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

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Morgan Dollars

One of the Finest 1878 8 tail feathers Morgan Dollar


Lot 731      1878. 8 tail feathers. PCGS graded MS-66 Premium Quality. One of the very finest graded of this important variety, with just 21 that have earned this top end grade from PCGS, and importantly only 2 have been graded higher. Totally white and lustrous, with an excellent strike as well. No signs of toning and a very high end gem example for the specialist.
Estimated Value $7,000-9,000.
 
Lot 732      1878. 8 tail feathers (4 pieces), grades from XF to AU. Lot of 4 coins. Lot of 4 coins.
Estimated Value $70-90.
 


Lot 733      1878. 7 tail feathers, reverse of 1878. PCGS graded MS-65. Blazing white luster and well struck. This is a scarce issue which is tough to find in full gem grades.
Estimated Value $750-800.
 


Lot 734      1878. 7 tail feathers, reverse of 1878. ICG graded MS-65. Iridescent and intensely toned on the obverse, with deeper gold predominating and areas of green and rose as well. Stark white on the reverse. The 7 tail feather reverse is tough to find in gem with straight arrow feathers, especially with such a dazzling array of colors! An opportunity for the astute color collector.
Estimated Value $1,750-2,250.
 


Lot 735      1878. 7 tail feathers, reverse of 1879. NGC graded MS-65. Totally white and lustrous, and rare in this state of preservation. A well struck example of this scarce major die variety.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,100.
 
Lot 736      1878. 7 tail feathers, reverse of 1879. NGC graded MS-61. A touch of gold at the rims, and nice for the moderate grade.
Estimated Value $70-90.
 
Lot 737      1878. Strongly and weakly doubled tail feathers (3 pieces). Lot of 3 coins. Each has some toning. Lot of 3 coins.
Estimated Value $100-115.
 
Lot 738      1878. Weakly doubled tail feathers, VAM-33, 7/4 TF on the NGC insert. NGC graded MS-64. This one is bright white, with 4 extra feathers showing up in the tail. As nice as this variety is found, as only 11 have been graded this high with a single coin graded higher as MS-65 by NGC.
Estimated Value $500-650.
 
Lot 739      1878. Weakly doubled tail feathers, VAM-34, 7/4 TF on the NGC insert. NGC graded MS-64. This one is bright white, with 4 extra feathers showing up in the tail. As nice as this variety is found, as only 9 have been graded this high with a single coin graded higher as MS-65 by NGC.
Estimated Value $500-650.
 
Lot 740      1878-CC. NGC graded MS-64. Rich sunset gold toning on the obverse which is further enhanced by deep blue at the rim, while the reverse has light gold. A scarce date which is seldom found with such appealing toning.
Estimated Value $250-300.
 
Lot 741      1878-CC. PCGS graded MS-63. Lustrous fields with a splash of gold mostly at the periphery.
Estimated Value $150-170.
 
Lot 742      1878-CC. MS-63. Toned with deep gold and blue on the lower third of the obverse, otherwise light gold over luster and flashy.
Estimated Value $140-160.
 
Lot 743      1878-S. PCGS graded MS-66. A blazing white gem with excellent surfaces throughout. First year of issue, and always in demand this nice.
Estimated Value $450-500.
 
Lot 744      1878-S. PCGS graded MS-65. Totally white in color and appealing. Excellent luster and gem surfaces throughout. In an older green insert PCGS holder.
Estimated Value $140-160.
 


Lot 745      1878-S. NGC graded MS-64. Deep sea green and blue on the obverse, with a deeper rose gold at the center, and similar on the reverse, but the colors are on the periphery there. A truly lovely example for the toned Morgan collector.
Estimated Value $500-600.
 
Lot 746      1878-S NGC graded MS-65 and 1879-S NGC graded MS-65. Lot of 2 coins. Each has deep blue or gold peripheral toning on the obverse, less so on the reverse. Frosty and bright elsewhere. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value $200-220.
 
Lot 747      A small group of PCGS graded Morgans, 1878-S MS-63, 1880-S MS-64, 1881-S MS-64 and 1882-S MS-64. Lot of 4 coins. A nice group for the date collector. Lot of 4 coins.
Estimated Value $120-140.
 
Lot 748      A small Morgan dollar lot. Lot of 5 coins. This lot includes 1879-O, 1881-S, 1886-O, 1887-S and 1896-S, grades from VF to XF. A nice lot. Lot of 5 coins.
Estimated Value $70-80.
 
Lot 749      1879-CC, 1890-CC and 1892-CC, grades from VG to Fine. Lot of 3 coins. Circulated, but scarce dates. Lot of 3 coins.
Estimated Value $120-140.
 


Lot 750      1879-CC. Capped die. PCGS graded MS-62 Premium Quality. Satiny luster and untoned. A few scattered ticks expected for the grade, but none are deep or annoying. One of the key dates to the Morgan dollar series, and never offered at a discount as demand remains strong at all times.
Estimated Value $1,500-1,750.
 


Lot 751      1879-CC. Capped die. PCGS graded AU-58. Luster in the protected areas and mostly bright save for a bit of gold at the edge. Scarce and always in demand in high grades, although this one is not quite mint state after a few months or so in circulation.
Estimated Value $800-1,000.
 


Lot 752      1879-S. Reverse of 1879. PCGS graded MS-66. Booming contrast between the whiteness on Liberty's head and face and the deep iridescent colors below on her neck to the date. Further, there is a radiant gold patch around the upper obverse too. Light gold on the reverse. Especially appealing and a gorgeous gem to boot.
Estimated Value $1,200-1,500.
 


Lot 753      1879-S. Reverse of 1879. PCGS graded MS-66. Blue and umber gold tones cover the obverse with a few fiery hints of red and sunset gold near the lower rim, the reverse white.
Estimated Value $700-900.
 
Lot 754      1879-S. Reverse of 1879. PCGS graded MS-66. A satiny white gem that has just a touch of gold at the periphery. Remarkably clean even for this grade, and housed in an older green insert holder.
Estimated Value $150-160.
 


Lot 755      1879-S. Reverse of 1879. PCGS graded MS-65. Gorgeous rainbow toning on the obverse of great intensity on the left side, the right side is mostly untoned and white, as is the reverse.
Estimated Value $800-1,000.
 


Lot 756      1879-S. Reverse of 1879. PCGS graded MS-65. Intense rust gold and reddish blue on the obverse, while the reverse has just a bit of gold at the rims. The obverse toning is a bit irregular, perhaps from an envelope holder.
Estimated Value $750-950.
 
Lot 757      1879-S. Reverse of 1879. PCGS graded MS-64. The reverse is toned with a vibrant arc of blue around the rim and fiery golden red through the eagle, with an area of bright white luster on the lower left. Boldly struck and well preserved, and totally premium colors here.
Estimated Value $300-400.
 


Lot 758      1879-S. Reverse of 1879. NGC graded MS-64. Deeply toned on the obverse with blues, greens, magentas and orange gold hues. Liberty's hair has the golden tones, while her face is bathed in a blue-green sea. White on the reverse.
Estimated Value $600-750.
 


Lot 759      1879-S. Reverse of 1879. ICG graded MS-64. Deeply toned with blue green and rich dark red on the reverse, the obverse remains white. Quite satiny with excellent "spin" from the luster.
Estimated Value $400-500.
 
Lot 760      1879-S. Reverse of 1879. (2 pieces). Lot of 2 coins. Both grade MS-63. In addition, both coins are deeply toned with rich golden hues particularly on the obverse, a bit lighter on the reverse. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value $75-100.