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

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$2.50 Liberty

One of the Finest Graded 1840-C $2.50
Lot 1910      1840-C. NGC graded MS-61. Nice color and surfaces, with just a couple of nicks to note the passage of time. One small line above Liberty's ear, and another hairline mark above her hair bun. Fully struck on the obverse stars, but a touch weak on the upper curl and feather tips on the bird. Extremely rare this nice, and a very important coin for the date or Charlotte specialist. NGC has only graded 2 coins this high, and most importantly, none are graded higher! Thus, we heartily recommend this one to the specialist.
Estimated Value $9,000-11,000.
 
Lot 1911      1852. ICG graded MS-63. Very well struck and very lustrous with some moderate scratches noted on both sides.
Estimated Value $700-800.
 
Lot 1912      1852-C. PCGS graded AU-53. A better than average struck example, without the usual roughness of planchet that seems to plague so many of these Charlotte mint issues. Struck in the natural greenish color gold that is familiar to collectors of Southern mint coins. PCGS reports but 3 in this grade with 21 higher.
Estimated Value $5,000-6,000.
 
Lot 1913      1854. PCGS graded AU-55. Select surfaces and very choice for the grade. A few minor hairlines from circulation, but great color from the long storage and thoughtful preservation. Totally fresh.
Estimated Value $200-225.
From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on February 8, 1944, at $5.00.
 
Lot 1914      1856. PCGS graded AU-55. Well struck save for the legs of the eagle, and well preserved, the only disturbance is a small one between stars ten and eleven.
Estimated Value $200-225.
From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on February 8, 1944, for $5.00.
 
Lot 1915      1857. EF-40. This one has been cleaned although there is still quite a bit of verdigris in the fields near the devices, and there is an unfortunate scratch above STATES in the dentils.
Estimated Value $125-150.
From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on February 8, 1944, for $5.00.
 
Lot 1916      1857-O. PCGS graded AU-58. Bright and flashy throughout, with a decent strike on the obverse. We do note some trivial weakness on the eagle's thigh and claws, but this is expected for the issue. Average surfaces that show faint circulation marks on the delicate fields. PCGS in their Population Report note 27 have been graded as such, with 14 graded in mint state above (best MS-63).
Estimated Value $1,600-1,900.
 
Lot 1917      1858. PCGS graded MS-63. Copper toning on the surfaces over good luster. Strong curls on Liberty, and feathers on the eagle, as well as full stars on the obverse. This one has nice eye appeal and minimal hairlines or handling marks. PCGS has graded 8 this high, with 6 graded as MS-64 above, and 1 coin as MS-65 at the top.
Estimated Value $2,200-2,800.
From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on July 21, 1944, for $7.00.
 

Rich Orange Gold 1859-D $2.50 Liberty
Lot 1918      1859-D. PCGS graded AU-58. Deeply struck by the dies and very well preserved, and we note this one boasts very appealing orange gold luster. PCGS has graded 19 this high and only 7 higher in various mint state grades. Color photo.
Estimated Value $8,000-9,000.
 
Lot 1919      1859-S. PCGS graded AU-58. Splashed with coppery gold toning on both sides over luster. The mintmark is a big blob, a curious feature of this die. Good luster and nearly new, with excellent surfaces and a decent strike too.
Estimated Value $3,000-3,500.
 
Lot 1920      1860-S. PCGS graded AU-55. A scarce date in high grades, only 35,600 were struck, and most are found in lower grades. We note a good strike on the devices, some luster in the fields and only one small tick above OF hidden near the dentils. PCGS has graded 9 this high, and we note 16 graded higher.
Estimated Value $900-1,100.
From the Benson collection and purchased from I Switt on September 19, 1944, for $4.85.
 
Lot 1921      1861, New reverse. PCGS graded AU-55. The new reverse has shorter arrowheads, with the lower point well away from CA, on the old reverse this arrow point nearly touches CA in AMERICA. Nice surfaces and color, with minimal handling marks and no problems.
Estimated Value $200-225.
From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on February 8, 1944, for $5.00.
 
Lot 1922      1865-S. NGC graded EF-40. Hazy luster and a typical "S" Mint strike of the period.
Estimated Value $400-450.
 

Majestic 1866 Deep Cameo Proof
Lot 1923      1866. PCGS graded Proof 64 Deep Cameo. The Philadelphia Mint coined just 30 pieces in proof of this denomination in 1866. Of those, only 2 have been graded as Deep Cameo by PCGS, this coin and another graded as PR-65. The devices and lettering are all deeply frosted, and this coin was obviously one of the very first struck after the dies were prepared for proof coinage. Close scrutiny will locate a few trivial lines, but they are virtually invisible. If you want an extremely rare proof coin that boasts a huge amount of eye appeal, then bid high to capture this prize of numismatic art.
Estimated Value $15,000-UP.
 

Highly Important 1870 $2.50 Liberty
Lot 1924      1870. PCGS graded MS-65 H. W. Bass Jr. Coll. As described in the Bower's sale:

"A fantastic gem, brilliant and bright with prooflike surfaces, a coin which cannot be much different from the day in which it was struck. While the present piece will stand high and proud because of its grade and appearance, it is also a notable rarity. Only 4,520 business strikes were produced. According to Breen, 'Most survivors are EF, higher grade coins are extremely rare.' Another memorable opportunity. Whatever the price paid the coin will be owned by the purchaser, while all others competing may have to wait a long time before getting one - possibly never reaching this goal."

PCGS population is 1 with none higher!.
Estimated Value $15,000-UP.
From the Harry W. Bass, Jr. Coll. Part II, lot 568. Formerly from Lester Merkin's sale of Sept. 1967, lot 349.
 
Lot 1925      1870. PCGS graded MS-60. Great color and nice surfaces and luster, but we note a minor scratch on the upper left reverse field. In an older green insert PCGS holder.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,000.
 
Lot 1926      1870-S. AU-58. Nice color and luster, with minimal signs of handling in the fields and devices. Scarce in higher grades, and this one will no doubt please the collector who needs this date for an album collection.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,500.
 
Lot 1927      1872. PCGS graded AU-58. Prooflike and reflective in the protected areas of the fields although we note the usual ticks from even limited circulation. Rich coppery gold in color, and housed in the older green insert PCGS holder.
Estimated Value $2,250-2,750.
 
Lot 1928      1873. Closed 3. PCGS graded MS-64. A fresh, lustrous coin that has good color and clean surfaces. Fairly sharp on the obverse, the reverse shows slight weakness on the eagle's thigh. Minor die cracks at the top of STATES OF. PCGS has graded 23 this high, with just 6 graded higher.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on February 8, 1944, for $5.00.
 
Lot 1929      1878. EF-40. Traces of luster and sharp.
Estimated Value $150-170.
From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on February 8, 1944, for $5.00.
 
Lot 1930      1880. PCGS graded AU-58. Mintages tailed off dramatically in 1880 to just 2,960 for circulation, as the Philadelphia Mint focused on Morgan silver dollars instead. Clean surfaces that show scattered handling marks and very appealing color. Sharply struck.
Estimated Value $600-700.
From the Benson collection and purchased from I. Switt on August 19, 1944, for $4.85.
 
Lot 1931      1886. Sharpness of EF-40 but damaged. Damaged by several punch marks above the date, and the rims show marks from a past mounting.
Estimated Value $100-135.
From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on February 8, 1944, for $5.00.
 
Lot 1932      1898. PCGS graded MS-65. Well struck with blazing mint luster that exhibits golden-orange mint color.
Estimated Value $1,400-1,600.
 
Lot 1933      1898. PCGS graded MS-64. Another pretty coin from the Benson collection, delicate copper tones over luster and clean surfaces, even for this grade.
Estimated Value $500-600.
From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on February 8, 1944, for $5.00.
 
Lot 1934      1898. PCGS graded MS-63. Bright and prooflike, and this must have been an early strike from the dies.
Estimated Value $500-550.
 
Lot 1935      1899. EF-40. One file mark on the lower right reverse rim.
Estimated Value $125-150.
From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed's auction of December 2, 1944, lot 996 for $6.50.
 
Lot 1936      1900. PCGS graded MS-63. Particularly nice for the grade, with just a hint of haze over lustrous fields. Well struck too.
Estimated Value $425-475.
From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on March 8, 1944, for $5.50.
 
Lot 1937      1900. MS-60+. Hazy luster.
Estimated Value $250-275.
 
Lot 1938      1902. PCGS graded MS-66. A superb gem that boasts rich golden tones with coppery highlights in the fields. The strike is full and complete, and the luster particularly bright. One for the type or date collector who demands top quality. PCGS has graded 66 this high, with just 9 higher, all MS-67 above.
Estimated Value $1,300-1,600.
From the Benson collection and purchased from I. Switt on June 7, 1944, for $4.75.
 
Lot 1939      1902. NGC graded MS-64.
Estimated Value $600-650.
 
Lot 1940      1902. NGC graded MS-63. Bright and lustrous, with one hidden line on the reverse which limits the grade.
Estimated Value $500-550.
 
Lot 1941      1903. PCGS graded MS-64. Nice for the grade assigned, with a couple of hidden ticks on the devices from gem.
Estimated Value $475-525.
From the Benson collection and purchased from I. Switt on February 22, 1944, for $4.75.
 
Lot 1942      1903. EF-45. A few minor ticks from circulation, nice color though.
Estimated Value $150-170.
From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on February 8, 1944, for $5.00.
 
Lot 1943      1904. MS-64. Hazy toning in the fields but generally clean surfaces. Good luster too.
Estimated Value $475-525.
From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on February 8, 1944, for $5.00.
 
Lot 1944      1904. NGC graded MS-63. Nice for the grade, and worth a look.
Estimated Value $475-525.
 

Superb 1905 NGC graded MS-68
Lot 1945      1905. NGC graded MS-68. One of just 2 graded this high by NGC, and of course, none are graded higher of this common date! PCGS hasn't graded any higher than MS-67 of this date as well. Blazing original luster and the surfaces are very nearly perfect, as expected for this superlative grade. If you demand the absolute finest, then take a look at this gem and bid accordingly. Color photo on plate 0.
Estimated Value $14,000-UP.
 
Lot 1946      1905. PCGS graded MS-63. Normal bagmarks but decent color.
Estimated Value $425-475.
From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on March 8, 1944, for $5.50.
 
Lot 1947      1906. PCGS graded MS-63. A nice coin for the grade with minimal hairlines and surface ticks.
Estimated Value $440-480.
 
Lot 1948      1907. PCGS graded MS-64. Bright and flashy, with strong luster and generally clean surfaces. A couple of ticks from gem. Final year of issue of this long running design.
Estimated Value $450-550.
From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on March 8, 1944, for $5.50.