Feb. 16, 2001, The Benson Collection Part 1, Sale 8
Lot 1163
1856. MS-63.
The key date of the Flying Eagle series, this important coin has a mintage
estimated at just 1,500 pieces. Some were struck in Proof, others as regular
mint issues with typical uncirculated surfaces as offered here. Well struck,
including the tiny feathers on the eagle's breast and wing tips. We note one
minor edge mark near the left cotton leaf on the reverse. Choice medium brown
in color.
By 1851 the Mint was faced again with the problem that cents cost
more to produce than face value. Calculations were made that production costs
were then $1.06 per hundred. Furthermore, the public was tired of the large
cents, they often circulated at a discount to silver and gold coins, and
merchants quoted two different prices for merchandise depending on what coins
were being used for the purchase, less for copper, more for silver or gold. In
order to relieve the problem, these small copper-nickel cents were produced at
a much lower cost. The proved immediately popular with merchants and collectors
alike. One of the most desirable small cents, and always in feverish demand.
Estimated Value $5,000-6,500.
From the Howard R. Newcomb collection
of Indian Cents, purchased June 30, 1944 from J.G. Macallister.
Lot 1164
1857. PCGS graded
MS-65. A resplendent gem that boasts lovely mint color and is free of all
but the most minute contact marks. Several of the letters on the obverse show
recutting. An excellent example for the specialist.
Estimated Value
$2,500-3,500.
Purchased from Ira S. Reed on 2/26/44 for $2.50.
Lot 1165
1857. PCGS graded
MS-65. A bright and frosty coin that boasts a sharp strike and delicate
gold toning. There is a small lump noted on the upper wing of the eagle, which
will help attribute the die variety. Scarce in full gem condition, and perfect
for the advanced type collector.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,000.
Lot 1166
1857. PCGS graded
MS-64. A bright, lustrous near gem that is boldly struck and very
appealing. Splendid surfaces and nearly free of any signs of contact. If you
have been searching for a really delightful example of this three year type
coin, then look no further than this piece.
Estimated Value $750-1,000.
From the Howard R. Newcomb Collection of Indian Cents, purchased June
30, 1944 from J.G. Macallister.
Lot 1167
1857. PCGS graded
MS-64. Nearly a gem, the surfaces show few signs of contact, and the coin
has sunset gold luster in the lettering.
Estimated Value $600-700.
Lot 1168
1857. NGC graded
MS-64. This one has traces of a fingerprint on the reverse, with faded mint
color and a typical strike for the issue.
Estimated Value $500-550.
Lot 1169
1857. PCGS graded
MS-63. Nice for the grade, this one boasts mint fresh luster and excellent
surfaces. Sharply struck, even on the eagle's breast, and a few minor die
breaks are seen along the rims. The Philadelphia Mint had trouble with these
hard planchets, which were alloyed with nickel, these caused rapid die wear and
breakage.
Estimated Value $375-425.
Lot 1170
1857. Snow-9, FS1-003.
MS-60. Here is a remarkable coin. The obverse die was clashed with
the obverse of a Seated Liberty half dollar! Note the backwards outline of the
seated Liberty figure surrounding the flying eagle, her arm, pole and shin all
show. The arm holding the shield shows strongly through the centers of the
letters in AMERICA. The two dies were aligned with a medal turn (top to top).
Curiously, no seated half is known with the corresponding clash marks, and no
impression has been found of a Flying Eagle cent and Seated Half dollar
combination. This variety has long been considered a die cud variety, but it
was correctly identified by Bill Fivaz in 1977 as clashed with the seated half
dollar obverse.
The coin itself boasts mint fresh luster throughout and a
strong strike. Clean surfaces and free of all but a single tiny speck left of
the date, which will serve to identify this rarity in the future. Boldly struck
on the eagle, including the breast and wing tips, and the wreath is similarly
well made. There is a minor low area at the top of the coin, perhaps from the
clashed dies, or some other minor event in coining. A foremost rarity that will
be the highlight of an advanced collection.
How did this come about?
Research by Richard Snow authored an excellent article entitled "The Midnight
Minter" with his theory of who was responsible for this strange clashed die
combination. Snow believes it was Frederick Eckfeldt, son of George Eckfeldt,
the Foreman of the Mint. Frederick had been fired, from his employment at the
mint for stealing as a boy, but was rehired in 1857 as the night watchman. Thus
the young Eckfeldt has access to the coining presses and leftover planchets,
and any dies that happened to be in the presses at the time. Later, he even had
access to the die vault.
Soon Frederick Eckfeldt was placing mismatched dies
in the presses, and running off a few oddities, a half dollar and cent
combination as offered here, a quarter and cent mule, even a $20 gold Liberty
obverse with a cent obverse! These creations were either not taken out of the
Mint, or were retrieved and remelted. Obviously the dies clashed, much sharper
than normal because no collar could be used with the dies of mismatched sizes.
Later, Eckfeldt began striking coins for profit, and he is probably responsible
for the 1840-48 half cent proof restrikes, the 1827 quarter restrike and some
of the strange Flying Eagle patterns. Snow believes Eckfeldt is responsible for
the 1801-03 proof dollars and 1804 plain edge dollars. Soon, there was a
scandal, and Eckfeldt's coining days were reigned in.
About 10 are known in
various mint state grades, with less than 100 known in all of this important
variety. Don't expect the moderate premium to remain low on these as more and
more collectors desire an example.
Estimated Value $1,000-2,000.
Lot 1171
1857. Sharpness of
MS-60 but a few marks. Sharpness of mint state, but there is a minor
scratch near the date and some hidden mark on top of the central reverse
lettering. Nice color and appearance overall.
Estimated Value $125-175.
Lot 1172
1857. VF-30.
Natural color and surfaces.
Estimated Value $30-40.
From
"Granddad" probably from circulation a hundred or more years ago.
Lot 1173
1858. Pattern Flying Eagle
Cent. Plain edge. J-191, P-234, Rarity-7. PCGS graded Proof 63.
Struck on a slightly rough planchet, and now toned a sunset gold color.
Sharply impressed by the dies, and one of the rarer combinations made in 1858.
There is a small low spot above the 58 in the date, and another on the E of ONE
on the reverse. The mirror fields are hazy in appearance. Probably more of a
rarity-6 today with 22 graded by PCGS, this at the low end of those reported in
the population report.
Estimated Value $1,250-1,500.
Lot 1174
1858. Pattern Flying Eagle
Cent. Plain edge. J-193, P-236, Rarity-5. Proof 63. Struck on
regular issue planchets, this with the regular issue 1858 flying eagle cent
obverse, paired with a reverse that features and oak wreath with an ornate
shield above. An olive sprig and three arrows are tied in at the base of the
wreath. Toned a pinkish blue at the centers, and the fields show minor
hairlines from a past cleaning. Certainly one of the more interesting designs
proposed that year.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,250.
Lot 1175
1858. Pattern Flying Eagle
Cent. Plain edge. J-204, P-248, Rarity-5. Proof 63. This is lovely
example of the popular "skinny eagle" thought to have been designed by Anthony
Paquet. This has been deduced by Rogers Fred, Jr., who notes that the lettering
is thin, and placed in a more condensed fashion, and the eagle is awkward and
too skinny, similar to eagles seen on other Paquet medals. This one also is
paired with the oak wreath reverse, and ornate shield above. Some hairlines but
well struck and preserved otherwise.
Estimated Value $900-1,100.
Lot 1176
1858. Large letters.
PCGS graded MS-65. This is obviously a very high end coin for the
grade, the obverse is simply stunning with blazing luster and near perfect
surfaces. Similar on the reverse, with just the lightest haze and scattered
specks to note the passage of time. Rare even in the grade assigned, making
this coin a true opportunity for the date specialist. Boldly struck on all but
a small area inside the eagle's left wing and unimprovable quality for the
issue.
Estimated Value $3,000-3,500.
From the Howard R. Newcomb
collection of Indian Cents, purchased June 30, 1944 from J.G. Macallister.
Lot 1177
1858. Large letters.
PCGS graded MS-64. Fresh and original for this issue, the luster is
well preserved in the field and there are no problem marks or spots. One minor
low area near the E of ONE. Popular and short lived as a type coin.
Estimated Value $850-950.
Lot 1178
1858. Large letters.
NGC graded MS-64. This is the scarce doubled die obverse (FS#
1¢ 005.5). Not listed in Breen. The doubling is most apparent on AMERICA.
Rare and desirable as such, even beyond the normal type coin price. Flashy
luster and well struck, with just a hint of toning.
Estimated Value
$750-850.
Lot 1179
1858. Large letters.
SEGS graded MS-64. A few minor specks of toning but with faded mint
color on both sides. Sharply impressed by the dies and only a few minor signs
of handling.
Estimated Value $450-500.
Lot 1180
1858. Large letters.
MS-63. This coin boasts bright flashy luster, and delicate toning
around the periphery. However, examination will note that it has probably been
lightly cleaned, and there is a series of faint hairlines under the eagle and a
couple of minor rim ticks on the reverse.
Estimated Value $400-500.
Lot 1181
1858. Large letters.
MS-60 Plus. This one has a doubled date, it may be strike doubling
or possibly in the die. Frosty luster and well struck, with clean surfaces that
show few handling marks, just light hairlines. Always popular. There is a die
crack through the last three digits at the top, and the doubling is obvious to
the left of each digit in the date.
Estimated Value $700-800.
Lot 1182
1858. Small letters.
PCGS graded MS-64. A sparkling near-gem that boasts delicate pinkish
toning and abundant luster. Free of spots or other detriments, and impressive
in every way.
Estimated Value $800-1,000.
From the Howard R. Newcomb
collection of Indian Cents, purchased June 30, 1944 from J.G. Macallister.
Lot 1183
1858. 8 over 7. NGC
graded MS-62. A scarce overdate which seldom found in mint state. NGC has
only graded 6 this high, with 34 graded higher. The overdate is very difficult
to see. This coin has a small dark streak up from just behind the eagle's eye
into the field above, and a minor bumpy scratch through C of CENT below E.
Weakly struck on the right side through the eagle's tail and RICA, and
corresponding section of the reverse.
Estimated Value $2,700-3,200.
Lot 1184
1857, 1859, 1860, 1861,
1862, 1863 and 1864 CN. A group of Copper nickel cents, most have been
whizzed to simulate a higher grade, so inspection is mandatory. Grades range
from Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated, but should net lower due to the
whizzing. Lot of 7 coins.
Estimated Value $250-350.
Lot 1185
1857, 1858 LL, 1865, 1866
(2 pieces), 1870, 1874, 1875, 1876 (2 pieces), 1881 and 1909. An
interesting group of small cents. Grades range from Good to Very Good,
and most have been cleaned. Lot of 12 coins.
Estimated Value $100-125.