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

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Two Cent Pieces

Lot 200      1865. ANACS graded Proof 63 Red & Brown. Mostly red with a few darker hues starting to form, some along the rim.
Estimated Value $225-275.
 


Lot 201      1872. PCGS graded Proof 64 Red & Brown. Toned with pleasing reddish gold on both sides and the surfaces are very nice for the grade. Housed in an older green insert PCGS holder.
Estimated Value $550-650.
 

Silver Three Cent Pieces

Three Cent Pieces

Silver Three Cent Pieces


Lot 202      1851. PCGS graded MS-66. A magnificent specimen that boasts light sky blue and reddish gold toning on both sides. Struck from slightly cracked dies, but without the usual clash marks, and thus sharp throughout. Strong luster under the dusting of color, and a truly superb example for the collector.
Estimated Value $950-1,050.
 


Lot 203      1852. PCGS graded MS-64. Here is a superbly toned example of this date. The surfaces are aglow with iridescent hues of gold, green and red on both sides, likely from long storage in a Wayte Raymond holder. Further, the strike is decent too, and the dies show none of the usual clash marks that are so common to these tiny coins. A more appealing example would be difficult to imagine.
Estimated Value $400-UP.
 


Lot 204      1857. PCGS graded MS-63 Premium Quality. Light golden blue toning over luster and flashy. Struck from clashed dies.
Estimated Value $500-600.
 


Lot 205      1858. NGC graded Proof 66. Beautifully toned with reds, violet and blue near the periphery, and well preserved. The mirror fields are complete and undiminished by handling or spotting. A very rare date this nice. NGC in their Population Report notes 21 graded this high, with just 6 graded higher. Color photo.
Estimated Value $6,000-6,500.
 


Lot 206      1861. NGC graded MS-67. Well struck on lightly clased dies and bright and frosty throughout. A population figure of only 22 in this grade with 5 higher, the finest being an MS 68.
Estimated Value $2,200-2,600.
 


Lot 207      1862, 2 over 1. NGC graded MS-66. Well struck and frosty with a touch of light russet tone starting to form about the boarders. A gem example of the only over-date in the series.
Estimated Value $900-1,000.
 


Lot 208      1863. PCGS graded Proof 66 Premium Quality. One of the finest graded of this date, with a small mintage of 460 pieces, only a handful have been preserved well enough to earn a gem grade. In PR-66, PCGS notes just 8 this high, one of which is a Cameo, but none have been graded higher. Deeply toned with concentric rings of blue, gold and russet on both sides, and simply superb in appearance. In an old green insert PCGS holder.
Estimated Value $1,300-1,500.
 


Lot 209      1867. PCGS graded Proof 65. Deep blue and gold toning on both sides, and with the desirable watery mirror fields. Boldly impressed and a gem in every way. This one is housed in an older green insert PCGS holder.
Estimated Value $900-1,000.
 


Lot 210      1867. NGC graded Proof 65. A splendid little gem with midnight iridescent toning on both sides. Only 625 proofs made and only a handful exist like this.
Estimated Value $800-900.
 

Nickel Three Cent Pieces


Lot 211      1866 Three cent nickel error, stuck 10 percent off center towards 9 o'clock. AU-55. The surfaces are lustrous and display a slight nickel gray tone. Early errors such as this are very rare and are seldom offered except when a specialist's collection turns up. Expect some competition on this coin.
Estimated Value $250-UP.
 


Lot 212      1870. PCGS graded Proof 65. A totalling brilliant, spot-free example that easily qualifies as a gem.
Estimated Value $1,400-1,500.
 
Lot 213      1874. NGC graded Proof 65. A hint of gold toning on the obverse, but virtually white. The reverse has a few stray hairlines which must have kept this one from an even higher grade.
Estimated Value $550-600.
 
Lot 214      1875. PCGS graded MS-65. Just starting to tone with a light golden glow over luster. A well struck example of this date.
Estimated Value $500-550.
 


Lot 215      1877. PCGS graded Proof 65. A gem example of this key proof-only date. Quite attractive with a hint of delicate violet toning that graces the obverse surfaces. Only about 510 coins struck for the year.
Estimated Value $1,800-2,000.
 
Lot 216      1880. PCGS graded Proof 66. Mint fresh and sharp, with good contrast and excellent surfaces throughout.
Estimated Value $475-550.
 
Lot 217      1882. NGC graded Proof 65. A haze of light tone graces the surfaces on both sides. Free from fly-specks.
Estimated Value $350-400.
 


Lot 218      1883. NGC graded Proof 67. Blast white in color and without a trace of toning. Boldly struck and without a flaw.
Estimated Value $950-1,050.
 
Lot 219      1889. NGC graded Proof 65. Free from fly-specks with natural nickel color toning.
Estimated Value $300-330.