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

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Small Cents

Flying Eagle Cents

Rare Proof 1856 Flying Eagle Cent


Lot 96      1856. PCGS graded Proof 64. A well struck example of this rare issue. The diagnostic lump on the serif of the N in CENT is present, confirming the proof status. Toned a desirable mahogany brown color and well preserved. One trivial planchet flaw is noted on the rim above the A of STATES will serve to identify this coin. Always in strong demand for its tiny mintage and inclusion in all those date sets. Color photo.
Estimated Value $10,000-12,000.
 

Choice Proof 1856 Flying Eagle Cent


Lot 97      1856. Snow-9, stage D. PCGS graded Proof 63. Always in strong demand because of the very low mintage, and hard to find in choice grades as offered here. The planchet on this one shows minor imperfections visible with a strong glass. Identifiable by a faint die line from the rim through the U of UNITED to the eagle's beak, and a light die crack from the tip of the beak down to the rim below, the reverse die has high leaves and the centering dot below the serif of N in CENT. Traces of acetate on the reverse. Lovely light golden tan in color and boldly struck.
Estimated Value $7,500-8,500.
 


Lot 98      1857. NGC graded MS-65 Type 56 Eagle FS-001. Well struck and ablaze with frosty mint luster that resembles sandalwood in color. This little gem is sure to attract considerable bidder attention among small cent enthusiasts.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,000.
 


Lot 99      1857. PCGS graded MS-64. This one has a typical strike for the date, with slight weakness on the eagle's tailfeathers. The color is irregular, with grays at the center and a splash of brighter red above the date over the expected luster. In an older green insert PCGS holder.
Estimated Value $700-800.
 


Lot 100      1857, Snow 5 variety. MS-63. This variety shows hub doubling on the eagle's beak and on UNIT. Good luster and sharp, but we note a few scattered hairlines in the fields. The obverse die must have been lapped prior to this one being struck as the eagle's wingtip is broken off.
Estimated Value $500-600.
 


Lot 101      1858. Large letters. NGC graded MS-65. Irregular coppery gold toning on the obverse, with nice luster in the fields. A typical strike for the issue.
Estimated Value $2,200-2,500.
 


Lot 102      1858. Small letters. Proof 63. A very bold strike as expected for a proof, and with nice clean surfaces too. Always in demand in this upper grade as this type was so short lived.
Estimated Value $2,000-3,000.
 

Indian Head Cents


Lot 103      1859. NGC graded Proof 64. Lightly toned. Popular one-year type coin.
Estimated Value $1,600-1,800.
 


Lot 104      1864. Bronze, with "L". NGC graded MS-66 Brown. Gorgeous deep brown with hints of blue and a trace of light red in the protected areas of this gem. Abundant brown luster and boldly struck by the dies. Always in strong demand as few of the "L" coins were struck late in this year of many changes for the lowly cent. Color photo on plate 0.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,000.
 


Lot 105      1864. Bronze, with "L". NGC graded MS-65 Red. Well struck with a few minor fly-specks scattered about. Lovely original subdue mint red color. Rare key date that is always in demand. Population figure of only 13 in this grade with 3 higher, all by a point.
Estimated Value $4,000-5,000.
 
Lot 106      1865. MS-65 Red. Fresh and bright, with a touch of lavender on the reverse.
Estimated Value $300-350.
 


Lot 107      1869, 1869 over 9, FS-008.3. NGC graded MS-66 Red & Brown. Flashy and fully red in color, with glowing luster and problem free surfaces. Boldly struck as well and very pleasing.
Estimated Value $3,000-3,500.
 


Lot 108      1869, 1869 over 9. NGC graded MS-65 Red & Brown FS-008.3. A beautiful well struck example, fully lustrous and exhibiting enough fiery mint red luster as to be suggestive of the full mint red designation.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,000.
 


Lot 109      1872. PCGS graded MS-65 Red & Brown. Well struck with plenty of mint red color still intact. Rarely seen so choice. The PCGS condition census reports but one example is graded higher.
Estimated Value $5,000-6,000.
 


Lot 110      1875. NGC graded MS-65 Red & Brown. Brilliant reddish gold in color, with just a bit of fading on the reverse. Choice for the grade, and at the higher end of the grade category.
Estimated Value $800-900.
 


Lot 111      1876. NGC graded MS-66 Red & Brown. A lovely frosty mint specimen with natural redwood color.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
 

Majestic Gem Proof 1877 Indian Head Cent


Lot 112      1877. NGC graded Proof 66 Red & Brown. One of the finest graded by NGC of this key date. Deep golden red at the periphery, while the centers are a gorgeous purple blue tone. Superb surfaces throughout and we don't see the usual carbon flecks or similar signs of age that frequently mar these early Indian cents. NGC has graded 11 this high in RB, with none higher, and 3 others in the full PF-66 Red category and one more a point higher as red too. A stunning coin for the advanced date collector who demands a very high end piece.
Estimated Value $5,000-6,000.
 


Lot 113      1879. NGC graded Proof 66 Red & Brown. Bright and slightly mellowed by the sweep of time. One tiny carbon spot on the reverse wreath.
Estimated Value $700-900.
From the Genaitis collection.
 


Lot 114      1879. PCGS graded Proof 65 Red. A few tiny traces of carbon, but very nice color and surfaces. In an older green insert PCGS holder.
Estimated Value $800-850.
 


Lot 115      1879. PCGS graded Proof 65 Red. Slightly woodgrained in appearance, but without a speck or spot. A lovely gem example of this date.
Estimated Value $800-850.
 


Lot 116      1880. PCGS graded Proof 65 Red. Well frosted on Liberty, but we note a scattering of tiny carbon flecks mostly on the obverse. Sharp throughout, and with pleasing color as well.
Estimated Value $650-750.
 
Lot 117      1880. PCGS graded Proof 64 Red & Brown. Dusky red and brown on this specimen, but free of spots.
Estimated Value $200-225.
 


Lot 118      1881. PCGS graded Proof 65 Red. Bright red with magenta hues through the headdress on Liberty. One minor speck above OF and traces of a fingerprint on the reverse. Clean surfaces and generally pleasing.
Estimated Value $850-950.
 
Lot 119      1881. MS-65 Red. Bright and lustrous.
Estimated Value $400-450.
 
Lot 120      1882. MS-65 Red. Frosty and bright, with clean surfaces too.
Estimated Value $400-450.
 


Lot 121      1884. PCGS graded Proof 64 Red. Deep fiery red color with lighter yellow copper on Liberty and at the lower reverse as well. A few scattered specks perhaps limited the grade, as the surfaces are otherwise very nice. One for the color buff.
Estimated Value $400-450.
 


Lot 122      1885. NGC graded MS-65 Red. A blazing gem example with rich fiery mint red color. We note some scattered fly-specks strewn about visible only with the aid of magnification. The "pop" on this coin is 65 with but 1 higher (MS-66 Red).
Estimated Value $1,000-1,100.
 


Lot 123      1895. MS-65 Red. This one has intense red toning around the periphery of the obverse and reverse. Great eye appeal.
Estimated Value $125-150.
 
Lot 124      1899. Proof 65 Red & Brown. Lightly toned but we note some very pretty greenish iridescence on both sides of this particular example. One for the date collector.
Estimated Value $250-300.
 
Lot 125      1900. MS-65 Brown. This coin boasts really pretty toning, with hints of blue on the devices, especially on the reverse.
Estimated Value $50-UP.
 
Lot 126      1902. PCGS graded MS-65 Red. Great color and surfaces, although there are two minor flecks of carbon on the obverse and a trace of a fingerprint. In an older green insert holder.
Estimated Value $250-300.
 
Lot 127      1903. PCGS graded MS-65 Red. Frosty and red, with gem surfaces and no signs of carbon on either side.
Estimated Value $250-300.
 
Lot 128      The balance of a U.S. coin collection. This lot includes 233 Indian cents 1892 to 1907 grading AG to VG, broken 1954 & 1955 original Mint Sets and other United States coins. Inspection mandatory.
Estimated Value $100-UP.