January 25-28, 2004, The Pre-Long Beach Coin & Currency Auction
Sale 23

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Large Centss

Liberty Cap Cents

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1296    1795 Double Struck Obverse. Sheldon-78. PCGS graded Fine-12. Dramatically double-struck on the obverse, the die apparently rotating 15-20 degrees on an axis whose point appears to be at 5:00 on the obverse rim. What the good folks at PCGS failed to pick up or mention was the doubling on the reverse.not as dramatic or obvious but clearly visible on the left side of the wreath.
Estimated Value $4,500-5,000.
 

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1297    1796. Liberty cap. Sheldon-91, Rarity-3. Sharpness of VF-30 but tooled and burnished. In the field below the cap is a planchet chip and between D and S is a light edge dent. Dark olive with lighter high points.
The tooling is rather well done, as such things go, and gives the appearance of stronger curl separation on the upper hair of Liberty, the burnishing then softens the effects of tooling and circulation. Better than we make it sound, and worth consideration.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,500.
Ex. James G. Macallister 6/6/44 at $42, Ex. Benson Collection.
 

Draped Bust Cents

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1298    1798. Style 2 hair. S-165`. Fine-15. Mostly well struck with nice detail for the grade. We note a rim nick on the reverse at 6 o'clock.
Estimated Value $250-300.
 

One of the Finest Known 1802 S-227 Large Cents

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1299    1802. S-227, High Rarity-2. NGC graded MS-64 Brown*. A lovely example of this variety, with glossy, silky-smooth surfaces. Approximately 10% of the original mint red still remains in the areas around the lettering and devices - on both sides. NGC has certified only one coin at this level, plus two in MS-65 Brown. These three pieces alone easily beat the MS-61 listed as "finest known" in the recent Breen Encyclopedia of U.S. Large Cents. However, we're comparing apples to oranges here, as the "EAC" grading standards applied in the book are much stricter than the "market" grading standards used by certification services. Nevertheless, this is clearly a Mint State coin that never spent anytime in circulation and, regardless of the grading system used, it is easily one of the top ten examples of the variety. Color photo.
Estimated Value $7,000-8,000.
 

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1300    1798. 8 over 7. Sheldon-151, High Rarity-3. VG-10. With blunt striking as usually seen on this variety. Sharpness of Extremely Fine 40 but scratches and small abrasions exist on the right half of the obverse, on the bust is a lightly corroded area, more light corrosion is scattered around the reverse, at the left base of F is a pit mark and the coin has been cleaned and nicely retoned to a dark reddish steel color. Not as bad in appearance as the description makes it sound.
The overdate is strong, and the obverse surface problems are not too deep or problematic. Struck a bit off-center with a wide rim below the date and to the left on the obverse, similar on the reverse, with the wide rim at the top and right side; obviously the dies were not lined up when these were struck, accounting for the blunt striking. On the reverse, OF AME is weak. This coin has a lot of detail for the grade assigned and we expect a strong price despite the minor problems.
Estimated Value $800-1,200.
Ex. Dr. Christian A. Allenburger; B. Max Mehl M.B.S. 111 3/48:433 as "D-111 (S-150)" at $25; Ex Benson Collection.
 

Liberty Cents

1816 Coronet Head Cent

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1301    1816. Double Struck - 2nd Strike 60% Off-Center. PCGS graded VG-10. A fabulous, double struck Large Cent. The title explains exactly what the error is, but the reality doesn't sink in until one actually examines the piece "in person." A great error that shows two dates and two heads!
Estimated Value $4,000-5,000.
 

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1302    1817. 13 stars. MS-63 Red & Brown. A nice bold strike with intensely lustrous surfaces mellowing from mint color. We note a scratch on the cheek.
Estimated Value $400-440.
 

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1303    1818. NGC graded MS-64 Brown. Well struck in the centers with some weakness on the stars as usually seen. Light brown in color with prominent die cracks around the stars.
Estimated Value $450-500.
 

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1304    1818. PCGS graded MS-63 Red Brown. A well struck example with partial mint red color still visable in the protected areas. A lovely example that undoubtedly traces its history to the famous Randall Hoard.
Estimated Value $300-350.
 

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1305    1818. N-10 (Rarity 1). PCGS graded MS-63 Red & Brown. The surfaces are quite choice and boasts a mixture of faded mint red and light brown. Free from noticeable flyspecks or other distractions. An excellent example from the famed Randall hoard. In a 1st generation holder.
Estimated Value $300-350.
 

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1306    1818. N-10. MS-63 Red & Brown. A late die state with some softness on the stars which are connected by a die crack. Plenty of mint red on both sides. From the Randall Hoard.
Estimated Value $300-350.
 
1307    1818. N-10. MS-60 Brown. Bold thru the centers with some softness on the stars. A die crack connects all the stars. From the Randall Hoard.
Estimated Value $190-210.
 

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1308    1819. Large date. NGC graded MS-63 Brown. A lustrous example and dark bluish-brown in color.
Estimated Value $300-350.
 

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1309    1820. PCGS graded MS-64 Brown. A nice bold strike with full defined hair detail on Liberty. Uniform medium reddish-brown in color. In an old PCGS green holder.
Estimated Value $375-450.
 

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1310    1820. Large date. N-13. MS-64 Brown. Mostly well struck with full hair definition on Liberty. An interesting die crack encircles the entire obverse. The lustrous surfaces, reddish brown with a natural bluish tinge, are satiny and very choice. From the Randall Hoard.
Estimated Value $375-450.
 

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1311    1820. Small date. ANACS graded MS-64 Red Brown. Well struck with full separation within all the hair detail on Liberty. The surfaces are fully lustrous with traces of iridescent red visable.
Estimated Value $450-500.
 

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1312    1831. Large letters. Newcomb-9, ow Rarity-3. PCGS graded AU-55. Ten points sharper but there are several handling marks on both sides, mostly on the obverse, including a few on the face. Golden tan faded from mint color and well struck.
The handling marks are visible with a glass, but the color and appeal of this piece is very high, and we expect a strong price when this one crosses the block.
Estimated Value $400-600.
Ex: Ira S. Reed 1/5/45 at $5.50.; Ex Benson Collection.
 

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1313    1839. Silly head. N-9. NGC graded MS-64 Brown. A marvelous, fully lustrous example now mellowed to a pleasing redwood brown.
Estimated Value $1,100-1,200.
 

Elusive Proof 1841 Large Cent

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1314    1841. PCGS graded MS-64 Brown. Lovely lilac, blue, and green toning. The obverse retains about 20% of the original mint red, most of it fading to light brown. The reverse is a tad darker in color, but is equally iridescent and flashy. Only two dozen Proofs are estimated to exist of this date, the low population due to the low demand when the coins were issued (the Mint was still well away from offering Proof coins to the general public, and only a few knowledgeable collectors and "friends o' the Mint" were able to obtain them). PCGS reports 5 coins at this level, plus 2 in PR-65 BN and 1 in PR-66 BN.

For identification purposes, future owners and researchers can look for the following: two tiny marks just in front of Liberty's nose, and a small carbon spot on the right arm of the second T in STATES.
Estimated Value $8,000-10,000.
 

Delightful 1842 Large Cent Proof

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1315    1842. Small date. PCGS graded MS-64 Brown. One of only 6 Proofs known of this date, this being one of the nicest. The surfaces are a rich, reddish-brown color, with some traces of mint red that are not accounted for in the "Brown" designation. Hints of lovely blue iridescence abound on both sides. The details are superb, brought up fully by the intense pressures of the Proofing process, and they are far sharper than on any circulation strike 1842 Large Cent. PCGS reports only 2 examples at this grade, with none finer. A true prize for the Large Cent specialist or type collector.
Estimated Value $8,000-10,000.
 
1316    1842. Large date. N-9. MS-60 Brown. Well struck in the centers, a trifle soft on some of the upper stars. The lustrous surfaces exhibit a pleasing uniform bluish-mahogany color.
Estimated Value $140-160.
 

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1317    1846. Tall date. N-12. NGC graded MS-65 Brown. Well struck and uniform reddish-brown in color. Pop of 1 with none higher for the variety.
Estimated Value $1,100-1,300.
 

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1318    1848. N-9. NGC graded MS-65 Red & Brown. Well struck with plenty of fiery mint red color still evident on both sides. Pop of 1. Finest graded by NGC for the variety in Red Brown.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,100.
 

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1319    1850. N-1. NGC graded MS-67 Brown. Boldly struck with virtually flawless surfaces throughout. Uniform mahogany brown in color. Population of 1 and the Finest Graded by NGC.
Estimated Value $1,500-1,750.
 

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1320    1851. NGC graded MS-65 Brown. A well struck and glossy specimen exhibiting chocolate brown with a hint of mint red.
Estimated Value $550-600.
 

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1321    1851. N-10. MS-64 Red. Well struck with fiery mint red color. We note a fly-speck on the bridge of the nose. A splendid and very choice Large Cent.
Estimated Value $600-750.
 
1322    1851, 1853, 1854 and 1856. About Uncirculated to MS-60. A worthwhile grouping that should be examined prior to bidding. Lot of 4 coins.
Estimated Value $300-400.
 

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1323    1851. NGC graded MS-64 Brown. Well struck with a small old scratch barley noticable just behind the head of Liberty. Uniform light brown in color.
Estimated Value $275-325.
 

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1324    1852. PCGS graded MS-62 Brown. Pleasing reddish-brown with mint red still present in the protected areas. In an old green holder.
Estimated Value $200-225.
 

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1325    1853. N-6 (Rarity 1). PCGS graded MS-64 Brown. Uniform medium reddish-brown.
Estimated Value $250-300.
 
1326    1853. N-3. MS-63 Red & Brown. Bold thru the centers and soft about the stars. Light chocolate brown with traces of mint color still evident.
Estimated Value $150-200.
 

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1327    1853. N-26 (Rarity 1). PCI graded MS-62 Brown. Well struck and mahogany brown in color. We agree with the grade.
Estimated Value $150-175.
 

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1328    1855. Upright 55. N-12. NGC graded MS-66 Red & Brown. The hair detail on Liberty is completely defined and the surfaces appear to be mark-free. Fiery mint luster rests within the protected areas of the devices. We suggest the new owner reholder this coin as the plastic is scratched up. Population of 1. This is the only one graded.
Estimated Value $1,200-1,300.
 

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1329    1855. Upright 55. NGC graded MS-65 Brown. Glossy smooth surfaces and a uniform reddish-brown in color.
Estimated Value $475-550.
 
1330    1855. Upright 55 and 1855 Slanting 5. MS-60 Brown. Each is a well struck example and milk chocolate in color. A pair of the popular Red Book varieties. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value $200-300.
 

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1331    1856. Upright 5. N-7. NGC graded MS-65 Brown. A nice sharp strike with satiny mint surfaces toned to a uniform reddish-brown. Pop of 1 with 1 higher in MS-66 Brown.
Estimated Value $450-500.
 
1332    1856. Upright 5. N-6. MS-63 Red & Brown. Boldly struck thru the centers, some of the stars are a bit flat. We note a small scratch on the cheek and mint color still adheres to all the devices.
Estimated Value $150-200.
 

Blazing 1853 Red Cent

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1333    1853. Newcomb-10, Rarity-1. PCGS graded MS-64. With shallow low areas on the neck and in the central reverse. Full fiery mint red just beginning to tone with a few tiny carbon specks. Intermediate die state. This is one of the very finest examples of a very common variety.
Estimated Value $600-700.
Ex: James G. Macallister, circa 1945 at $2.50.; Ex Benson Collection.
 

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1334    1856. Upright 5. Newcomb-7, Rarity-1. PCGS graded MS-64. Medium chocolate brown with considerable mint red around the obverse devices and a large lighter spot at the right side of star twelve. Between N in ONE and C in CENT is a hairline scratch. Early die state and very sharply struck.
Sharply struck with each star showing their radial lines, and no signs of weakness on the central devices. A beautiful cent that would be difficult to locate in a higher grade.
Estimated Value $300-400.
Probably purchased in the mid 1940s, but no provenance is available; Ex Benson Collection.
 

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1335    1856. Slanting 5. Newcomb-14, Rarity-1. PCGS graded MS-64. Quite well struck for this variety. Mint red toning to brown with dark brown areas on the upper reverse. Relatively free from abrasions and carbon spots. Intermediate die state.
The only signs of weakness in the strike are on the upper coronet, and on most stars, which do not show the full radial lines. Sharp on the reverse, with most of the definition present in wreath leaves. Abundant red on both sides, with toning and fading underway. Tied for the finest graded by PCGS in the Red and Brown category with 6 others, and nearly impossible to find this variety in full red, as only 2 coins have been graded as such.
Estimated Value $300-400.
Ex: James G. Macallister 7/2/45 as "Unc." for $2.; Ex Benson Collection.
 
1336    A Lot of 10 Large Cents Graded AG to Fine. 1830-1854. In old envelops. Lot of 10 coins.
Estimated Value $50-75.
Remnants of the Benson Collection.