Feb. 16, 2001, The Benson Collection Part 1, Sale 8
Lot 601
1854. Newcomb-26, High
Rarity-3. PCGS graded MS-64 Red and Brown and Del Bland graded MS-63.
Mint red toning to brown with a long vertical darker streak in the lower
left obverse field and traces of carbon on both sides. A sharply struck example
of this early die state. Tied for fourth finest known with several
others.
The obverse streak blends in well with the color of the coin, and
the coin appears to have come in contact with something that brushed across the
obverse, causing the streak and small dark areas surrounding. Another appealing
piece that retains most of the original mint color and has excellent surfaces.
Estimated Value $750-1,250.
Ex: Ira S. Reed 12/15/44 at $3.
Lot 602
1854. Newcomb-27, Rarity-3.
Del Bland graded MS-62. With some blunt striking in the central
areas on both sides and with low areas covering the neck, jaw, at E in ONE and
NT in CENT. Medium chocolate brown with considerable mint red around the
devices. The surfaces are lustrous and without defects other than a few on the
obverse visible under magnification. Early to middle die state.
Estimated
Value $300-375.
Lot 603
1855. Pattern Cent. Large
Flying Eagle, copper nickel, plain edge. J-170, P-196, Rarity-6. Proof
60. This one has the experimental alloy of 80 percent copper, 20 percent
nickel. With nickel in the alloy, the planchet was very hard, thus the strike
is not as full as one might expect on a proof coin, with weakness on a few of
the upper devices and lower parts of the stars. Possibly cleaned long ago, and
a bit pinkish in color. From an old collection.
Estimated Value $900-1,000.
With an old Empire Coin Company envelope with a price of $30.
Lot 604
1855. Upright 5's.
Sharpness of AU-58 but cleaned. Cleaned to an orange color and
starting to retone. Sharply impressed.
Estimated Value $75-100.
Lot 605
1855. Upright 5's.
Newcomb-4, Rarity-1. PCGS graded MS-64 Red and Brown. Del Bland
graded AU-50. Sharpness of Mint State but cleaned long ago and now retoned to a
dull redish color with steel green overtones.
Estimated Value $200-300.
Lot 606
1855. Upright 5's.
Newcomb-3, Rarity-1. Del Bland graded AU-55. Mint state sharpness
but cleaned and retoned to a uniform dull golden tan with a very small edge
nick right of star eight and a tiny carbon spot right of star eleven. Early to
middle die state.
Estimated Value $125-200.
Lot 607
1855. Upright 5's.
Newcomb-4, Rarity-1. PCGS graded MS-64 Red and Del Bland graded Mint
State 67. With low areas around ONE. Blazing mint red with a few trivial
abrasions on the obverse visible under a glass. Very common but very nice.
Earlier die state.
This is a common hoard coin, but nevertheless, finding a
sparkling jewel like this requires patience. After purchasing this coin, you
will always delight in the spectacular color and glowing luster. One for the
type collector who demands first rate quality. Color photo.
Estimated Value
$1,500-2,000.
Ex: Ira S. Reed 12/4/45 at $7.50.
Lot 608
1855. Upright 5's.
Newcomb-4, Rarity-1. PCGS graded MS-64 Red and Brown and Del Bland
graded MS-63. Mint red toning to brown with very wide slightly darker brown
areas across the lower obverse and upper reverse. Minute specks of carbon are
visible above and behind Liberty. Earlier die state.
Some of the obverse
stars are radially challenged due to weakness in the strike, but Liberty's head
and other central features are well struck. Mostly mint red in color, and far
more desirable as such.
Estimated Value $750-1,250.
Ex: Ira S. Reed
12/15/44 at $3.50.
Lot 609
1855. Upright 5's.
Newcomb-4, Rarity-1. Del Bland graded MS-64. With a low spot over
the right side of N in ONE. Mint red toning to brown with a minor rim nick left
of star seven and a darker brown spot through the top of eight.
Estimated
Value $375-450.
Lot 610
1855. Slanting 5's, knob on
ear. Newcomb-9, Rarity-1. PCGS graded MS-64 Brown and Del Bland graded
MS-60. Slightly better being medium chocolate brown with mint red around
the devices, mostly on the obverse but left of star eleven and on the upper
reverse are tiny specks of raised corrosion. Intermediate die state with the
die break over the ear fairly well developed.
A faint crack appears below
the Y of LIBERTY, and the piece of the die has not failed in that area yet. The
knob over the ear is large and clearly visible. We note in the recent PCGS
Population Report that only two coins have been graded in Mint State, this
being the finest reported there. Certainly one of the better examples known of
this popular variety, which is difficult to locate in mint state.
Estimated
Value $400-600.
Ex: James G. Macallister, circa 1945 as "Unc." at $3.
Lot 611
1855. Slanting 5's, knob on
ear. Newcomb-9, Rarity-1. Del Bland graded AU-55. Uniform medium
chocolate brown with smooth surfaces and a light edge dent over the right side
of T in UNITED. Middle to late die state with an advanced knob.
Estimated
Value $300-450.
Lot 612
1855. Slanting 5's.
Newcomb-10, Rarity-1. PCGS graded MS-65 Red and Del Bland graded MS-65.
With a very small planchet defect on the reverse rim at K2½. Full
mint red lightly toning down and almost completely free from carbon. A sharply
struck earlier die state. Tied for fourth finest with several
others.
According to the recent PCGS Population Report, this is the finest
graded "Slanted 55" large cent, it is the only Red coin as MS-65, there are
none graded higher, and only 3 coins graded MS-64 Red. No hoards of the slanted
55 have turned up, and this coin remains decidedly undervalued and
unappreciated. If you have ever wondered what these large cents looked like
when they were first struck, then be sure to view one of these "Red" mint state
coins. Copper tends to tone more quickly than silver or gold, so very few
copper coins that are more than 100 years old retain their original red color.
Usually handling and time take their toll, and most copper coins are toned
brown, even if the surfaces remain pristine and untouched.
Estimated Value
$2,000-UP.
Ex: Ira S. Reed 12/4/45 at $7.50.
Lot 613
1855. Slanting 5's.
Newcomb-10, Rarity-1. Del Bland graded MS-63. Lustrous mint red and
medium light brown with three microscopic nicks on the face which are almost
invisible to the unaided eye, a dark spot between the bases of 8 and 5 and a
smaller one right of the top of star twelve. Middle to late die state.
Estimated Value $350-450.
Lot 614
1855. Slanting 5's.
Newcomb-10, Rarity-1. Del Bland graded MS-61. With three tiny low
spots on top of the neck and a low area touching the ribbon on the reverse.
Lovely dark steel brown surfaces with faint light steel blue overtones and
traces of faded mint red on both sides. Defect free except for a tiny dent on
the lower line of the bust. Middle die state.
Estimated Value $200-300.
Lot 615
1856. Slanting 5.
Newcomb-2, Rarity-1. Del Bland graded MS-60. Just slightly better
but rim defects over star five, between stars six and seven and left of U of
UNITED. Light brown with faint light steel overtones and traces of mint red
around many devices, mostly on the reverse. Early to middle die state.
Estimated Value $200-300.
Lot 616
1856. Slanting 5.
Newcomb-3, Rarity-1. Del Bland graded MS-60. Medium dark steel brown
on the obverse, the reverse medium chocolate brown, both sides frosty and
exceptionally clean except for a tiny nick right of the top of 6. Early die
state.
Estimated Value $200-350.
Lot 617
1856. Upright 5. Newcomb-6,
Rarity-1. Del Bland graded MS-64. A point or two better in terms of
quality with enough mint red to justify a 66 coin, but on the top line of the
coronet above I is a tiny dent, on the rim between stars eleven and twelve is
another one and still one more exists on the rim over the space between T and E
in UNITED and on the bust is a very small, light carbon spot. Perfect for a
high grade type or date set. Early die state.
Estimated Value $500-800.
Ex: Bowers and Merena 11/99:412.
Lot 618
1856. Upright 5. Newcomb-7,
Rarity-1. PCGS graded MS-64 Red and Brown and Del Bland graded MS-61.
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 $750-1,250.
Probably purchased in the mid 1940s, but no provenance is available.
Lot 619
1856. Upright 5.
Newcomb-10, Rarity-1. Del Bland graded MS-62. With two low spots
below ONE. Medium light steel brown and mint red with a small, diagonal nick on
the chin and two small dents on the rim over D S. Early to middle die state.
Estimated Value $350-450.
Ex: Heritage Numismatic Auctions #5 11/89:
48; Joe Dooley; M & G Auctions 1/97:718; Stuart "Mac" MacDonald; Heritage
Numismatic Auctions 9/97:5394.
Lot 620
1856. Slanting 5.
Newcomb-14, Rarity-1. PCGS graded MS-64 Red and Brown and Del Bland
graded MS-63. 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 $750-1,250.
Ex: James G.
Macallister 7/2/45 as "Unc." for $2.
Lot 621
1856. Slanting 5.
Newcomb-14, Rarity-1. Del Bland graded MS-61. Medium steel brown
blended with mint red and better struck than most of this variety. Opposite the
chin is a trace of a vertical darkish spot but free from any abrasions.
Estimated Value $150-250.
Lot 622
1857. Large date.
Newcomb-1, Rarity-1. PCGS graded MS-62 Brown and Del Bland graded AU-55.
Medium chocolate brown, sharply struck and very clean. Early die
state.
Another magnificent cent that boasts excellent fields and devices,
and choice color. Far and away the most available variety of the date, and most
of the mint state survivors are found toned, usually with few signs of original
mint red color. Sharply struck on all but the last two stars. The final year of
issue of the large cent.
Estimated Value $200-300.
Probably
purchased in the mid 1940s, but no provenance information is available.
Lot 623
1857. Small date.
Newcomb-2, Rarity-2. Del Bland graded MS-65. With low spots on back
of the neck and in the fields behind the neck. Full mint red lightly toned down
and displaying a couple microscopic nicks on the upper obverse and one on the
rim over the left side of D in UNITED. Early die state. Second finest known and
may be equal to the finest which is listed as Mint State 66.
The low spots
are small and unimportant when one considers how rare this coin is. The small
date is very difficult to find in mint state, and we note that only a single
coin is reported in the PCGS Population Report that has been graded "Red" by
that service. To find a full gem that boasts stunning original mint red is
nearly impossible. Don't forget, this coin has been off the market for nearly
57 years! An extraordinary opportunity for the astute numismatist. Color photo.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
Ex: Ira S. Reed, 6/6/44 for $4.
Lot 624
1857. Small date.
Newcomb-2, High Rarity-1. Del Bland graded MS-60. With blunt
striking on the top front line of the coronet and on top of the ribbon as
usually seen on this variety. Slightly better with a considerable amount of
mint red but at ER and Y and near star thirteen are small carbon spots, a
larger one is in the right obverse field where two minute nicks reside and
right of star eight is a minor edge dent. Another cent that is much better in
appearance than it sounds. Middle die state.
Estimated Value $275-450.
Ex: Bowers and Merena 11/99:417.
Lot 625
1857. Small date.
Newcomb-4, Rarity-1. NGC graded MS-65 Red and Brown, and Del Bland
graded MS-63. With a low spot at the right side of T in CENT. Mint red
starting to tone to brown with microscopic evidence of carbon plus a small spot
touching the forelock. Diligent searching reveals a couple of abrasions on the
obverse. Early to middle die state.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,500.
Ex: Stack's 3/91:1458.
Lot 626
1857. Small date.
Newcomb-4, Rarity-1. NGC graded MS-63 Red and Brown and Del Bland graded
MS-65. With low areas around ONE CENT. Well struck and an outstanding
specimen of the last year of the large cent. Full mint regular beginning to
tone to brown on the obverse, the reverse mostly bright with an olive color on
the leaves below CA in AMERICA. At the left top of the second Tin STATES is a
tiny scratch. Tied with at least one other piece for finest known. Middle to
late die state.
Estimated Value $2,500-UP.
Ex: Bowers and Merena
9/89:2003.