Feb. 24-25, 2003, The Benson Collection Part 3, Sale 17
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Lot 540 1845-O. NGC graded MS-64. Bright golden tones over luster on both sides and boldly struck for this date. An impressive example and scarce this nice. Estimated Value $2,400-2,800. |
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Lot 541 1846-O. Medium date. NGC graded MS-61 Premium Quality. Eliasberg. A very choice coin for the grade, with antique silvery gray tones over luster on both sides. Fully struck by the dies, and the surfaces show only faint signs of contact. One tiny rim tick is noted above the E of UNITED. A great pedigree, and loads of eye appeal. Estimated Value $1,250-1,500. From Bowers and Merena's Eliasberg Sale, April 1997 and so noted on the NGC insert. |
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Lot 542 1852. NGC graded MS-63 Premium Quality. Totally appealing with excellent luster and a touch of gold and blue toning around the rims. The surfaces are quite clean and show only the faintest signs of handling. Further, the strike is sharp too, even on Liberty's curls and on the eagle's feathers. Most of the original mintage was melted as the silver value in this coin exceeded the face value, and many were not released. Of the coins that were released, many were melted down for the nominal profit. During 1853 the bureaucrats adjusted the silver weight slightly which brought the melt value below the face value, and silver coins began circulating again. A true collectors coin. Estimated Value $1,500-1,800. |
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Lot 543 1853. Arrows and Rays. NGC graded MS-64. Satiny silver gray in color over luster, and well struck throughout. An important type coin with the arrows at the date and the rays surrounding the eagle on the reverse. A nice coin for the grade. Estimated Value $4,000-4,500. |
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Lot 545 1853-O. Arrows and Rays. NGC graded AU-55. Lightly toned with shades of violet and gold. Estimated Value $850-950. |
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Lot 546 1854. Arrows. NGC graded MS-64. A splendid example with excellent eye appeal. The frosty undisturbed surfaces are over laid with attractive rainbow toning evenly distributed on both sides. Estimated Value $1,900-2,200. |
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Lot 547 1854-O. Arrows. NGC graded MS-65. A lovely gem example of this popular with arrows type coin. The surfaces are toned with mottled gray gold, while the edges are alive with deep blue on the obverse, similar on the reverse but there is additional rich golden red there as well. Sharply struck and well preserved throughout. Identifiable by a tiny nick between the last two stars on the obverse, and a faint nick on Liberty's right leg, just above her knee. Estimated Value $5,000-5,500. |
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Lot 549 1856-O. NGC graded MS-66. Strong luster and gorgeous blue peripheral toning on this high end gem. The strike is sharp too, with all but a couple of stars bold on the upper obverse, and the reverse is sharp too save for the left claw on the eagle. One minor die crack through the first star towards Liberty's hand. NGC has graded only 2 this high, and PCGS just 1 as MS-66, and neither service has graded any higher. Certainly one of the very finest known of the date. Color photo on plate 0. Estimated Value $7,500-8,000. |
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Lot 550 1858. PCGS graded Proof 64. Toned with a lovely dark blue at the periphery, fading to lavender in the fields, and fiery gold on the central devices for the obverse, the reverse more of a rich golden color from rim to rim. A rare coin in this grade, and especially so with such appealing toning. PCGS has graded 15 this high with just 3 a grade higher, and one more at the top as PR-67. Estimated Value $3,300-3,600. |
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Lot 551 1858. NGC graded MS-65. Color and eye appeal to die for! Superb deep blue at the rims, fading to sunset gold at the centers, perfectly matched on both sides, and totally alive. Truly "wonder colors" on this one, not to mention a gem grade as well. One for the toned coin lover or dealer who has customers for such toned beauties. Color photo on plate 0. Estimated Value $3,500-UP. |
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Lot 552 1858. PCGS graded MS-64. Choice and colorful toning on both sides of light blue at the date and tawny gold and gray over luster elsewhere. A few scattered hairlines and minor ticks, but not enough to significantly limit the grade, and this one remains close to the gem class. Struck from a clashed obverse die. Estimated Value $1,400-1,600. |
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Lot 553 1858. PCGS graded EF-40. Light steel gray with traces of luster. Not all that sharply struck. Estimated Value $70-80. |
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Lot 554 1859. NGC graded MS-66. A crisp, boldly struck specimen with frosty mint surfaces which are overlaid with mottled light to medium sunset toning. An outstanding specimen worthy of the finest collection. NGC has reported but 2 in this grade with 1 higher by a point. Estimated Value $7,500-8,000. |
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Lot 555 1861. PCGS graded MS-65. Highly appealing with delicate light sea green and gold iridescent toning around the rims with satiny gray luster elsewhere. A few scattered ticks, but they are not too distracting on this very lovely coin. Mounted in an old green insert PCGS holder. We note in the PCGS Population Report that they have graded 12 this high with only 9 higher, all as MS-66 above. Worth a premium for the delightful toning. Estimated Value $3,000-3,500. |
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Lot 556 1863-S. NGC graded MS-65. Here is the pinnacle grade for this date! NGC has graded just 4 this high, with none higher, and PCGS has only graded a single coin as high as MS-65, again with none higher. Apparently tied with four others as the finest to survive of this important Civil War date. Both the obverse and reverse are bathed in luster, and the peripheries are toned with medium to dark gold hues. Fully struck throughout, with no signs of weakness on the stars, Liberty or the eagle. We note the S mintmark is broken at the top, and both the dies show clash marks in the fields. Color photo. Estimated Value $6,000-6,500. |
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Lot 557 1864. PCGS graded Proof 65. A simply gorgeous coin that boasts exceptional toning on both sides. On the obverse we note that deep gray predominates, with areas of russet and deep gold as well while the periphery is bathed in a royal array of blue. Flipping to the reverse, we are greeted with the same vibrant blue at the periphery, and a natural golden gray to the centers, with each device and letter highlighted by beautiful tones. Needless to say, this is certainly one of the prettiest Seated half dollars we've seen. Further, it is a rare date in all grades, with a mintage of only 470 pieces, and of those PCGS has graded just 11 this high, with 4 in higher grades (best PR-67). As expected, the strike is full and sharp, and the coin has only traces of handling keeping it solidly in the gem class. Color photo. Estimated Value $4,000-4,500. |
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Lot 558 1864. ANACS graded Proof 64 Cameo. Great cameo contrast on the devices and deep gray in the fields. Well preserved and scarce this nice. Estimated Value $1,000-1,250. |
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Lot 559 1865-S. MS-64 or better. Mostly white save for a lovely golden-gray hue starting to form with rose gold highlights near the devices. Fairly well struck, although both dies show minor cracks at the periphery. A scarce date in high grade, and this one will no doubt find it's way to the grading services soon for their opinion. Estimated Value $3,500-UP. |
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Lot 560 1867. PCGS graded MS-65. Gorgeous rich blue and gold toning on both sides over gem surfaces. Luster dances beneath, and the strike is full. A true gem that will please most collectors who love toned coins. A rare date as well, especially so this nice. In an older green insert PCGS holder. Estimated Value $3,500-4,000. |
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Lot 561 1868. NGC graded Proof 65. Boldly struck with excellent cameo contract. Some scattered light hairlines appear about the fields, noticeable only with the aid of magnification. A touch of light golden toning about the borders adds to this coins appeal. Only 600 proofs struck. Estimated Value $2,500-3,000. |
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Lot 562 1868. PCGS graded Proof 64 Cameo Premium Quality. Here is an example that has splendid deep blue and gold toning on both sides, while the centers remain frosty and white. Further, the coin has a very sharp strike, as expected for a proof. Of course, the cameo designation implies an early strike from the dies, as the cameo frost soon wears away after a few coins were struck. PCGS in their Population Report note only 2 cameo proofs graded of this date both as PR-64, and no deep cameos graded for this date. If you demand a very colorful, frosty toned proof, then this coin should suit you just fine. Color photo. Estimated Value $1,000-UP. |
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Lot 563 1871. PCGS graded MS-64. Hazy golden gray on both sides and fairly well struck from worn and rusted dies. In an older green insert PCGS holder. Estimated Value $1,400-1,700. |
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Lot 564 1872. PCGS graded Proof 64. Dark smoky gray toning on the obverse with lighter gold and blue toning on the reverse. Bold and beautiful, with trouble free surfaces and plenty of eye appeal. Estimated Value $800-900. |
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Lot 565 1873. Arrows. ICG graded MS-64. We note some light friction on the highest points but this well concealed by the mottled violet and dark gray toning. Estimated Value $1,500-1,700. |
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Lot 566 1874. Arrows. PCGS graded Proof 64 Deep Cameo Premium Quality. A stunning proof that is totally white for about 80 percent of the obverse, with the balance toned a deep reddish blue all around the rim save for a small area between the date and the third star, which is only lightly toned. The reverse has deep blue at the rim only, then gold, and is also mostly white. Stunning contrast, and as fine a proof as PCGS has graded with the Deep Cameo designation. In fact, in the Population Report we note 4 graded as PR-64 DCAM, with none higher, and only a single coin lower as PR-61 DCAM. This is also a short lived two-year type coin with the arrows at date, enhancing the rarity and importance even more. A grand opportunity for a truly beautiful deep cameo proof. Estimated Value $2,500-3,000. |
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Lot 567 1875. PCGS graded MS-65. Satiny and bright, with only a hint of gold starting to form near the devices. A sharply struck gem that should please most collectors. Estimated Value $2,000-2,200. |
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Lot 568 1877-S. MS-65. A lovely old time gem from a collection, this one boasts glowing deep blue and rose gold toning over antique gray tones on both sides. The surfaces show very few signs of contact, and this piece just "right" in color and surface quality. Estimated Value $2,750-UP. |
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Lot 569 1878. PCGS graded MS-63 Premium Quality. Satiny and white with a delicate gold tone starting to form. This one is in an older green insert holder and the surfaces are certainly high end for the grade. One tiny line down the shield on the reverse, and a small nick is noted under the E of UNITED. Estimated Value $450-500. |
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Lot 570 1880. NGC graded Proof 65. Deep gray and blue, especially on Liberty and on the reverse similar with deep reddish gold and gray tones. Sharp as a tack, and quite beautiful as well. Estimated Value $1,600-1,700. |
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Lot 571 1881. NGC graded Proof 66. A well struck proof specimen with a fully defined head on Liberty. The surfaces are overlaid with a gorgeous blending of violet and electric blue. Worthy of a premium bid for the attractive toning. A total of 975 proofs were made. Estimated Value $2,500-2,800. |
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Lot 572 1884. PCGS graded MS-66 Premium Quality. Here is a stunning mint state gem for the advanced collector. The Philadelphia Mint struck a mere 4,400 for circulation for the entire year, as virtually all silver was churned out at Morgan silver dollars during this period of time. In particular we note lovely deep reddish gold toning at the periphery of this coin, with the centers blazing white with luster and are untoned. Well matched and similar on the reverse. Satiny fields and devices which are virtually perfect, and show none of the usual distracting marks and ticks. PCGS agrees, and we note only 10 have been graded this high of the date, with just 2 graded higher, both MS-67 above. Throw away the past records on this date, as we anticipate this one will bring a price commensurate with its outstanding quality. Color photo. Estimated Value $3,500-UP. |