Feb 18-19, 2002, The Benson Collection Part 2, Sale 13
Lot 3200
Barber Half Dollar, 1892.
Proof 64. Smoky gold and lilac toning on both the obverse and reverse. This is
the first year of issue.
Estimated Value $700-800.
Lot 3201
Barber Half Dollar, 1894. NGC
graded Proof 63. Lovely lilac and gray toning on both sides, and generally pleasing
for the grade.
Estimated Value $450-500.
Lot 3202
Barber Half Dollar, 1897-S.
NGC graded MS-65. A gem that boasts mint fresh luster and a good strike. As a
date, very few are found that approach gem grades, and the current NGC Population Report
notes only 5 graded this high, with 5 graded higher. Great surfaces throughout.
Estimated Value $5,500-6,000.
Lot 3203
Franklin Half Dollar, 1953-S (2
pieces). The first is PCGS graded MS-65, the next is NGC graded MS-64. Both
are nice for the grade, and show partial bell lines, but the all important lower ones are
flat, as virtually always seen. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value $50-70.
Lot 3204
Draped Bust Dollar, 1795. Off-center
bust, BB-51, URS-12, B-14, R-2. PCGS graded MS-63. Rarely encountered so fine,
this example will no doubt become the centerpiece of an advanced type or variety
collection. The coin is toned with golden shades on the obverse and even moreso on the
reverse. As to the strike, it is full, even on the uppermost feathers on the eagle's
proud breast. Examination will note adjustment marks on the obverse, and some of these
are well into Liberty's hair, stars and especially at the rims. An impressive grade for
the investor who is working on a registry set.
Estimated Value $65,000-85,000.
From Bowers and Merena's Four Landmark Sale, March 1989: 1943.
Lot 3205
Draped Bust Dollar, 1799. 9 over 8,
reverse with 13 stars, BB-142, URS-11, B-1, R-4. PCGS graded MS-62. One of the
finest of this scarce variety, PCGS has graded just 3 this high, with 2 graded higher
(one as MS-64, another as MS-65). We were unable to trace this coin to a prior sale given
the time allowed, but it is not the Carter, Chalkley, Aspen, Auction '84 or Wolfson
example. The coin boasts frosty mint luster and is mostly untoned on the obverse save for
a light haze, the reverse has some blue and gold toning around the periphery, but is
mostly bright white elsewhere. Sharply struck from a later die state, with many cracks
and lumps present on both sides. The dies show extensive wear and possible rust in the
fields and on the devices. An exceptional rarity in this grade, and worthy of the finest
collection.
Estimated Value $20,000-30,000.
Lot 3206
Draped Bust Dollar, 1799, BB-166,
URS-12, B-9, R-1. PCGS graded MS-63. This coin is from the famous Alfred
Ostheimer collection and before that was held in the Baldenhofer collection. Gorgeous
mint luster and fully struck by the dies. The fields and devices show very few signs of
handling, and this is a coin any true collector would be proud to own. On the reverse,
there are some central adjustment marks present in the star field above the eagle, his
body, down into the shield below. The obverse has some curious lines on Liberty, these
are die lines and not adjustment marks as noted in the 1975 Superior sale description. A
later die state, with the die crack up through the first 9, through Liberty into the
field and just touching her chin to the tenth star inner point. On the reverse, there are
cracks at the top of MERICA and the dies show light clashing. PCGS has graded only 6
coins of this date as such, with just 10 graded higher, giving the collector some idea of
how rare even this "common" date is in mint state grades. Identifiable by a tiny scratch
between the second and third stars on the obverse, another from the upper top back ribbon
up into the field below the seventh star, and another tiny scratch on the inside of the
tenth star inner two points down to the point of the eleventh star. A foremost
opportunity for the specialist to put away a particularly high grade and famous coin.
Estimated Value $25,000-35,000.
Ex: Baldenhofer collection to Alfred
Ostheimer, Edwards H. Metcalf, Superior Stamp & Coin August 1975 ANA sale, lot 930.
Lot 3207
Draped Bust Dollar, 1800, BB-186,
URS-9, B-4, R-4. PCGS graded AU-58. This is probably the finest known of this
scarce variety. It is an early die state with two very light cracks through the date as
normally seen. Lilac gray in color and exceptional quality even for this high grade.
Fully struck on all but the right wing of the eagle, which shows slight weakness, but
even so this is far better than usually encountered. Identifiable by a small toning spot
below the post of the L in LIBERTY, which is traceable to the Ebsen Sale and later to
Auction '88. The only comparable example is the later die state Bowers and Ruddy
McFarland Sale/Rarcoa Auction '86 coin, but it shows much more weakness on the eagle's
wing and on Liberty. Another notable coin was offered in Heritage's Dillard Sale, May
1990, lot 540 as AU-53, also an early die state.
Estimated Value $8,000-10,000.
Ex: Superior Galleries Buddy Ebsen Sale, May 1987, lot 1912 and later from Aker's
section of Auction '88, July 1988, lot 629.
Lot 3208
Draped Bust Dollar, 1800, BB-184,
URS-10, B-12, R-3. PCGS graded AU-58. Here is a famous coin, it is from the
Alfred Ostheimer collection and was purchased from the Baldenhofer collection before
that. Beautiful lilac and gray toning on both sides over abundant luster, and few signs
of handling. Well struck by the dies, with a hair of weakness at the centers, but
certainly better than most seen of this variety. The obverse die had clashed with the
reverse when this one was struck, with the wing tip visible at the first star, and all
letters of UNITED present in the stars on the left. Numerous die lumps can be seen on the
reverse, as struck. An important condition rarity for the specialist, and may well be
tied for the finest known, or certainly very close to it.
Estimated Value
$8,000-10,000.
Ex: Baldenhofer collection to Alfred Ostheimer to Edwards H.
Metcalf, Superior Stamp & Coin August 1975 ANA sale, lot 991.
Lot 3209
Liberty Seated Dollar, 1861.
PCGS graded MS-64. Slightly prooflike in the fields, and toned an even golden
gray color throughout. Examination will locate a few ticks hidden on Liberty, but this is
far and away nicer than usually encountered. PCGS agrees, and we note that only 15 have
been graded as MS-64, with 6 graded higher, all MS-65. Sharply struck on all devices,
especially on the stars. A premier coin for the date collector.
Estimated Value
$7,000-7,500.
Lot 3210
Morgan Dollar, 1878. 8 tail
feathers. NGC graded MS-65. Untoned and frosty, with generally nice surfaces.
A couple of ticks from a higher gem grade.
Estimated Value $800-900.
Lot 3211
Morgan Dollar, 1878-CC. PCGS
graded MS-66. A blazing white, no nonsense gem that has a sharp strike on the high
points and a clean cheek on Liberty. PCGS has graded 98 as such, with 9 more in Prooflike
grades, and importantly a scant 2 higher of this date! Don't miss out if you want a high
end gem.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,200.
Lot 3212
Morgan Dollar, A Carson City Morgan
Dollar collection. These range from the 1878-CC to the 1893-CC and grade from Fine
to Brilliant Uncirculated. The better dates grade as follows: 1879-CC Very Fine but
cleaned; the 1889-CC Very Fine but also cleaned; the 1890-CC is Extremely Fine but
cleaned; and the 1892-CC is About Uncirculated and Prooflike and the 1893-CC is Very Fine
to Extremely Fine, with the balance being mint state. We note there is an extra
1883-CC to show the reverse mintmark. Mounted in a custom Capital Plastics holder with
two large "C"s on a black background. Some of the coins have gold toning at the rims, and
this would make an excellent display for a collector. Lot of 14 coins.
Estimated
Value $1,500-2,000.
Lot 3213
Morgan Dollar, 1879-CC. Clear CC.
PCGS graded MS-64 Premium Quality. Ever popular with collectors, this scarce
date is hard to locate in near gem grades. Here is a particularly nice coin for the
grade, with lots of mint frost and well struck devices. No signs of toning, just a hint
of haze.
Estimated Value $4,000-5,000.
Lot 3214
Morgan Dollar, 1879-S. Second
reverse. PCGS graded MS-65. Flashy and bright with no signs of toning and
minimal handling marks to distract the eye. One of the scarcer combinations in the Morgan
dollar series.
Estimated Value $3,200-3,500.
Lot 3215
Morgan Dollar, 1884-S. PCGS
graded MS-61. An extremely rare date in mint state, even in this lower grade, as PCGS
has graded fewer than 200 in all mint state grades combined. This one has a touch of
lilac toning near the date and appears slightly prooflike. A coin for the specialist.
Estimated Value $3,500-4,000.
Lot 3216
Morgan Dollar, 1885-CC. PCGS
graded MS-66 Deep Mirror Prooflike. Exceptional quality for this date, PCGS has
graded 28 this high in DMPL, with just a single coin graded a notch higher. Excellent
contrast between the devices and fields, and with magnificent surfaces throughout.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,000.
Lot 3217
Morgan Dollar, 1889-O. PCGS
graded MS-65. A classic gem example of this date, one of only 67 graded as such by
PCGS, with a meager 5 graded higher. Untoned and frosty.
Estimated Value
$3,000-3,400.
Lot 3218
Morgan Dollar, 1892. PCGS
graded MS-65. This one has a particularly nice face on Liberty, with extremely clean
surfaces elsewhere too. A gorgeous gem white example.
Estimated Value $2,200-2,400.
Lot 3219
Morgan Dollar, 1892-CC. PCGS
graded MS-65. A gorgeous gem that has blazing luster and is ringed with gold toning
at the edge. Excellent surfaces, including Liberty's cheek, keep this one solidly in the
gem class. PCGS has graded 148 this high, with just 14 higher.
Estimated Value
$3,500-3,700.
Lot 3220
Morgan Dollar, 1892-S. PCGS
graded AU-58. One of the rarest dates in mint state, this one nudges that grade but
just misses. Mottled gray toning on both sides, and the fields appear to be prooflike.
Forget the reported mintage on this one, any in high grade are rare!
Estimated Value
$4,000-5,000.
Lot 3221
Morgan Dollar, 1893-CC. NGC
graded MS-63. Hazy gold toning on both sides, with a scattering of ticks on both
sides. Rare this nice, although overshadowed by the 1893-S rarity, the 1893-CC deserves
more recognition than it usually gets. Well struck and worth a decent bid.
Estimated
Value $2,400-2,600.
Lot 3222
Morgan Dollar, 1896-S. PCGS
graded MS-64. Seldom found this nice, PCGS has graded 222 this high, with a scant 36
higher. Delicate gold toning around the obverse periphery, and abundant white frost on
both sides. Slight weakness in the strike on the central devices, as nearly always seen.
Estimated Value $1,500-1,800.
Lot 3223
Morgan Dollar, 1897-O. PCGS
graded MS-63. Choice surfaces on this scarce date, with a decent strike for this
issue. Bright luster and without a hint of toning.
Estimated Value $2,500-2,700.
Lot 3224
Morgan Dollar, 1898-S. PCGS
graded MS-65. Another rare date in full gem grades, this one is totally white and
boasts a sharp strike, even on the breast.
Estimated Value $1,300-1,500.
Lot 3225
Morgan Dollar, 1899-S. PCGS
graded MS-65. Gleaming white luster and a decent strike. There are light mint-caused
roller lines on Liberty's face. Gem surfaces throughout.
Estimated Value $950-1,050.
Lot 3226
Morgan Dollar, 1901. NGC
graded MS-62. One of the most difficult dates to locate in mint state grades, this
one possesses abundant luster and decent surfaces for the grade.
Estimated Value
$2,200-2,400.
Lot 3227
Morgan Dollar, 1901-S. NGC
graded MS-65. A blazer that boasts strong luster and a touch of gold at the extreme
edge. Clean surfaces, which are seldom found on this date, keeping it solidly in the gem
class.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,200.
Lot 3228
Morgan Dollar, 1904-S. PCGS
graded MS-64. Frosty and white, with good luster and a typical strike for the issue,
with slight weakness on the breast feathers, but all are visible. Scarce this nice, and
seldom offered better.
Estimated Value $1,800-2,000.
Lot 3229
Peace Dollar, 1921. NGC
graded MS-65. A frosty gem that boasts strong central definition and problem free
surfaces.
Estimated Value $950-1,050.