Feb. 16, 2001, The Benson Collection Part 1, Sale 8
Lot 271
1794. Sheldon-55, High
Rarity-2. Del Bland graded Fine-15. With weak striking on most of
the letters in UNITED STATES Sharpness of Very Fine 20 but on both sides are
edge dents, the worst over NI. Cleaned and retoned to a light steel tan color.
Much better than the description sounds, and worth a strong bid from
specialists in early copper. The edge dents are minor on the obverse, and not
too distracting on the reverse either.
Estimated Value $500-800.
Lot 272
1794. Office Boy reverse.
Sheldon-56, High Rarity-2. Del Bland graded VF-30. With weak
striking at UNI. Five points sharper but the obverse has been cleaned and
nicely retoned to a light medium brown color, the reverse being a natural
medium brown with a dark area over the first A in AMERICA. In addition, on the
left obverse edge are two very small dents and on each side are a couple of
minor abrasions. Quite appealing and certain to attract active bidding from
variety specialists.
Estimated Value $3,000-4,500.
Lot 273
1794. "Head of 1794".
Sheldon-60, High Rarity-3. PCGS graded AU-50 and Del Bland graded VF-35.
Excellent medium dark steel brown surfaces marred only by a couple of tiny
nicks including one opposite the chin and a light edge dent on the lower
reverse. Called Very Fine-30 by Dr. Sheldon in Early American Cents but this
coin qualifies as five points better. Tied for sixth finest known with five
other examples. The reverse is plated in the 1910 Elder-Gilbert book. H-23 on
the edge in white ink, now hidden by the PCGS holder.
A beautiful cent, by
any standards, the tiny tick before Liberty's chin is scarcely noticeable, and
the surfaces are very choice indeed. The color is uniform throughout, and this
coin does not have the usual surface problems seen on so many early coppers.
Struck from sharply clashed dies, with leaves above the back of Liberty's head,
and her hair curls visible around the leaves on the reverse.
Estimated
Value $2,500-3,500.
Ex. W. W. Hays, 1900-Charles Steigerwalt;
1906-Charles G. Zug; Lyman H. Low 3/07:35 $4.75; Thomas L. Elder; E. Gilbert;
Thomas L. Elder #44 10/10:35 $18; H.O.Granberg; William H. Woodin; The United
States Coin Co., 5/15: 120 $11; Howard R. Newcomb; J.C. Morgenthau & Co. #458
2/45:52 at $27.
Lot 274
1794. The Fallen 4. Sheldon
63, Low Rarity-3. Del Bland graded VF-25. Sharpness of Extremely
Fine 40 but the entire obverse rim shows evidence of being filed down and in
the field opposite Liberty are two very long, hairline scratches. Cleaned and
retoned to a darkish steel color with a huge dark red area on the lower left
reverse and small spots right of Y and over F where corrosion was removed.
Still a beautiful cent which possesses a lot of charm.
Estimated Value
$1,000-1,800.
Ex: Willard C. Blaisdell; Henry A. Sternberg; M. H.
Bolender M.B.S. #190 3/56:1565; R. E. Naftzger, Jr; Robert Gildred; Kagin's
Numismatic Auctions #331 10/83: 1012; Larry Hanks (Hanks & Associates); Kenneth
Alterman; Larry Hanks (Hanks & Associates); Bowers & Merena 1/95:1077; Larry
Hanks (Hanks & Associates); Bowers and Merena 11/98"1057.
Lot 275
1794. "Head of 1794".
Sheldon-71, Rarity-2. PCGS graded AU-58 and Del Bland graded AU-55.
Medium steel brown with traces of faded mint red, mostly in the obverse,
and a magnificent cent. Kept from full mint state by light wear on the highest
part of the hair and several light scrapes hidden on the edge over RICA and the
fraction. Careless handling resulted in traces of raw copper being visible on
the rims on both sides. Eventually this will tone to a natural color. Pristine
surfaces, beautiful color and a delight to behold. Tied with one other for
third finest known.
Estimated Value $25,000-UP.
Ex: Major Sir
Rowland Denys Guy Winn, M.C. 4th Baron St. Oswald; Christie, Manson & Woods,
Ltd. (London) 10/64:164; A. H. Baldwin & Sons, Ltd. (London); Lester Merkin; C.
Douglas Smith, 1965; Alfred Bonard; Henry J. Berube (New England Coin Co.);
Alan Weinberg 2/79; Del Bland 5/13/86; Herman Halpern 12/26/86; C. Douglas
Smith; Dr. Robert J. Shalowitz; Dr. Allen Bennett.
Lot 276
1795. Plain edge, double
struck mint error. Sheldon-78, Rarity-1. NGC graded Fair-2 Brown, and
Del Bland graded FR-2. Double struck with the outline of a second bust
plainly visible opposite the neck. Struck somewhat off center with a few long
scratches on both sides. Medium dark olive brown.
We also note a second 5
from the original strike near the pole. An interesting error in a moderate
grade.
Estimated Value $250-UP.
Lot 277
1795. Lettered edge.
Sheldon-73, low Rarity-5. PCGS graded VF-25 and Del Bland graded F-12.
Slightly sharper but lightly porous with faint evidence of smoothing,
mostly on the obverse, and visible only under magnification, plus a minor
scratch opposite the face. Dark olive with brown high points. Tied for eighth
finest known with two others.
A rare coin in this grade, and firmly in the
top twelve Condition Census for the variety. The surfaces do show light
porosity, while the devices are mostly lighter brown in color and generally
smooth where worn. Only one coin is significantly better, the rest generally
fall in Fine or below condition for the variety. Therefore, waiting for a
better one is not likely to be fruitful. An important coin that has been tucked
away for nearly 56 years.
Estimated Value $750-1,500.
Ex. Howard R.
Newcomb; J. C. Morgenthau & Co. #458, 2/45:75 at $20.
Lot 278
1795. Lettered edge.
Sheldon-75, Rarity-3. Del Bland graded VG-7. Appealing medium brown
with edge dents at the end of the cap, over L and over F plus a few surface
handling marks consistent with the grade.
Estimated Value $200-300.
Lot 279
1795. Plain edge.
Sheldon-76b, Rarity-1. PCGS graded AU-55 and Del Bland graded VF-35.
ONE CENT high in wreath. Sharpness of Extremely Fine 45, but on Liberty and
elsewhere on the obverse are numerous faint scratches visible with a glass, and
there is some weak striking on O of OF. Medium light brown with light olive
overtones.
The weakness on OF is caused by the bust point on Liberty, which
is opposite that area on the obverse. As to the faint scratches, they are
barely perceptible with a 10 X loupe, obviously old and toned over, and also
didn't bother the graders at PCGS. We do recommend personal inspection before
the sale so any potential buyer is fully aware of this coins particular
qualities and problems. Splendid light brown color and worthy of a strong bid
despite its minor problems.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,500.
Ex. James
G. Macallister, circa 1945 at $40.
Lot 280
1795. Plain edge, ONE CENT
high. Sheldon-76b, Rarity-1. Del Bland graded VF-25. Sharpness of
VF-35 but on both sides are some small nicks and edge dents, the worst being
over RI of AMERICA. Medium light steel brown and off center to the left.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,600.
Lot 281
1795. Plain edge, ONE CENT
high. Sheldon-76b, Rarity-1. Del Bland graded VF-20. With a huge
straight edge planchet clip opposite the face and struck on a heavier than
normal planchet (probably cut down at the Mint to conform to the correct
weight). Sharpness of Extremely Fine-40 but the edges on both sides exhibit
numerous small edge dents and on the obverse are a few tiny nicks. Cleaned and
nicely retoned to a darkish steel tan color.
Estimated Value $350-500.
Ex: Stack's 9/72:568; Allen F. Lovejoy; Stack's 10/82:615; unknown;
Bowers and Merena 9/88:3220; Jack H. Robinson; McLaughlin + Robinson Coins
#4385 2/89:104; Robinson S. Brown, Jr.; McCawley + Grellman Auctions #4:43:
Thomas D. Reynolds; Bowers and Merena 11/94:3348.
Lot 282
1795. Plain edge.
Sheldon-77, Rarity-3. Sharpness of VF-30 but slightly porous and lightly
cleaned. This coin has a very nice appearance, with medium brown color with
darker areas of toning which highlight the devices. Cleaned and nicely retoned
with light porosity on both sides. The edges show some marks, none deep or
large, but chewy comes to mind. On the reverse there are some hairline
scratches where something has been removed over ONE and near OF. Better than we
make it sound.
Estimated Value $500-700.
Lot 283
1796. Liberty cap.
Sheldon-89, Rarity-3. Del Bland graded VF-30. With some small
planchet pit marks on the obverse and a small planchet clip visible mostly on
the reverse. Pleasing glossy dark olive surfaces covered with a protective coat
of wax. Tied for finest known with three other pieces, the Proskey-Hines coin
formerly graded VF-35 now being called VF-30.
One of the highlights of the
Benson Collection, this is one of the more challenging varieties to locate in
high grades. For some reason, no S-89s survived better than the coin offered
here. Struck a bit off-center on the obverse towards 9 o'clock, and off-center
on the reverse towards 7 o'clock. Excellent surfaces that show only faint signs
of handling, and none of the usual heavy marks, digs or scratches that are so
often encountered on coins of this grade or lower. Certain to be fought over by
specialists in copper, and worthy of a strong bid.
This one comes with the
small square white box with gold lining and cotton liner inside.
Estimated
Value $5,000-UP.
Ex: Dr. George P. French 3/21/29; B. Max Mehl F.P.L.,
1929:108 at $40; T. James Clarke, 1944; B. Max Mehl; B. Max Mehl M.B.S. #106
6/45:1656 at $45.
Lot 284
1796. Liberty cap, double
struck. Sheldon-84, Rarity-3. Del Bland graded Good-5. A mint error
with the outline of a second cap appearing above the primary strike and
doubling on top of the head although far less prominent. Darkish steel brown
with much lighter high points, a couple of ancient scratches on the neck and
shoulder and a tiny edge dent at K8 on the reverse, the date weak. A pretty
coin that should please most collectors.
Estimated Value $200-275.
Lot 285
1796. Liberty cap.
Sheldon-86, Rarity-5. Del Bland graded Fine-12. Sharpness of Very
Fine-25, but lightly porous, some fine pitting at LI and a burnished area at
the lower left reverse. Medium dark steel brown.
Estimated Value
$750-1,500.
Ex: G. Lee Kuntz; Douglas F. Bird; Gary Ruttenberg; M + G
Auctions 8/96:112; Stuart "Mac" MacDonald; Heritage Numismatic Auctions
8/97:5092.
Lot 286
1796. Liberty cap.
Sheldon-91, Rarity-3. PCGS graded AU-53 and Del Bland graded VF-35.
Five points sharper but on both sides are some very small edge dents and on
the back of the cap is a long nick. Pleasant medium dark chocolate brown
surfaces that are somewhat glossy.
Lovely for the grade assigned and well
worth a strong bid. The final Liberty Cap variety.
Estimated Value
$3,500-4,500.
Ex: W.W.C. Wilson; Wayte Raymond for the Anderson
Galleries #1996 11/25:206; Carl Wurtzbach; unknown; L & B Coins 4/77; Thomas D.
Reynolds 5/7/92; Robinson S. Brown, Jr.; Superior Stamp & Coin Co. 1/96:126.
Lot 287
1796. Liberty cap.
Sheldon-91, Rarity-3. Del Bland graded 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 $1,500-2,500.
Ex. James G.
Macallister 6/6/44 at $42.