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

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$10 Gold

$10 Capped Bust

Scarce 1795 Eagle
Lot 2081      1795. 13 leaves below eagle. Sharpness of AU-50 but burnished. Burnished lightly in the fields to remove some minor marks. Well struck and all the design elements are sharp and the coin retains plenty of eye appeal.
Estimated Value $10,000-12,500.
 

Desirable 1795 $10 Capped Bust 13 leaves below eagle
Lot 2082      1795. 13 leaves below eagle, Taraszka-1, Breen 1-A, Rarity-3+. Sharpness of VF-35 but there are some rim problems. Well struck and centered for this first year of issue. The edges show minor traces of adjustment marks, but a glass is needed to find them. There is a slight edge lamination and some marks above the RTY of LIBERTY, and on the reverse the rim shows some filing on the dentils above RICA, naturally this area should be inspected carefully by bidders. Minor haze on both sides from handling. A coin for the album collector who doesn't mind the minor problems and can enjoy this piece of American history for what it is.
Estimated Value $5,000-6,000.
From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed's auction of December 2, 1944 for $120.00 as lot 1293.
 

Rare 1799 Taraszka-13 Eagle
Lot 2083      1799. Small obverse stars, Taraszka-13: 9-H, Breen-unknown. High Rarity-7. Sharpness of EF-40 but cleaned. An extremely rare die variety for the specialist to acquire, the obverse is quickly identifiable by a crack through the eighth star down behind the cap, and the twelfth star is obviously recut, the reverse is the Taraszka-H seen on other varieties with the die lumps between UN and CA. Prior to this example turning up, only three others have been located, one from Heritage's 1994 ANA Sale, lot 5817, choice EF (plated there and in the Taraszka reference) another coin from Lester Merkin's 2/12/72 Sale, lot 433 (plated but erroneously labeled lot 432) which is now in the Harry Bass Foundation collection and most recently an example was offered (Unattributed, but it was this variety from the plate) as Superior Galleries in October, 2001 as lot 2824 graded AU-55 cleaned (thanks to Jim McGuigan for noting this rare offering to us).
On this specimen, the surfaces show evidence of an old cleaning or light polishing, and typical circulation marks are present. Sharply struck by the dies, and apparently struck before the very late die state coin in the Harry Bass foundation, but the present coin was clearly struck later than the Heritage/Taraszka plate coin as the crack through the eighth star is more developed. While not a perfect circulated example, waiting for another one to turn up may be a fools game, as another may not exist. A foremost opportunity for the specialist to acquire something quite unusual.
Estimated Value $4,000-UP.
From the Benson collection and purchased from an unknown source circa 1944 for $40.00.
 

$10 Liberty/No Motto

Lot 2084      1838. EF-40. A scarce and popular type coin that boasts nicely struck devices and pretty coppery gold toning surrounding the devices. A few of the stars are not fully struck up, but all hair detail is sharp. Clean rims and average circulation marks. Always in demand for the swept back hair on Liberty, which was changed in early 1839.
Estimated Value $1,700-2,000.
From the Benson collection and purchased from an unknown source circa 1945.
 
Lot 2085      1841. NGC graded AU-50. This one has the expected handling marks on both sides, but is well struck.
Estimated Value $750-850.
 
Lot 2086      1842. Small date. NGC graded AU-55. Traces of luster in the protected areas and the usual handling marks from limited circulation.
Estimated Value $1,200-1,400.
 

Nearly Mint State 1844 Rarity
Lot 2087      1844. NGC graded AU-58. A low mintage date that is rarely found in high grades. Fully struck and well preserved by time, with minimal handling marks from brief circulation. NGC has graded 2 this high, with 2 higher.
Estimated Value $7,000-9,000.
 
Lot 2088      1846. PCGS graded AU-50. Traces of luster and well struck by the dies. This one resides in an older green insert PCGS holder. An appealing example of this date.
Estimated Value $3,200-3,600.
 

Fabulous 1848 $10 Liberty
Lot 2089      1848. PCGS graded MS-64. Richly lustrous and very attractive. The luster is satiny on the obverse and semi-reflective across the reverse. Bright yellow gold in color and an above average strike. An outstading example of a date which is available readily enought in circulated grades , but which at this MS-64 grade, a major rarity and of great importance. In fact, Elisaberg had but a EF-40 example and the Bass specimen graded AU-50. Needless to add, this is the sole example in this grade and is probably the finest in existance. Color photo.
Estimated Value $25,000-UP.
 
Lot 2090      1849. VF-20. Average circulation marks but decent eye appeal for this Gold Rush issue.
Estimated Value $225-250.
From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on June 7, 1944 for $9.75.
 
Lot 2091      1851-O. NGC graded AU-53. Lovely coppery toning around the periphery, and slightly better than average surfaces. This one has the hollow ring in the shield.
Estimated Value $950-1,050.
 

Rare Uncirculated 1852 $10 Liberty
Lot 2092      1852. PCGS graded MS-62. Coppery gold toning on both sides over mint fresh luster. A few stray marks from choice, but plenty of eye appeal for the grade assigned. Fully struck too, with no weakness on Liberty's curls or on the eagle's claws and wings to be found. Scarce this nice, and a perfect type coin or one for the date collector. PCGS has only graded 6 this high, with a single coin higher, that way up at MS-65 above! An opportunity. Identifiable by a few thin diagonal scratches in the field above the eagle's wings. Color photo on plate 0.
Estimated Value $5,000-6,000.
 

Stunning 1854-O $10 Liberty
Lot 2093      1854-O Large Date. MS-60. A well struck example, although as usual the stars are not fully struck up. The surfaces are dazzling and semi-prooflike in appearance. We note some minor contact marks strewn about in the unprotected areas. Extremely rare in this fine state of preservation.
Estimated Value $6,000-UP.
 
Lot 2094      1854-O. Small date, reverse planchet flaw. MS-60+. A very unusual coin that is downright rare in mint state grades. The mintage for the year was 52,500 pieces, and this date is hard to locate at all. Here is a frosty uncirculated coin that was probably held aside because of the unusual planchet flaw, most of which is still attached, at the lower reverse. The flaw is noted around TEN D. to the final A of AMERICA and we also note a long raised flake is present on the lower rim in that same area. A small piece of the planchet has come off near the final A of AMERICA. Well struck and lustrous, with minor signs of handling mostly in the fields. Certainly an unusual coin, and one that should be carefully inspected by prospective buyers.
Estimated Value $3,000-4,000.
 
Lot 2095      1855-S. NGC graded EF-45. A trifle softly struck but with enough mint luster in the protected areas to easily justify this high grade. Rare this choice as NGC reports only 7 in this grade with 4 higher.
Estimated Value $1,400-1,600.
 

Outstanding 1858-S Eagle
Lot 2096      1858-S. NGC graded AU-55. Rare and important, with few seen in this state of preservation. NGC has graded 6 this high, and just 4 higher, all AU-58 above, with no mint state coins seen by that service. Good luster and well struck, with minimal marks from circulation.
Estimated Value $10,000-12,500.
 

The Finest PCGS Graded 1859-S Eagle
Lot 2097      1859-S. PCGS graded AU-55. Creamy orange luster with dashes of copper included. Boldly struck by the dies, and with a large "S" Mintmark as always seen on this die. This is the very finest (and only) 1859-S graded as AU-55 by PCGS! If you are a date collector who demands the very best, then here is the coin for you.
Estimated Value $15,000-17,500.
 
Lot 2098      1860. PCGS graded AU-58. Frosty luster and reflective in the protected areas of the fields. Rare in this grade, and actually quite rare in all grades. Nice coppery toning starting to form. In an older green insert PCGS holder.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,500.
 

1863-S $10 Liberty
Lot 2099      1863-S. AU-50. Some luster in the protected areas, and the surfaces are very nice for the grade, with fewer ticks than usual for the grade. A scarce date in high grades, especially so this nice.
Estimated Value $5,000-UP.
From the Browning sale.
 
Lot 2100      1864. PCGS graded EF-40. Typical circulation marks on this very rare date, and pleasing for the grade. Minimal handling marks and seldom encountered in any grade, especially in such a nice affordable collector grade as offered here.
Estimated Value $2,750-3,000.
 

$10 Liberty/With Motto

Lot 2101      1866-S. With motto. PCGS graded AU-53. An important coin this nice, as most are circulated to grades well below this one. Luster resides in the protected areas, and the strike is full and complete. Minimal wear from brief circulation, and few marks distract the eye.
Estimated Value $4,500-5,500.
 
Lot 2102      1867. PCGS graded AU-50. Great color, luster, strike and eye appeal. In an older green insert PCGS holder and with the usual and expected circulation marks. A rare date this well preserved.
Estimated Value $3,000-3,500.
 
Lot 2103      1868. NGC graded AU-50. A rare date in higher grades, and this one shows good color and average surfaces for the grade.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,250.
 

Rare High Grade 1868-S Eagle
Lot 2104      1868-S. NGC graded AU-58. One of the very finest graded of this date, in fact NGC has only graded 10 this high and PCGS 2 as high, and most importantly, neither service has graded any higher! An impressive coin that circulated briefly and shows the usual scattered handling marks. Decent luster in the fields.
Estimated Value $6,000-7,000.
 

Outstanding High Grade 1868-S $10 Liberty
Lot 2105      1868-S. NGC graded AU-58. A pleasing and bright example with a few minor marks about the reverse rims. A decidedly rare date in high grade as the population report indicates as there are but 10 in this grade with none higher.
Estimated Value $6,000-7,000.
 

Coppery Toned 1869-S $10 Liberty
Lot 2106      1869-S. PCGS graded AU-55. Deep coppery toning on both sides over luster. One minor tick below the eagle's neck will identify this one. Great eye appeal throughout and exceptional quality for this very rare date. PCGS has graded 3 this high, with just 3 higher, one in each grade as follows, 58, 60 and 61. One of the finest around, and worthy of the finest collection.
Estimated Value $8,000-12,000.
 
Lot 2107      1870-S. Fine-15. A decent coin for the moderate grade, with some expected surface ticks, most of which have worn down.
Estimated Value $500-550.
 
Lot 2108      1871. PCGS graded AU-50. Coppery luster on both sides and minimal handling marks. Well struck and very rare this nice, as this is a low mintage date, and few were saved in grades even approaching this.
Estimated Value $2,800-3,100.
 

Impressive 1871-S $10 Liberty
Lot 2109      1871-S. NGC graded AU-58. An appealing example that boasts good luster and lovely coppery toning at the edge.
Estimated Value $10,000-13,000.
 
Lot 2110      1872-S. NGC graded AU-55. Lustrous and traces of coppery toning around the rims. A rare date so close to mint state, and especially so with such a good strike.
Estimated Value $3,000-3,500.
 
Lot 2111      1873-S. NGC graded AU-55. Appealing surfaces and light yellow gold in color. No problem surfaces, which all collectors appreciate.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,500.