Feb. 16, 2001, The Benson Collection Part 1, Sale 8
Lot 1186
1858. Pattern Indian Cent.
J-208, P-253, Rarity-7. Plain edge. Proof 63. This one has lovely
antique yellow toning on both sides and clean surfaces. There are some minor
hairlines, but they are not too detracting. Abundant eye appeal, and the
obverse features the adopted 1859 Indian obverse design, combined with the thin
laurel wreath design, no shield above, and ONE CENT at the center with five
leaf clusters. A couple of trivial edge spots.
Estimated Value $900-1,100.
Lot 1187
1858. Pattern Small Cent.
Judd-212, Pollock-256, Rarity-7. Indian with broad shield. NGC graded
Proof 64. This is the regularly adopted obverse, only dated 1858, the
reverse is similar but has a broad shield at the top. Delicate brown toning
over mirror fields, and quite appealing.
Estimated Value $1,250-1,750.
Lot 1188
1859. PCGS graded
MS-65. One of the finest to survive of this important only year of issue
type coin. PCGS has only graded 74 as such of this date, with just 8 graded
higher. Examination with a glass will scarcely find any contact marks, and the
surfaces are free of all but the most minute specks. Exceptional luster and
quality for the date.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
From the Howard
R. Newcomb collection of Indian Cents, purchased June 30, 1944 from J.G.
Macallister.
Lot 1189
1859. NGC graded
MS-65. Brilliant luster in the fields and still untoned. Pristine surfaces
and a very clean cheek on Liberty, and free of any spots or similar problems.
One small low area on the M of AMERICA as struck. Rare in this state of
preservation.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
Lot 1190
1859. NGC graded
MS-65. Satiny and original with blazing luster on the obverse and well
struck, a bit more toning on the reverse. This is the first year of issue of
the Indian cent, and a beauty to boot. There is some localized weakness on the
lower wreath and below, and the Mint was still trying to figure out the best
mix of striking pressure to extend the dies life while striking these coins
well. Perfect for the advanced collector who needs this date.
Estimated
Value $1,500-2,000.
Lot 1191
1859. NGC graded
MS-64. Well struck on the central devices with full feathers on the head
dress. Satiny luster with a light wood grain tone on both sides. One tiny low
area in the field before Liberty. Some minor weakness on the rims of both
sides, as usual for this date. An important type coin.
Estimated Value
$600-700.
Lot 1192
1859. NGC graded
MS-64. Lightly toned over with most of the original mint surfaces and color
still glowing. Well struck throughout.
Estimated Value $600-700.
Lot 1193
1859. Doubled date.
Snow-1, Breen-1945, FND-001, FS-006.2. PCGS graded MS-62. Rare and
dramatic, this 1859 repunched date has proven to be one of the truly impossible
to locate rarities in all grades. Only a few are known in mint state, including
the gem MS-65 Finest Known which is also offered in this sale. This was first
discovered by Walter Breen in 1953, and suprisingly few have come to light
since then. In fact, only 15 have been found with three reported in mint state.
This is one of those three, and if you missed out on the lovely gem MS-65, then
here is a wonderful coin that has been put away for more than a decade, and
only sent once to the grading service!
Flashy luster and well struck, the
double date feature is bold. A few scattered handling marks, but nothing worthy
of note. No spots or other problems, and an outstanding coin for the variety
specialist.
Estimated Value $2,000-UP.
Lot 1194
1859. MS-60.
This one appears to have been lightly cleaned at some time in the distant
past. Frosty luster and well struck.
Estimated Value $125-150.
Purchased 3/31/44 from Macallister for $2.50.
Lot 1195
1860. Rounded bust.
PCGS graded MS-65. Here is a true gem that boasts mint fresh color
and undiminished surfaces. Free of spots or other problems which often mar
these uncirculated pieces. With rosy copper color that is usually found on
later copper issues. Another scarce date in gem.
Estimated Value $700-900.
From the Howard R. Newcomb collection of Indian Cents, purchased June
30, 1944 from J.G. Macallister.
Lot 1196
1861 Confederate Cent,
Copper Restrike. PCGS graded Proof 64 Brown. The origin of the
Confederate cent is as follows: in 1861 an official of the Confederate States
of America contacted the jewelry firm of Bailey & Co (later Bailey, Banks and
Biddle) and requested a die cutter who could make a C.S.A. cent. Robert Lovett,
Jr. was selected, and he was a logical choice, as he had extensive experience
with die engraving. Lovett employed the head of Minerva, which he had used on
an earlier one cent sized token from 1860, and employed a wreath of distinctive
Southern agricultural products, including a bale of cotton at the bottom.
Lovett struck twelve coins with his dies, employing the then current
Union alloy of copper and nickel used on Indian cents. Lovett soon had
second thoughts, and fearing arrest by Union authorities for aiding the
Confederates, he canceled the project and concealed the dies and dozen
coins.
After the war ended, Lovett took one of the coins and used it as a
pocket piece. One day in 1873, Lovett accidently spent the Confederate cent at
a Philadelphia bar. The barkeep recognized the piece as unusual and showed the
coin to a numismatist friend. Or so the story goes. In any event, Edward Maris,
a prominent Philadelphia collector learned of the coin and its source. Maris
contacted Lovett and purchased not only the other coins, but the dies
too.
Soon Capt. John W. Hazeltine and his associate J. Colvin Randall
learned of the coins and dies, and procured them from Maris or possibly from
Lovett (if Maris hadn't purchased the dies). A plan was hatched to coin
restrikes, and Peter Kinder (a medalist and die sinker) of Philadelphia was
engaged for this purpose. A pamphlet was produced which stated that seven gold,
twelve silver and 55 copper restrikes had been made, with the dies breaking on
the 55th copper strike. No copper nickel restrikes were made to preserve the
integrity of the original dozen coined by Lovett.
In 1961 Robert Bashlow, a
New York entrepreneur took the rusted and broken dies and had copies made by
the transfer process. These pieces have irregular surfaces, and are quite
unlike the 1874 restrikes. Our thanks to Bowers and Merena (Eliasberg II) for
the above.
PCGS has only graded this example and one other (EF-40) of this
important issue. Perhaps the others are tied up in collections, or simply
haven't been graded as of yet. The surfaces show a few minute spots, and there
is one small low area in the field below ES of STATES. About twenty percent of
the original mint red can be seen in the lettering and devices. Beautiful in
color and a gem in surface quality, which is simply amazing for a coin of such
importance.
Estimated Value $7,500-UP.
Ex: Ira S. Reed 7/28/45 for
$50.
Lot 1197
1861. PCGS graded
MS-66. One of the best to survive of the date, the current PCGS Population
Report shows just 24 so graded with only 9 graded higher. The surfaces and
color are outstanding and needless to say, very original. Boldly struck and
unimprovable quality.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,250.
From the Howard
R. Newcomb collection of Indian Cents, purchased June 30, 1944 from J.G.
Macallister.
Lot 1198
1862. NGC graded
Proof 67 "Starr". This coin is from the famous Floyd T. Starr sale
(Stack's) and the pedigree is noted on the NGC insert. The surfaces are simply
stunning, completely free of contact marks or spots, even a glass fails to note
more than the most trivial signs of contact. Frosted on the obverse devices,
with excellent contrast for the issue, the reverse has developed a hint of haze
in the fields around the devices. Only 550 struck in proof, this is one of the
finest of those, NGC has only graded 4 coins this high, including this coin,
and PCGS has only graded one coin this high. There are no coins graded higher.
A magnificent specimen for the advanced collector to lock away and never need
to upgrade.
Estimated Value $5,000-6,000.
Lot 1199
1862. PCGS graded
MS-64. With just a hint of toning starting to form, well preserved and
nearly a gem.
Estimated Value $175-225.
From the Howard R. Newcomb
collection of Indian Cents, purchased June 30, 1944 from J.G. Macallister.
Lot 1200
1862 and 1863. The
1862 grades Extremely Fine 45, while the 1863 grades MS-60. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value $100-150.
Lot 1201
1863. PCGS graded
MS-64. Fresh and original, with abundant tan luster and well struck
devices.
Estimated Value $175-225.
From the Howard R. Newcomb
collection of Indian Cents, purchased June 30, 1944 from J.G. Macallister.
Lot 1202
1863. AU-55.
This one was lightly cleaned a long time ago, now retoned with rose and tan
highlights.
Estimated Value $40-50.
Lot 1203
1864. Pattern Cent. Copper
with some aluminum, plain edge. Judd-353, Pollack-425, Rarity-5. PCGS
graded Proof 65. The Philadelphia Mint was looking for a substitute for the
alloy used in making cents. Nickel was found to be expensive and hard to work
with. This coin is an example of a ratio of 13 parts copper alloy combined with
one part of aluminum. This combination gave the coins a gold color, and the
metal was very hard, making full strikes difficult, if not impossible to
obtain. In the recent PCGS Population Report, we note this coin is tied with 2
others for the finest graded of 9 seen in Proof. Gem surfaces throughout, with
lovely mint color and only a hint of delicate toning. Regular dies (no L) for
1864. Boldly and completely struck, with full device details throughout.
Although Judd notes that striking these was difficult as the aluminum alloy
made the coin very hard, this one is perfectly struck.
Later in April 1864,
the alloy of .95 copper to .05 tin and zinc was adapted and nickel was no
longer used in cent production as an alloy, and the use of aluminum as an alloy
was put back on the experimental shelf.
Estimated Value $2,500-UP.
Ex: Ira S. Reed, 4/27/45 at $12.50.
Lot 1204
1864. Pattern Cent. J-355,
P-425, Rarity-5. Superb! PCGS graded MS-67. This is one of the
prettiest patterns in the sale. Glowing yellow surfaces that boast near perfect
fields and devices. A curious pattern issue, the bronze was alloyed with
aluminum (either five percent aluminum, 7.1 percent or ten percent, it is
impossible to tell from looking at the coins). A few minor streaks on the lower
obverse, and struck from clashed dies. This is the only, and finest, example of
this pattern graded by PCGS, perhaps it is far rarer than indicated? Probably
so.
Estimated Value $3,500-4,000.
Lot 1205
1864. Copper-nickel.
PCGS graded MS-63. A touch of weakness on STATES as struck as the
Mint struggled to coin these very hard nickel and copper alloy cents. Within a
few months after this one was coined, a softer French bronze was used for
planchets, which extended die life and reduced the needed striking pressure to
bring up the design. We note a few minor specks on both sides.
Estimated
Value $125-150.
From the Howard R. Newcomb collection of Indian Cents,
purchased June 30, 1944 from J.G. Macallister.
Lot 1206
1864. Bronze, no "L".
PCGS graded Proof 64 Red and Brown. With an estimated mintage of
only 150 coins, all of these are rare. Mostly red, with just a bit of brown
toning starting to settle in. Boldly impressed, and a delightful example of
this early proof issue.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
Purchased from
Ira S. Reed 3/30/46 for $20.
Lot 1207
1864. Bronze, no "L".
PCGS graded MS-66 Red. One of the finest seen of this date, with
only 22 so graded by PCGS, and only a single coin graded higher. For the
serious numismatist that demands the absolute purest quality, then buy this
coin. One shadow of a tiny spot at the top of the obverse, and another nearby
hidden in the dentils. Struck from clashed dies with hints of the wreath before
Liberty's face and with feathers visible at the end of ONE. Superb surfaces
which show no significant, or even minor contact marks. An opportunity to lock
away an early date in magnificent condition.
Estimated Value $1,200-1,500.
Lot 1208
1864. Bronze, no "L".
MS-66 Red. A blazing original coin that shows just a hint of rose
toning on the left obverse. Free of spots or other detriments, this coin will
certainly appeal to most date collectors who need a real show piece for their
date sets.
Estimated Value $200-300.
From the Howard R. Newcomb
collection of Indian Cents, purchased June 30, 1944 from J.G. Macallister.
Lot 1209
1864. Bronze, no "L".
PCGS graded MS-64 Red. Mostly red with just a faint overlay of wood
grain toning starting to form. The reverse die was rotated about 45 degrees
counter clockwise when this one was struck. An impressive coin.
Estimated
Value $175-200.
Lot 1210
1864. Bronze, with "L".
NGC graded MS-66 Brown. A nice coin for the advanced collector, this
one has a die crack up through the 6 in the date to Liberty. Some faded mint
red on the obverse, but mostly a pleasant brown color, similar on the reverse.
A key date, few were struck with the "L" on the ribbon, and precious few are
this well preserved. Nearly perfect surfaces.
Estimated Value $750-850.
Lot 1211
1864. Bronze, with "L".
MS-65 Red. Full blazing red on both sides, but there is a small
carbon spot just above NE of ONE on the reverse. This spot may be removable by
an expert, but don't practice on a coin like this! James B. Longacre finally
was allowed to put his initial on his handiwork, and the master obverse hub now
included his initial "L" on the ribbon just underneath the last feather. The
other change on the hub is the pointed bust on Liberty, as compared with the
previous rounded bust tip on previous issues.
Although the mintage is
unknown for the with "L" variety, it made up only a fraction of the years
total. Always in high demand by date collectors, the "L" variety Indian Cent is
one of the more challenging coins to locate in high grade of the
series.
This coin is an excellent example of what can happen over time when
a microscopic piece of foreign matter adheres to the surfaces. Over the span of
years a toning spot appears and spreads to the surrounding areas. If caught in
time, the spot can be removed easily, if more time passes the spot gets harder
to remove as it gets deeper into the surface of the coin. Eventually, the spot
would be permanent, and could not be removed without damaging the surface of
the coin. Such work requires an expert, and countless coins have been ruined by
careless cleaning or by someone removing a spot with a needle or other sharp
instrument, which scratches the coins surface. The best advice on such matters
is leave it to the experts.
Estimated Value $400-UP.
From the Howard
R. Newcomb collection of Indian Cents, purchased June 30, 1944 from J.G.
Macallister.
Lot 1212
1864. Bronze, with "L".
AU-55. The date shows recutting on the 86, and the reverse die was
rotated 180 degrees from normal. Cleaned to an unnatural brightness, but could
be retoned by someone good at such things. Flashy and well struck from a late
die state.
Estimated Value $125-175.
Lot 1213
1864. Bronze, with "L".
Fine-12. Medium brown and well preserved.
Estimated Value
$50-65.
Lot 1214
1864. Bronze, with "L",
Struck forty percent off-center. VG-8. Medium brown in color, and
struck off-center towards 11 pm on the obverse. Full date, but there are
several unfortunate scratches around the date and on the reverse. Full face on
Liberty.
Estimated Value $300-400.