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

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Dollars

Flowing Hair Dollars


Lot 689      1795. 2 leaves beneath each wing. B-5, BB-27, R-1, URS-13. NGC graded AU-50. Deep steel gray in color with slightly lighter shades on the devices. Well preserved for the grade, with no marks or bumps worthy of note. On the reverse there are light adjustment marks on the upper left rim and a couple through the eagle's body. Dark streaks extend from rim to rim horizontally on the reverse as well. One for the type collector who needs the Flowing Hair type, and one of the most common bust dollar varieties of the entire series. Well struck throughout.
Estimated Value $7,000-8,000.
 


Lot 690      1795. 2 leaves beneath each wing, B-9, BB-13, R-4, URS-10. PCGS graded VF-20. Dark bluish gold in color with traces of luster in the protected areas. This is Bowers die state II, with the usual clash marks and die roughness in the fields on the obverse, while the reverse die shows no trace of clashing (that must have been one tough reverse die to remain undamaged after quite a pounding from the obverse die!) As always, the lettering is drawn towards the rim near the periphery. A nice coin overall for the grade.
Estimated Value $2,250-2,750.
 

Rare 1795 Flowing Hair Dollar in Mint State.


Lot 691      1795. 3 leaves beneath each wing, B-5. PCGS graded MS-61. Toned with a deep gunmetal blue color throughout, slightly lighter on Liberty herself as she gazes upwards and onwards. Good luster in the fields, as expected for the grade, and nice surfaces for a coin of this age and size. No significant bumps or nicks are found, and this is a great coin for the type or date specialist. Although a common variety, few were preserved in mint state grades. Fairly sharp in the strike, with just a touch of weakness on the eagle's breast. Color photo.
Estimated Value $30,000-UP.
 

Splendid 1795 Flowing Hair Dollar


Lot 692      1795. 3 leaves beneath each wing, B-5, BB-27, R-1, URS-13. NGC graded EF-40. Toned a medium golden gray color and sharply struck on the reverse, but the obverse shows the usual weak definition normally seen on this die pairing. Minor adjustment marks on the reverse rim.
Estimated Value $5,000-6,000.
 


Lot 693      1795. 3 leaves beneath each wing. B-5, BB-27, R-1, URS-13. PCGS graded VF-25. Medium gray with lighter golden gray over luster in the protected areas. One minor toning streak through Liberty's bust, and a faint line from the eleventh star to her chin. Nice eye appeal for the grade, and a coin that should satisfy most type collectors.
Estimated Value $2,250-2,750.
 


Lot 694      1795. 3 leaves beneath each wing. B-5, BB-27, R-1, URS-13. PCGS graded VF-25. Light gray in color and probably expertly cleaned in the past as the color is a bit washed out. A common variety but always in demand by type collectors.
Estimated Value $2,250-2,750.
 

Draped Bust Dollars

Outstanding 1796 Small Date, Large Letters Dollar


Lot 695      1796. Small date, large letters. PCGS graded AU-53. A very appealing example with the surfaces toned a violet gray with mottled bluish overtones. The strike is decent and free from serious marks worthy of mention. Perfect for the type collector, and the draped bust, small eagle variety is one of the more difficult coins to find in each of the silver denominations. Worth a strong bid from a collector who wants a quality example.
Estimated Value $11,000-13,000.
 


Lot 696      1796. Small date, large letters, B-4, BB-61, R-2, URS-12. PCGS graded EF-40. Natural steel gray in color with darker fields and lighter hues on the devices. Well struck by the dies. Typical handling marks expected for the grade and free of adjustment marks.
Estimated Value $3,500-4,500.
 

1797 Draped Bust Dollar. 9 stars left, 7 right, large letters


Lot 697      1797. 9 stars left, 7 right, large letters, B-1, BB-73, R-2, URS-12. NGC graded AU-50. Steel gray with golden luster on both sides. The obverse die shows several die cracks, and this is about as late a die state as usually found. Adjustment marks are noted on the obverse, mostly on the rim and a few more on Liberty's neck. Identifiable by a small planchet flaw between the 17 of date, which is also seen from the rim to the top of the A in STATES. Strong breast feathers on the reverse.
Estimated Value $6,000-7,000.
 


Lot 698      1797. 9 stars left, 7 right, large letters, B-1, BB-73, R-2, URS-12. ANACS graded EF-45. A curious coin as the upper obverse and lower reverse are weakly struck by the dies, enough so to have Liberty's upper hair definition weak and LIB barely visible. Bright and lustrous, there is a trace of toning on the rim. We note a minor edge flaw in the planchet above the T of LIBERTY and on the reverse as well. A coin to be inspected as it has decent surfaces and luster, but the strike leaves something to be desired.
Estimated Value $3,500-4,000.
 


Lot 699      1797. 9 stars left, 7 right, large letters. Double Struck. B-1, Rarity 3. Struck on a planchet that exhibits light striations in the fields and we note some faint scratches before the face and head of Liberty. The central areas of the coin are strong, weaknening to the borders as struck, all is lightly toned. Very rare as are all 1797 dollars as only 7776 coins were struck for the entire year, the smallest of any from 1795 to 1803.
Estimated Value $4,000-5,000.
 


Lot 700      1797. 10 stars left, 6 right, B-3, BB-71, R-2, URS-12. PCGS graded EF-40. Lustrous and light silver in color. Slight weakness at the centers, and we also note a minor edge flaw above the first T in STATES. Crossing adjustment marks are located at the central reverse. About average quality for the grade.
Estimated Value $3,000-4,000.
 


Lot 701      1798. Heraldic eagle reverse, 10 arrows, B-13, BB-108, R-3, URS-11. VF-20. This one has been cleaned with moderate cleaning lines noted on both sides, but is now toned a pleasant gray hue with darker highlights around the peripheral devices. A few other areas suggest more aggressive work (above star twelve) and elsewhere, but the rims and surfaces are pleasing to the unaided eye.
Estimated Value $1,100-1,300.
 

Beautiful 1798 Close Date 1798 Bust Dollar


Lot 702      1798. Heraldic eagle reverse, close date. PCGS graded AU-55. Pointed 9. A boldly struck specimen with full hair detail and the stars clearly defined. The frosty mint surfaces are light steel gray in color and this lovely example is free from noticable contact marks and other defects. Wrothy of a strong bid.
Estimated Value $5,000-6,000.
 

High Grade 1798 Close Date Draped Bust Dollar


Lot 703      1798. Heraldic eagle reverse, close date, B-14, BB-122, R-3, URS-10. PCGS graded AU-55. Luster in the fields and struck from worn and cracked dies as are most of this die pairing. Tawny brown and gold toning on both sides. Fairly well struck, but examination will note a number of small surface lines and marks. Identifiable by a long wavy streak from rim to rim through the 1 in the date to the T in LIBERTY. Probably in the top dozen for the variety.
Estimated Value $5,000-6,500.
Ex: Superior's Blevin's Sale, 6/88:3663 as EF-40.
 

Splendid 1799 Draped Bust Dollar


Lot 704      1799. PCGS graded AU-58. 13 Star Reverse. Well struck and ablaze with frosty mint luster. Most of the stars are so sharp and distinct that the center points are visible. Only the slightest evidence of friction appears on the highest points on Liberty's hair. This lustrous bust dollar is sure to attract considerable bidder attention.
Estimated Value $5,000-6,000.
 

Lustrous 1799 Draped Bust Dollar


Lot 705      1799. PCGS graded AU-58. Somewhat of a shallow strike in the centers, the stars below the clouds and on the forelocks of Liberty's hair, otherwise, the borders, stars (except star 1) and surrounding areas are quite bold and fully defined. The frosty mint luster is complete, virtually undisturbed and delicately toned. A wonderful high grade example of our last 18th century silver dollar.
Estimated Value $7,500-8,000.
 


Lot 706      1799. PCGS graded AU-55. 13 Star Reverse. A lovely well struck example with each device fully struck and the entire coin is a pleasing light steel gray in color. There is excellent luster in the fields on both sides as to be suggestive of an even higher grade. A perfect bust dollar for a high grade type set.
Estimated Value $4,000-5,000.
 


Lot 707      1799. B-14, BB-167, R-3, URS-10. PCGS graded VF-30. Natural steel gray in color with darker hues near the lettering and devices. Well struck and typical surfaces for the grade.
Estimated Value $1,250-1,500.
 


Lot 708      1799, B-10, BB-163, R-2. VF-20. Deep steel gray with the usual circulation hairlines and some minor rim ticks as well. A common variety. This one has a decent strike.
Estimated Value $1,200-1,400.
 


Lot 709      1799. Irregular date, 13 stars on reverse. AU-50. B-12a. With all the die breaks as described by Bolender. A truly beautiful well struck example on a lovely problem free planchet. The surfaces, particularly the obverse, still exhibit plenty of mint luster and there are no marks or defects worthy of mention. The coin is moderately toned with attractive pale violet and bluish hues on the obverse, grayish and lighter tones on the reverse.
Estimated Value $3,700-4,500.
 


Lot 710      1799, 9 over 8. 13 stars on reverse. PCGS graded AU-55. -2. A well struck example with nearly full hair detail and most of the stars showing full separation. The surfaces still retain plenty of mint luster and all is overlaid with original delicate steel gray toning. A truly splendid example that is sure to stir considerable bidder attention.
Estimated Value $4,500-5,000.
 

1800 Draped Bust Dollar


Lot 711      1800. PCGS graded AU-55. Loaded with mint luster, the strike is a bit soft in the centers giving the appearance of more friction than is actually present, while the boarders, stars and denticles are nice and bold. Lightly cleaned at one time, as there is some residual oxidation within the protected devices; now, a light steel-gray in color.
Estimated Value $6,000-7,000.
 


Lot 712      1800. PCGS graded AU-53. Wide Date. B-13. A very well struck example with luster still present in the protected areas about the devices. All is nicely toned with reddish hues about the stars and letters.
Estimated Value $4,000-4,500.
 

Impressive 1801 Draped Bust Dollar


Lot 713      1801. PCGS graded AU-50. A most pleasing high grade example, well struck with plenty of frosty mint luster throughout. Free from all marks worthy of note, just a few scattered faint hairlines which can only be seen under magnification with the aid of a 5 power glass; all is lightly toned.
Estimated Value $5,000-6,000.
 


Lot 714      1802, 2 over 1. Narrow date. PCGS graded AU-55. B-4. Gorgeous original toning on both sides featuring medium gray with ample golden hues near the devices. The strike is a decent one and there is plenty of mint luster still evident, particularly as the coin is turned towards a light source. This beautiful bust dollar is void of all serious nicks and scratches and as such, should stir considerable bidder interest.
Estimated Value $4,500-5,000.
 


Lot 715      1803. Small 3. PCGS graded EF-45. A most pleasing example with surfaces and rims which are remarkably free for the grade. Mint luster abounds in the protected areas on both sides and all is over laid with mottled light to medium gray color.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,000.