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

(If you have a problem viewing enlarged photos, your browser may be blocking pop-up windows. Check with your IT consultant.)

Cents

Lincoln Cents

Superb Gem Proof 1909 VDB

Lot 1351 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1909. VDB. PCGS graded Proof 66 Red. One of the very finest proofs graded of this important one year type coin, only 9 have been graded as such by PCGS, with just 2 coins graded higher. The surfaces are pristine, and boast full flaming fiery red color throughout, no signs of spotting or age, only the slightest mellowing of the original color. Only 420 were struck in Proof, and precious few even qualify as gems, much less as superb gems as offered here. If you demand a pinnacle coin for your portfolio, then see if this piece suits your needs. Color photo.
Estimated Value $20,000-UP.

Lot 1352
1909. VDB. MS-65 Red and Brown. This coin is the first from a set purchased in 1944 from Ira S. Reed, the entire set (1909 to 1944) cost $90 at the time. We note the usual yellow luster with rose at the periphery. Sharply impressed by the dies.
Estimated Value $10-15.

1909-S VDB Cent Superb Gem MS-66 Red

Lot 1353 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1909-S. VDB. PCGS graded MS-66 Red. One of only 94 graded this high, with just 8 graded higher, which makes this one of the very best in existence. Blazing red on the obverse and reverse, with only a hint of mellowing. Examination of the surfaces finds only the minutest contact marks, and we wouldn't be surprised if this coin was resubmitted for a higher grade, which it could get. Only 484,000 struck, many were saved, but precious few can approach the quality offered here today.
Estimated Value $3,000-UP.

Lot 1354 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1909-S. VDB. PCGS graded MS-64 Red. The obverse of this key date coin is nearly a full gem, while the reverse has some streaky toning ranging from yellow to red, as often seen on these. Sharply impressed, and a nice coin to represent the key date Lincoln issue. Only 484,000 were struck, but many were saved as the first of their type. A trace of an old fingerprint on the obverse.
On the original models for this coin, Victor David Brenner had spelled out his name. Mint officials rejected this, so Brenner placed just his initials, VDB on the lower reverse. The White House quickly approved this, and forced the Mint to start production immediately. Naturally, the boldness of the initials worried officials, and soon the press was against the audacious signature. To attempt a compromise, the initial "B" was suggested for Lincoln's shoulder, but Mint Engraver Barber (who normally used his initial "B" to sign coins), vehemently rejected this. Soon Brenner's initials were dropped altogether, until Barber's death in late 1917. Starting in 1918, a small VDB was restored on the lower part of Lincoln's shoulder, where they remain to this day.
Once the public realized that coins with the VDB would be replaced due to the outcry of the bold initials on the lower reverse, many were hoarded. Hence, these have always been popular with collectors, and they have always found feverish demand.
Estimated Value $1,100-1,300.

Lot 1355 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1909-S. VDB. MS-64 Red and Brown. The surfaces have nice luster and are mostly red fading to brown. Sharply struck and with clean surfaces, even on Lincoln's beard. With a hint of toning around the edge. Always popular.
Estimated Value $1,200-1,500.

Lot 1356 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1909-S. VDB. PCGS graded MS-63 Red and Brown. Toned at the top and bottom of the obverse, a bit streaky on the reverse. Always popular with date collectors.
Estimated Value $600-700.

Lot 1357
1909-S. VDB. VF-30. Only 484,000 were produced, and this one is nice and original. Lovely color and surfaces for a circulated grade.
Estimated Value $400-450.

Lot 1358 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1909. PCGS graded Proof 64 Red. Nearly a gem with full original mint red, although there are traces of a fingerprint in the left obverse field. The strike is especially bold, as normal for a proof issue. Scarce this nice.
Estimated Value $675-750.

Lot 1359
1909-S. NGC graded MS-66 Red and Brown. A superb coin with saddle mint color and only a tiny speck or two on the reverse.
Estimated Value $350-450.

Lot 1360
1909-S. MS-63 Red. With a few very minor fly specks on the reverse. Nice color and surfaces, and always in demand.
Estimated Value $150-200.

Lot 1361 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1909-S. S over horizontal S. MS-65 Red. This one has bright color, and may have been carefully cleaned in the past, as the red color does not look original. The rims are unusual too, and have an irregular shape. Free of spots and other detractions, take a look and see what you think.
Estimated Value $350-450.

Lot 1362
1909-S. S over horizontal S. MS-65 Red. Blazing red throughout and well preserved with clean fields and devices. There appears to be a fingerprint on the lower obverse and upper reverse, but it is minor. Popular mintmark error.
Estimated Value $350-450.

Lot 1363
1909-S. S over horizontal S. PCGS graded MS-65 Red and Brown. One of the very best of this variety, certainly in the top 75 known. Golden red in color, and boldly struck. The error mintmark is clearly visible with a glass. An important coin for the specialist.
Estimated Value $300-400.

Lot 1364
1910. PCGS graded MS-65 Red. A very fresh example of this date. The luster glows forth from the fields, and the color ranges from rose and yellow to bright red. Sharply struck and appealing.
Estimated Value $75-100.

Lot 1365
1910-S. MS-65 Red. Shiny and bright red throughout, this looks like it was minted today. Sharp on all devices and seldom found this nice.
Estimated Value $300-400.

Lot 1366 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1910-S. PCGS graded MS-64 Red. With just a hint of toning starting to form, and possibly an old fingerprint faintly visible. Sharp and scarce in this grade. We can scarcely find a mark on this coin to account for the conservative grade.
Estimated Value $100-140.

Lot 1367
1911. PCGS graded MS-64 Red. Gleaming sunset and rose colors on both sides, with some minute darker specks included. Far better than the grade would imply.
Estimated Value $40-50.

Lot 1368
1911-D. PCGS graded MS-64 Red. A scarce date, even in this moderate grade. Excellent surfaces that show no detracting marks, and the color is especially bright. Nearly a grade better.
Estimated Value $350-450.

Lot 1369 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1911-S. PCGS graded MS-65 Red and Brown. This one is a bit dull in color, but does have rose and sunset hues around the edges. Boldly struck, and well worth a close look.
Estimated Value $150-200.

Lot 1370 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1911-S. MS-65 Red and Brown. This one may have been cleaned long ago, but now retoned with delicate rose tones and sunset golds. Another scarce early mint marked Lincoln in high grade.
Estimated Value $150-200.

Lot 1371
1912. MS-63 Red. Nice and red, with a couple of minor fingerprints on the obverse. Clean surfaces.
Estimated Value $30-50.

Lot 1372 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1912-D. PCGS graded MS-64 Red and Brown. Well struck, with a partial wire rim on the upper obverse, and with choice surfaces. There is one tiny spot on the reverse, nestled up on the C of AMERICA. Satiny luster and with mellow original red color. An impressive coin for the moderate grade.
Estimated Value $200-250.

Lot 1373 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1912-S. MS-65 Red and Brown. Probably cleaned in the distant past as the color is a bit brassy. Nice luster remains, and the fields and surfaces show very few handling marks. Well struck on the devices, save for minor weakness on the lower portions of AM in AMERICA, which is opposite Lincoln's head. Spot-free and very appealing.
Estimated Value $200-250.

Lot 1374
1913. PCGS graded MS-64 Red. Flashy original red in color, and with only a few minor specks. We note some very minor disturbances around the extreme edge of the coin, visible on both sides. A very faint fingerprint remnant is noted on the reverse, and there is a minor toning spot on the left wheat ear.
Estimated Value $65-80.

NEXT