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

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Two Cent Pieces

Lot 1446 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1864. Small motto. MS-65 Brown. The surfaces are very clean on this rare coin, and show few signs of contact even when examined with a glass. The color is a bit odd, and we note some faint hairlines suggesting that this coin was cleaned in the distant past. Now toned hues of brown and light yellow gold on both sides. Sharply struck on all but the S in TRUST. With the usual die crack through the bases of legend.
Estimated Value $600-800.
Purchased from Ira S. Reed, 2/16/45 for $22.

Lot 1447 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1864. Small motto. PCGS graded MS-64 Brown. Nearly a gem example of this popular and scarce variety, the surfaces show a couple of tick marks at the top of the shield and there are minor scattered spots. Deep brown in color on the obverse, with more original red on the reverse. Weak on the S in TRUST, and with a faint die crack through the bases of the reverse legend.
Estimated Value $500-600.
Purchased with a set 1864-1873 from J.H.N. 8/30/44 for $65.

Lot 1448 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1864. Large motto. PCGS graded Proof 64 Red and Brown. Second in rarity only to the Small Motto in Proof, the 1864 Large Motto is a rarity in its own right. Although the proof mintage is unknown, it was likely around 200 pieces, as PCGS has graded 89 according to their recent Population Report. It is likely that many have been resubmitted for grading and are reported more than once in the Report. It is obvious that this date is much harder to find in Proof than any of the later dates of the series.
This coin has a reddish glow on the devices, while the fields give some contrast with their brown colors. Free of spots or other problems. We note a minor planchet crack from the rim to the N of UNITED. A rarity that will delight the specialist.
Estimated Value $675-800.
Part of The Benson Collection purchased in the 1940's.

Lot 1449 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1864. Large motto. PCGS graded MS-65 Red. Flashy original red in color, with just a hint of mellowing in the color. Without the typical finger print, and only minor fly specks on the reverse. Perfect for the type collector or date specialist.
Estimated Value $500-600.
Purchased from Ira S. Reed, 2/26/44 for 70¢.

Lot 1450 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1865. PCGS graded MS-66 Red. This coin has a normal date, but the upper left serif of the D of UNITED is missing (common to these). Resplendent original mint red on both sides, without any signs of toning or heavy spotting. One of the very finest to survive of this date, in fact, PCGS has only graded 8 coins this high, with none graded higher. A memorable offering.
Estimated Value $1,600-2,000.
Part of the Benson Collection purchased in the 1940's.

Lot 1451 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1865. PCGS graded MS-64 Red and Brown. Fiery orange and red in color, with excellent surfaces and abundant eye appeal.
Estimated Value $180-200.
Purchased from Stack's 10/21/44 as "Proof" for $7.50.

Lot 1452 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1866. PCGS graded Proof 64 Red and Brown. With streaky toning on both sides. Always popular in Proof. No spots or other similar problems.
Estimated Value $400-500.
Part of The Benson Collection purchased in the 1940's.

Lot 1453 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1867. PCGS graded Proof 64 Red. With lovely mirror fields and a delicate haze of toning starting to form over the full red color. A couple of minute specks from perfection, noted on the reverse. One of just 625 struck in proof.
Estimated Value $650-750.
Part of The Benson Collection purchased in the 1940's.

Lot 1454
1867. PCGS graded MS-64 Red and Brown. This is probably one of the nicest 64 RB coins a collector will see. The color is virtually full red, and as to the marks, we can scarcely find any. Perhaps there are some minor handling marks on the upper devices, but the grade assigned seems rather harsh. Let's see what this one brings.
Estimated Value $180-200.
Purchased from Ira S. Reed in the 1940's.

Lot 1455 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1868. PCGS graded Proof 65 Red. Faded mint red throughout and well preserved. Clean surfaces and free of all but two tiny specks, one on each side at the bottom. A tough date to find this nice.
Estimated Value $1,400-1,600.

Lot 1456 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1868. PCGS graded Proof 64 Red and Brown. The delicate mirror fields are well preserved on this coin. We do note a bit of haze on the reverse, as well as a few very tiny raised spots. One of just 600 struck, and certainly in the top twenty percent of those.
Estimated Value $400-500.
Part of the Benson Collection purchased in the 1940's.

Lot 1457
1868. PCGS graded Proof 62 Red. This one has traces of a fingerprint, some left of the date, and others on the upper left edge on the obverse, and center of the reverse. Nice red color, and free of handling marks otherwise.
Estimated Value $275-325.

Lot 1458
1868. MS-64 Red and Brown. Mostly red in color with a few areas starting to tone down. Struck from cracked dies, as are most. Perfect for a type collector.
Estimated Value $150-200.

Lot 1459 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1869. PCGS graded Proof 65 Red and Brown. Light original toning on the obverse, with only the faintest fly specks noted. The reverse is similar, but with more haze that is often seen on these early proof issues. The delicate fields show some hairlines, but they may also be die file lines too. A rarity in this grade.
Estimated Value $650-750.
Part of The Benson Collection purchased in the 1940's.

Lot 1460 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1870. Proof 65 Red and Brown. This is a very beautiful coin, but there is a small spot at the center of the shield which has been tooled away. This is scarcely noticeable, even with a strong glass. Nice red in color and free of other problems. One to view carefully to formulate the proper bid.
Estimated Value $500-750.
Part of The Benson Collection purchased in the 1940's.

Lot 1461 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1870. PCGS graded MS-65 Red. Blazing red on the obverse, with some coppery toning just starting to form on the reverse. Well struck by the dies and certain to entice the date collector to bid high. Minor die cracks.
Estimated Value $775-900.
Purchased in the 1940s for $7.50.

Lot 1462 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1871. PCGS graded Proof 65 Red. As we now know, the preservation of these was totally subject to chance. To find an untoned (original red) example like this is something special. Only 10 have been graded this high by PCGS, with none graded higher! Expect a bidding war on this one.
Estimated Value $1,600-2,000.
Purschased from Ira S. Reed in the 1940's.

Lot 1463 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1871. PCGS graded Proof 65 Red and Brown. Lightly toned on the reverse with the familiar wood-grain colors, the obverse bright and fresh. Boldly struck, and without the usual spots or other problems. Not many are graded higher, and this coin is hard to find even in this grade.
Estimated Value $675-750.
Part of the Benson Collection purchased in the 1940's.

Lot 1464 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1872. PCGS graded Proof 65 Red and Brown. Light speckled toning, mostly on the reverse, the obverse lighter and more red in color. We note several very small specks on both sides, but not enough to measurably detract. Only 950 struck in proof, few of which can match the quality offered here. One for the date collector.
Estimated Value $650-750.
Purchased from Stack's, 10/21/44 for $11.50.

Lot 1465 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1873. Closed 3. PCGS graded Proof 66 Red. Tied with ten others as the finest graded by PCGS for the date. Outstanding quality throughout, blazing original red color with just a hint of mellowing. A few microscopic specks are noted, but they are hidden and can scarcely be seen even with a glass. Boldly impressed by the dies and superb in every way. Identifiable by a tiny planchet flake between the D and S on the reverse.
Estimated Value $3,500-4,000.
Part of The Benson Collection purchased in the 1940's.

Lot 1466 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1873. Open 3. Restrike. PCGS graded Proof 65 Red and Brown. Actually, it is not certain if this is or is not a restrike. What is known is that the date punches were changed early in the year 1873 for most United States coins, as the closed 3 design closely resembled an 8. As proofs were struck early in the year, usually January, the new date punches arrived after the closed 3 proofs had been produced. Once the open 3 punches arrived, apparently a few more were produced, perhaps even after 1873. Breen noted in his wonderful encyclopedia that the open 3 was "possibly 10 times as rare" as the closed 3. Today we have additional information from the PCGS Population Report, which shows a total of closer to 3 to 1, with the open 3 coins much rarer. This is one of just 14 so graded by PCGS, with 4 graded higher in RB, and 2 graded higher in full red. Brassy in color, with original toning and excellent surfaces. We note that the strike is full on the pales and gules, but the horizontal azure lines show some weakness at the extreme center, making this coin better struck than usual for this issue.
Estimated Value $1,650-2,000.
Part of The Benson Collection purchased in the 1940's.

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