Feb. 16, 2001, The Benson Collection Part 1, Sale 8

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The "Heathgate" Collection of Flying Eagle and Indian Cents

Indian Head Cents

Lot 1136 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1891. PCGS graded Proof 66 Red. An outstanding example with deep mirrors and excellent eye appeal. A tougher date in the later proof series, and this is one of the finest graded examples. Only 4 are graded by PCGS with none higher.
Estimated Value $3,000-4,000.
Includes Eagle Eye Photo Seal.

Lot 1137 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1891. Snow-1. ICG graded MS-65 Brown. A very scarce and dramatic doubled die with major doubling visible on the LIBERTY and OF. This example is tied for the finest known. Only 23 examples are known to exist. This example is well struck, with lots of luster. The Cherry Picker's Guide prices this coin at $750 in AU. Variety collecting is the Flying Eagle and Indian Cent series is very active. The top varieties like the 1891 Snow-1 are in extremely high demand.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,500.
Includes Eagle Eye Photo Seal.

Lot 1138 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1892. PCGS graded Proof 65 Red. This coin exhibits deep mirrors with very few impairments. A light finger smudge above the feathertips may have caused this coin from garnering a higher grade. This is a relatively common date.
Estimated Value $800-1,000.
Includes Eagle Eye Photo Seal.

Lot 1139 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1893. PCGS graded Proof 66 Red. A stunning deep mirror cameo gem. This coin is an outstanding example of this date and one of the finest known. Only 4 are graded by PCGS with one higher. A small Mint caused planchet lamination above the first feathertip is all that keeps this coin from a PR67RD grade.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,500.
Includes Eagle Eye Photo Seal.

Lot 1140 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1894. PCGS graded Proof 65 Red. This example exhibits an attractive golden color with moderate mirror. A few light ticks and Mint caused planchet marks are present but do not appreciably detract from the look of the coin.
Estimated Value $1,200-1,600.
Includes Eagle Eye Photo Seal.

The Finest Known 1894 Double Date

Lot 1141 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1894. Doubled date. Snow-1. PCGS graded MS-66 Red. An outstanding coin with superb surfaces and full strike. This is a real treasure. As a representative of just the 1894 issue, it ranks as one of the finest known. The odds that it is also the scarce and popular Snow-1 are nearly inconceivable! What a treat it is to see such a wonderful example.

Needless to say, this is the finest known example of this very popular repunched date. This is certainly the top repunched date in the Indian Cent series. The date on this variety is strongly repunched to the northeast. Only a few repunched date are collected as part of the regular date set, the 1867/67 Snow-1, 1869-69 Snow-3 and the 1894/1894 Snow-1. PCGS presently labels only this one and the 1867.
Estimated Value $10,000-UP.
Includes Eagle Eye Photo Seal.

Lot 1142 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1895. PCGS graded Proof 66 Red. A beautiful deep mirror example that grabs the light and doesn't give it back. An early die state example with "orange peel" fields.

After the dies are hubbed and the date is applied, the die is given multiple polishes with progressively finer and finer polish. The last polish given to the dies prior to being hardened gives the field a surface quite like a mirror. This is the deepest mirror attainable on the dies. When the die is hardened, the metal shrinks slightly creating a wavy effect on the polished surfaces. It looks somewhat like the surface of an orange. When you see orange peel on a proof issue you can be sure that it is one of the first examples struck from those dies. Later polishing to the already hardened dies will produce a flatter and shallower mirror.
Estimated Value $1,200-1,600.
Includes Eagle Eye Photo Seal.

Lot 1143 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1896. PCGS graded Proof 65 Red. A beautiful and nearly flawless example. The surfaces are satiny and free of any marks. This is a tough date to locate in gem full red. Only 8 examples are presently graded by PCGS with 4 higher.
Estimated Value $1,200-1,600.
Includes Eagle Eye Photo Seal.

Lot 1144 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1897. PCGS graded Proof 67 Red. This is one of the most spectacular Proof Indian Cents you'll ever see. It has ultra deep mirrors and bright frosted devices. The fields have heavy "orange peel" which gives the impression that this could be one of the first examples struck off these dies. If one were to pick the top quality coin from this collection, this would probably your choice.
Estimated Value $3,500-4,500.
Includes Eagle Eye Photo Seal.

Lot 1145 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1898. PCGS graded Proof 67 Red. Another unbelievable ultra-extraordinary gem proof Indian Cent. This beauty has deep, deep mirrors with orange peel fields and bright frosty devices. Only a small planchet flake above the 5th feathertip keeps this coin from perfection. Coins with this type of eye appeal are very, very rare and always in high demand. Expect spirited bidding for this one.
Estimated Value $3,500-4,500.
Includes Eagle Eye Photo Seal.

Lot 1146 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1899. PCGS graded Proof 65 Red. An attractive example with fairly deep mirrors. One of the more common dates in gem full red.
Estimated Value $750-1,000.
Includes Eagle Eye Photo Seal.

Lot 1147 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1900. PCGS graded Proof 67 Red. A superb example, one of the finest graded. Moderately deep mirrors with bright frosty devices. Essentially perfect.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,500.
Includes Eagle Eye Photo Seal.

Lot 1148 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1901. PCGS graded Proof 65 Red. A beautiful deep mirror example. The obverse is high end for the grade, while the reverse could qualify for a PR67RD grade. Overall, possibly too nice for the grade assigned.
Estimated Value $750-1,000.
Includes Eagle Eye Photo Seal.

Lot 1149 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1902. PCGS graded Proof 67 Red. Another outstanding example with deep mirrors and beautiful frosty devices. Virtually perfect.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,500.
Includes Eagle Eye Photo Seal.

Lot 1150 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1902. PCGS graded Proof 65 Red. Bright undiminished mint color and boldly struck.
Estimated Value $500-750.

Lot 1151 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1903. PCGS graded Proof 67 Red. A beautiful deep mirror gem with orange peel fields. Essentially perfect. Proofs of this year were produced without any frost on the devices. The present example is known to be a very early die state due to the strength of the orange peel fields. This issue is always seen with the misplaced 0 and 3 digits in the denticles below the date.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,500.
Includes Eagle Eye Photo Seal.

Lot 1152 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1904. PCGS graded Proof 65 Red. A very attractive example. Virtually perfect surfaces with moderately deep mirrors. The grade seems a bit too harsh for a coin as nice as this. Perhaps it is because of the existence of fine die finishing lines in the field on both sides. These are typical for this issue and should not limit the grade.
Estimated Value $750-1,000.
Includes Eagle Eye Photo Seal.

Lot 1153 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1905. PCGS graded Proof 66 Red. A beautiful example with deep mirrors and frosty devices. Fine die finishing lines are present on the fields of both sides. Like many dates in the 1900's this is normal and is many time found on the earliest die state pieces.
Estimated Value $1,250-1,750.
Includes Eagle Eye Photo Seal.

Lot 1154
1906. PCGS graded Proof 67 Red. A virtually perfect example with deep mirrors and superb frosty devices. Unlike the earlier and later dates, die finishing lines are not found on this issue. One of only 3 examples graded by PCGS.
Estimated Value $3,000-4,000.
Includes Eagle Eye Photo Seal.

Lot 1155
1907. PCGS graded Proof 66 Red. An outstanding example of this very tough date. The lowest mintage date of the proof Indian Cents after 1878 with only 1,475 produced. This is a very early die state with deep mirrors with orange peel fields. With this issue when you have an early die state example, you will also find fine die finishing lines on both sides. These are typical for the issue and do not detract from the desirability of the coin or limit the grade. Die finishing lines tend to appear and disappear as the coin is turned in the light.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,000.
Includes Eagle Eye Photo Seal.

Lot 1156 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1908. PCGS graded Proof 67 Red. Essentially perfect with deep mirrors and frosty fields. This is a beautiful early die state example with orange peel fields. Light die finishing lines are visible on both sides, though not as heavy as seen on 1907 issues. Simply an outstanding example. Only 2 examples graded by PCGS. One of the finest known.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,500.
Includes Eagle Eye Photo Seal.

Lot 1157 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1908-S. PCGS graded MS-65 Red. A beautiful prooflike example with a strong strike and outstanding eye appeal. This is the popular first year of issue of cents from the San Francisco Mint. Less than ten percent of the high grade 1908-S cents are found with prooflike surfaces.
Estimated Value $800-1,200.

Lot 1158 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1908-S. PCGS graded MS-65 Red. An excellent example with a full strike and beautiful satiny luster. A very difficult coin to find in gem full red condition.
Estimated Value $800-1,200.

Lot 1159 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1909. PCGS graded Proof 65 Red. A deep mirror cameo gem. A very popular issue due to the change to the Lincoln design.
Estimated Value $750-1,000.
Includes Eagle Eye Photo Seal.

Lot 1160 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1909-S. PCGS graded MS-66 Red. An outstanding coin with beautiful soft satiny luster and full strike. A key date of the series. This is one of the finest graded examples, with only 8 coins presently graded by PCGS with one higher. The present example has the fullest feathertips ever encountered. All 1909-S Indian cents come with the detail on the first feathertip slightly weak. In fact the only 1909-S seen with full feathertips turned out to be a Philadelphia issue with the S added fraudulently.
Estimated Value $4,000-6,000.

Lot 1161 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1909-S. PCGS graded MS-65 Red. An outstanding example with a superb strike. The popular low mintage issue at the end of the series. This issue is roughly five times rarer in high grade than the highly publicized 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent, although they have a similar mintage.
Estimated Value $2,000-3,000.
Includes Eagle Eye Photo Seal.

End of The "Heathgate" Collection

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