Feb. 24-25, 2003, The Benson Collection Part 3, Sale 17

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Large Cents


Lot 63      1793. Chain reverse, "AMERICA" in legend. About Good-3. Allthough well worn with the date not present, the chain is nice and clear and the coin was struck from an unusually decent planchet. Some stray marks appear on both sides, none of which are too prominent. This coin will be purchased for its bold display of the chain and its lack of any serious problems of note. Always in demand as our first cent.
Estimated Value $1,100-1,200.
 

1793 Flowing Hair Cent. Wreath reverse, vine and bars edge


Lot 64      1793. Wreath reverse, vine and bars edge, S-6. PCGS graded AU-50. The surfaces are toned a dark olive color and we see minor roughness on both the obverse and reverse, typical of copper of the period. Examination will note a white residue in the lettering and devices, but this is not very detracting. Sharply struck by the dies, and a perfect type coin for the collector. Always in demand as the first year of issue.
Estimated Value $7,000-8,000.
 

1793 Liberty Cap Cent


Lot 65      1793. Liberty cap. Sheldon 13. PCGS graded EF-40. Unusually bold and struck on a problem-free planchet, free from the streaks, laminations and verdigris that plague so many of our early large cents. The surfaces exhibit a uniform, slightly glossy, dark reddish-brown color that is most pleasing. As stated in Breen's Encyclopedia, "The Liberty Caps are the most famous of the 1793 cents and possibly the most prized of all large cents." A numismatic prize, this example ranks among the finest we have handled.
Estimated Value $25,000-30,000.
 


Lot 66      1794. "Head of 1794". S-65, R-1. PCGS graded VF-20. Early die state of this common variety. Medium brown and trouble free surfaces.
Estimated Value $800-900.
 
Lot 67      1803, S-245, R-3. Fine-15. Medium to dark brown in color and struck from clashed dies, as are most of this variety. Two circulation marks are located on the central reverse. Glossy and otherwise nice for the grade.
Estimated Value $100-135.
 


Lot 68      1803. Small date, large fraction. S-260, R-1. PCGS graded AU-53. Quite clean and attractive. Opposite the neck is a tiny edge dent, below R in AMERICA is a tiny nick and between S and O is a trace of raised corrosion. Medium dark steel brown with traces of a light brown.
One for the collector who demands top quality and pleasing surfaces.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,200.
From our Benson I Sale, 2/16/01:362.
 


Lot 69      1808, S-278, R-3. PCGS graded AU-50. Struck from worn dies which were lapped prior to this coin being struck. Satiny brown in color, with a couple of minor darker areas on the reverse. Problem free, with minimal signs of contact. Identifiable by a thin line to the rim between the 80 of the date.
Estimated Value $1,600-1,800.
 

Choice Mint State 1809 Classic Head Cent


Lot 70      1809. S-280, R-2. PCGS graded MS-63 Brown. One of the finest graded of this date, the PCGS Population Report shows just 3 graded as MS-63, with a single coin above as MS-64 Brown. Further, there are no Red and Brown or Red coins graded of this date. Satiny brown luster and we note slightly mottled colors on the reverse. Excellent surfaces for the grade, with few signs of contact. Identifiable by a vertical planchet streak on Liberty's chest which continues down to the left side of the 1 in the date. For some reason the planchets used in 1809 were dark and porous as a rule, perhaps this occurred during the shipping from Boulton's London Mint or perhaps the planchets were improperly stored in Philadelphia awaiting coinage. In particular here, we note this is certainly one of the finer examples of this date to come down to us.
Estimated Value $8,000-9,000.
 


Lot 71      1817. 15 stars, N-16. NGC graded MS-62 Brown. Light brown and very nice color and surfaces.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
 


Lot 72      1817. 15 stars, N-16. MS-60 +. Brown. Medium to dark brown in color, which is quite even on both the obverse and reverse. Sharp on Liberty's curls, and most of the stars as well. Always popular for the 15 star obverse.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
 


Lot 73      1820. Large date. N-13. PCGS graded MS-66 Brown. One of the finest from the Randall Hoard, this one particularly well preserved. Hints of lighter colors near the protected areas, and light brown in color. Encircling die break on the obverse as usual. PCGS has graded 13 this high, plus 4 more as MS-66 Red and Brown, but none higher.
Estimated Value $1,300-1,600.
 
Lot 74      1822, counterstamped TC on the obverse, possibly for Tatham & Company of Ceylon. VG-8 but counterstamped TC on the obverse. Host coin grades VG, the counterstamp EF. The counterstamp is heavy and deep, bending the obverse into a dish shape slightly, and the central reverse is now weak as a result of continued circulation. No doubt rare and unusual, and the first we have seen. The surfaces are a medium brown in color and show a few marks, including a rim bruise between the sixth and seventh stars. A similar offering was noted in a Bank Leu Sale, October 1990, lot 1789 but the host coin was a Peruvian quarter peso with a similar TC counterstamp.
Estimated Value $150-UP.
Reportedly from a Noble Sale, 11/2001.
 


Lot 75      1823, 3 over 2, N-1. NGC graded AU-53 Brown. Medium to dark brown in color and well struck. Always hard to find in high grades.
Estimated Value $3,000-3,500.
 

Satiny Brown Uncirculated 1826 Cent


Lot 76      1826, 6 over 5, N-8. NGC graded MS-64 Brown. One minor speck on the neck, and some larger ones on the reverse. Satiny brown luster throughout and appealing. The overdate feature is clear at the top of the 6.
Estimated Value $4,000-4,750.
 


Lot 77      1848 Struck about 5 percent off center towards 11 o'clock. Good-5. The surfaces show smooth, even wear, and the off center portion is fairly obvious. On the reverse, we note some minor damage at the center where a small attempted puncture was made.
Estimated Value $200-300.
 


Lot 78      1850. NGC graded MS-66 Red & Brown. Splendid surfaces and exceptionally well preserved. Delicate bluish tones over the expected brick red luster. Rare this nice.
Estimated Value $1,400-1,500.
 


Lot 79      1851, N-10. NGC graded MS-67 Red & Brown. Great color and surfaces, with just a slight fading to the original red. Rare this nice! Color photo on plate 0.
Estimated Value $3,000-3,750.
 


Lot 80      1851. NGC graded MS-66 Brown. This one has traces of red on both sides near the devices, light brown otherwise and very satiny. Highly appealing for its color and undiminished surfaces.
Estimated Value $850-950.
 


Lot 81      1851, 1851 over 81. NGC graded MS-65 Brown. This is the later die state of the Newcomb-3 variety, after the erroneous date had been partially effaced. Satiny luster and a decent strike, and of course always in great demand for the blundered date.
Estimated Value $1,700-1,800.
 


Lot 82      1852. NGC graded MS-67 Brown. The surfaces are absolutely immaculate, free from spots and handling marks.This well struck, perfectly preserved specimen, is mahogany in color with traces of mint color about the devices, particularly so on the reverse. Well within in the Condition Census for the variety as well as being among the finest for the date. NGC reports but 5 in this grade with none higher.
Estimated Value $2,250-2,500.
 


Lot 83      1852, N-11. NGC graded MS-65 Red & Brown. A couple of neck nicks from a higher grade, and we note a minor streak through the first A of AMERICA. Nice mottled brown and red in color.
Estimated Value $600-650.
 


Lot 84      1852. NGC graded MS-65 Brown. N-3. A splendid gem example and loaded with luster that is evenly covered by natural dark olive brown with a hint of violet when turned towards a light source. A beauty!
Estimated Value $500-600.
 


Lot 85      1853, N-20. NGC graded MS-66 Red & Brown. Nice color and very clean surfaces expected for the grade. Most of the red has faded to light brown, but this one remains appealing. We note the base of the 53 shows recutting.
Estimated Value $1,400-1,600.
 


Lot 86      1853, N-26. NGC graded MS-65 Red & Brown. Nice color and surfaces, but we note traces of carbon on both sides. Nicely struck and well preserved otherwise.
Estimated Value $700-750.
 


Lot 87      1854. NGC graded MS-66 Brown N-12. Well struck with immaculate surfaces. Mellow reddish-brown in color with some lighter mint red around the devices. A carefully preserved gem example.
Estimated Value $900-1,000.
 


Lot 88      1855. Upright 55. NGC graded MS-65 Brown. N-7 Upright 5's. Well struck up except for a few of the stars. The lovely smooth surfaces are fully lustrous and the entire coin is an even reddish brown in color.
Estimated Value $500-600.
 


Lot 89      1855. Upright 55. NGC graded MS-65 Brown. Light brown in color and we note a trace of lighter red color near the devices and lettering. An appealing example of this date.
Estimated Value $400-450.
 
Lot 90      1855. Upright 55. PCGS graded MS-63 Brown. Light brown in color with traces of red. Well struck on Liberty, but most of the stars are flat.
Estimated Value $150-170.
 

1855 Coronet Head Cent. Slanting 55


Lot 91      1855. Slanting 55. Proof 64 Brown. Perfect medium brown color throughout. The strike is sharp as a tack, as expected on these early proofs.
Estimated Value $3,500-UP.