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

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Dimes

Draped Bust Dimes

Lot 319      1807, JR-1. PCGS graded MS-63. Satiny and untoned, with white luster and clean surfaces too. Struck from clashed dies, as are most of this date, but important as a type coin for the numismatist.
Estimated Value $5,500-6,500.
 

Capped Bust Dimes

Lot 320      1820. "STATESOFAMERICA". NGC graded MS-64 JR-1. The popular variety with the reverse legend appearing as one word. Well struck with some buckling of the dies noted on stars 1-3. The surfaces are brilliant and frosty throughout, completely void nicks or scratches. A very rare coin with NGC reporting but 9 graded as Mint State. The census reports 1 graded MS-64, 2 graded MS-65 and 2 graded as MS-66.
Estimated Value $3,700-4,200.
 
Lot 321      1820. "STATESOFAMERICA", JR-1, R-3. PCGS graded AU-55. Deep blue gray in color and a later die state with swelling along the first few obverse stars. We note some light scratches on the cheek of Liberty. Two important pedigrees on this one.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
From Bowers and Merena's Norweb collection sale, October, 1987, lot 414 and Bowers and Merena's Russell J. Logan Collection, November, 2002 with flips included.
 
Lot 322      1824. 4 over 2, JR-1. PCGS graded MS-64. A most difficult coin to locate in mint state grades, and this one is nearly a gem! The color ranges through deep gray tones with glowing sunset gold in the fields and plenty of luster too. The strike is notoriously weak on this date, with the curls on Liberty and the eagle's fine feathers always poorly defined, on this particular one the strike is about average for the date. One for the date specialist.
Estimated Value $4,000-4,750.
 
Lot 323      1828. Small date, JR-1, R-2. NGC graded MS-64. One of the finest graded by NGC of this date, and this one is toned with lovely deep blue and rose hues on both sides. NGC has graded 6 this high, with just 2 coins graded higher of the small date variety. We note the strike is full on all but the uppermost devices, and the reverse shows a minor clash mark from Liberty's head as always. The eagle's neck is slightly weak, but the claws are sharp throughout. An important and very rare coin in high grade. Color photo.
Estimated Value $2,500-UP.
 

The Eliasberg Proof 1830 Capped Bust Dime
Lot 324      1830. Small 10¢, JR-6, R-7 as a Proof. Proof 65 or better. Believed to be the Finest Known when sold in the Eliasberg sale in 1996, and we can see why. Antique russet, yellow and blue tones dazzle the eye, while the strike is sharp as a tack. Deeply mirrored fields provide a cameo backdrop for the devices, which seem to be mountainous in their proportions. An extraordinary opportunity for the specialist.
Estimated Value $22,500-UP.
From Bowers and Merena's Eliasberg Sale, May 1996, lot 1089.
 

Liberty Seated Dimes

Near Gem Proof 1837 Liberty Seated Dime
Lot 325      1837, No Stars on Obverse, Ahwash-1, Greer-102, Rarity-6 as a Proof. The Eliasberg Coin. PCGS graded Proof 64. A lovely coin that boasts antique gold and blue peripheral toning and very reflective fields. Complete mirroring and slightly frosted on the devices. Perhaps 30 or so were struck in proof to commemorate the initial release of the new Gobrecht design, and most of these were mishandled over the decades. PCGS has graded only 3 as PR-64, with 2 graded higher of this rare date in proof. Color photo.
Estimated Value $11,000-13,000.
Ex: Bowers and Merena's Eliasberg Sale, May 20-22, 1996, lot 1109.
 
Lot 326      1845. NGC graded MS-66. Medium blue at the rims and rose gold at the center, similar on the reverse but there is a dollup of mottled gold and iridescent toning on the lower rim and wreath around the bow. Sharply impressed and appealing surfaces expected for the grade.
Estimated Value $2,750-UP.
 
Lot 327      1853. Arrows. NGC graded MS-65. Soft white luster and sharp. Struck from clashed dies. Always in demand by type collectors, especially so in gem condition.
Estimated Value $1,800-2,000.
 
Lot 328      1859-O. NGC graded MS-64. A well struck specimen with full separation detail within the stars. The surfaces are frosty with some light clashing of dies noted on the reverse. The obverse is lightly toned in pale violet-gray with electric blue borders while the reverse totally white.
Estimated Value $800-900.
 
Lot 329      1861-S. MS-63. Totally white and fresh, with a nice strike on this scarce Civil War issue. Rare and seldom offered in any grade of Uncirculated, especially so to find a choice example as offered. Nice luster and plenty of eye appeal.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
 

Splendid Gem 1870-S Dime
Lot 330      1870-S. PCGS graded MS-66. Satiny luster and sharply struck. We do note a minor stain on the lower obverse. A rare date in mint state, and extremely so this nice. Further, this one is housed in an older green insert PCGS holder.
Estimated Value $8,000-UP.
 
Lot 331      1874. Arrows. PCGS graded Proof 64 Premium Quality. Deep blue in the fields and periphery of both sides, slightly lighter with deep reddish gold at the centers. A nice strike and a very scarce type coin as well, with the arrows at date. Problem free and nearly a gem.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
 
Lot 332      1874-S. Arrows. PCGS graded MS-65 Premium Quality. Dark gold and rose toning on both sides, and sharply struck. A very rare coin in this grade, PCGS has only graded 4 this high, with none graded higher, further, it is a rare with arrows type coin. This one is housed in an older green insert PCGS holder.
Estimated Value $5,500-6,500.
 
Lot 333      1875. PCGS graded Proof 64. Attractive light lilac darkens about the borders. Only 700 proofs struck for the year.
Estimated Value $400-450.
 
Lot 334      1876. NGC graded Proof 66. Dark steel gray in color with areas of lighter tones as well. Bold and well defined throughout. An important centennial year issue.
Estimated Value $1,300-1,450.
 
Lot 335      1885. PCGS graded MS-65 Premium Quality. Lovely bluish gold toning on the obverse, more brilliant with a touch of gold on the reverse.
Estimated Value $700-800.
 
Lot 336      1888. PCGS graded MS-66. Gorgeous blue green toning on both sides, rim to rim and all points between here! Actually, the rims show some reddish gold as well and the lustrous fields are undiminished by nicks or handling marks. Boldly struck too, even on the wreath! There is a small splash of intense rainbow hues on the M of DIME on the reverse, and these add even more to the ample appeal of this delightful specimen. PCGS has graded 17 this high, and importantly none higher of this lucky triple 8 dated specimen. A memorable example of this date and certain to command a worthy premium from knowledgeable collectors. Color photo.
Estimated Value $1,200-UP.
 

Barber Dimes

Lot 337      1892. PCGS graded Proof 65. A creamy white gem with excellent cameo contrast. In a green insert PCGS holder.
Estimated Value $900-1,000.
 
Lot 338      1892. NGC graded MS-67. Totally white and lustrous, and well struck too. One tiny nick on the cheek from perfection.
Estimated Value $1,700-2,000.
 
Lot 339      1892. PCGS graded MS-65 Premium Quality. Especially bright and lustrous for this first year of issue, with well frosted devices which are offset by dark gold and blue peripheral toning. One tiny speck on Liberty's cheek. Sharply struck, and both dies show clash marks.
Estimated Value $400-500.
 
Lot 340      1893. NGC graded Proof 68. An absolutely exquisite gem specimen with an obverse which boasts of violet and golden hues while the reverse is predominantly pale blue. Certainly among the finest as the grading service reports only 6 in this grade with one higher. Color photo.
Estimated Value $6,000-7,000.
 
Lot 341      1895. PCGS graded Proof 65 Cameo. Icy white frost on the devices which contrasts mightily against the mirror fields. Untoned and with no significant signs of handling, and nice enough to stay solidly in the gem category.
Estimated Value $900-1,000.
 
Lot 342      1897. PCGS graded Proof 67. Gorgeous and spectacular toning on both sides of this monster gem proof dime! Deep gold and green with iridescent hues from top to bottom and on both sides. If you love colorful proofs, then take a peek at this colorful gem. Near enough to perfect to satisfy even the most fastidious collector, and colorful enough to satisfy an artist.
Estimated Value $2,500-UP.
 
Lot 343      1901-O. NGC graded MS-66. Speckled gold and blue toning on the obverse over light gray color. Fully struck and a scarce date this nice, and somewhat of a sleeper date in higher grades. A jewel for the toned lover.
Estimated Value $2,250-2,750.
 
Lot 344      1902. Proof 60+. Recently dipped and still totally white in color. We note part of the date is doubled.
Estimated Value $180-210.
 
Lot 345      1906. PCGS graded Proof 66. Toned with medium and slightly mottled gold tones with hints of blue and green iridescence on the devices. Boldly struck and well preserved.
Estimated Value $1,100-1,200.
 
Lot 346      1906-D. NGC graded MS-65. Totally white in color and very lustrous. Scarce this nice, and very well preserved.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,150.
 
Lot 347      1906-O. NGC graded MS-66. Satiny luster with lavender toning on both sides at the edge, more golden at the center. Boldly struck and scarce this nice. NGC has graded 8 this high with only 6 coins graded higher of this date.
Estimated Value $1,450-1,650.
 
Lot 348      1909-O. PCGS graded MS-65. A satiny gem that boasts a lovely golden gray tone on both sides. Well struck for this date, and we note this one is housed in an older green insert PCGS holder. One of the finest graded, we note the PCGS Population Report shows 13 graded this high, with 7 higher of the date.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,200.
 
Lot 349      1912-S. MS-66. A well struck sparkling totally white gem specimen.
Estimated Value $700-800.