61. Forget the reported mintage on these,
virtually all were melted as the price of gold exceeded the face value and the
gold content was reduced in early 1834. As many of this early type were held in
the Mint's vaults in 1834, once the new law was pending, the inventory was
melted and recoined into the classic heads without motto starting in August of
1834 (the new coins looked sufficiently different that they could easily be
told apart). Naturally, the older, heavier and more valuable coins were
collected and melted in droves for years to come. Some entire mintages were
virtually wiped out, like the 1815, 1819, 1822 and 1829. Through American
numismatic history, these half eagles have been the pinnacle series of most
advanced numismatists. Many have tried and failed to locate even a handful of
examples after years of searching. Therefore, this offering of the finest
graded 1833 small date is of great significance, and an opportunity which may
not be repeated in a lifetime.
The small date 1833 is actually much rarer
than the large date variety. Further, there are two reverse dies used to coin
the small dates! Both are quite rare, of course. We checked around and were
unable to locate a previous appearance of this coin, but it may be the 1982
Boston ANA specimen (Steve Ivy Auctions) noted in Breen's Encyclopedia.
Eliasberg didn't have an example of the small date, and the Garrett coin was
not quite mint state. This one can be identified by a small low area on the rim
above the eighth star, a tiny nick on the truncation above and left of the 1 in
the date, and on the reverse by a small tick below and touching the right serif
of the first A in AMERICA. In PCGS holder #6568506. Color photo.
Estimated
Value $90,000-UP.