Feb. 16, 2001, The Benson Collection Part 1, Sale 8
Lot 1670
1916. MS-65 Nearly
A Full Head. Here is the key date to the series, aside from the overdate
issue. The head is well struck, but not quite full, same with the shield, which
is only weak on a couple of the bosses (the pellets surrounding the shield).
Toned with speckled gold over the satiny luster peculiar to the 1916-17 issues.
One curious weak area on the obverse is the stars near Liberty's leg. The
toning is somewhat distracting on the obverse, nicer and lighter on the reverse
with just minor flecks of color near the lettering and devices. Well struck on
the eagle, and the fields show decidedly few marks from handling. We expect a
lot of action when this coin crosses the block.
Estimated Value
$12,000-15,000.
Lot 1671
1916. PCGS graded
MS-63 Premium Quality. A lovely choice example of this rare date, only
52,000 were struck and most are found in low grades today. This one has a
partial head on Liberty, one that is not quite fully struck. Nevertheless, the
surfaces are fresh with mint luster, and the coin boasts a hint of golden
toning starting to form. The key date to the series, and ever popular with
specialists.
Estimated Value $7,000-8,000.
Lot 1672
1917. Type 1. PCGS
graded MS-67 Full Head. With this coin we begin a magnificent and memorable
set of Standing Liberty Quarters. Each coin was carefully selected for
outstanding quality and mint fresh luster. Bagmarks are few and far between,
and this set is clearly one of the very finest to have ever been assembled of
this, one of our most beautiful coins ever struck.
This is tied for the
finest graded of the date by PCGS, only 31 have been rated as such by that
service. One tiny tick mark is noted on Liberty's neck, and the surfaces exude
the abundant satiny luster seen on silver coinage of this date. Both sides have
light gold toning and the strike, of course, is full and complete on Liberty's
head and her shield. Unimprovable quality for the date.
Estimated Value
$3,200-3,700.
Lot 1673
1917. Type 1. PCGS
graded MS-64 Full Head. Bright and lustrous with abundant appeal and
virtually free of contact marks. Surprisingly inexpensive in this grade.
Estimated Value $250-300.
Lot 1674
1917. Type 1. MS-64
Full Head. Boldly struck and with a single tick mark on Liberty's breast.
Flashy luster and completely white.
Estimated Value $200-250.
Lot 1675
1917. Type 1. MS-64
Full Head. This one has delicate gold toning on both sides, and remains
lustrous.
Estimated Value $200-250.
Lot 1676
1917. Type 1. PCGS
graded MS-63 Full Head. This one is bright and well struck with the
fullness that makes this such a beautiful design. Satiny luster and enhanced by
a delicate golden tone. Certainly the appearance of a higher grade, and one
that will probably be resubmitted.
Estimated Value $175-200.
Lot 1677
1917. Type 1. PCGS
graded MS-63. Sparkling with luster and subdued by a faint rose pink blush
of color. Sharply struck and boasting the peculiar luster seen on 1916-17
silver coinage.
Estimated Value $175-200.
Lot 1678
1917. Type 1.
AU-58. Just a touch of rub and satiny. Untoned.
Estimated Value
$100-120.
Lot 1679
1917-D. Type 1.
PCGS graded MS-67 Full Head. Stunning quality for the date! The
surfaces are simply pristine, nary a mark to be found even under the scrutiny
of a 10X glass and strong light. Boldly struck, even on the highest points of
Liberty's head and her shield. As to the luster, it is ablaze with snowy white.
No signs of toning on this one, just acres of satiny white luster undiminished
by time or trial. PCGS has only graded 6 coins this high, and of course, there
are none graded higher.
Estimated Value $6,000-7,000.
Lot 1680
1917-S. Type 1.
PCGS graded MS-67 Full Head. Wow, this coin is impeccable, the
surfaces nudge perfection back another notch, they are so superb! All is
delicately toned with light gold shades, which completely fail to diminish the
blazing luster. As to the strike, it is as complete as can be imagined. Full
head on Liberty fails to encompass the shield and other design elements, which
are each crisp and complete. Certainly one of the very finest known of the
date, with just 4 graded this high by PCGS, with none graded higher. Keep that
in mind when formulating your bid.
Estimated Value $6,000-7,000.
Lot 1681
1918. PCGS graded
MS-65 Full Head. This one is lightly toned with gold near the edges and
frosty white at the centers. Only a couple of trivial ticks from perfection,
two on Liberty's right leg near her knee and another near the fifth star
counting up on the left. On the reverse, a single hidden tick is noted on a
feather tip. Hard to believe this coin is only called MS-65. Two of the shield
bosses (the little round bullets that surround the shield) are weak. A beauty.
Estimated Value $900-1,100.
Lot 1682
1918-D. NGC graded
MS-66. Flashy luster but slightly weak on the head, although the leaves
show a bit of separation at the top. Superb fields which show almost no
handling marks whatsoever. Die crack through the upper date and D of UNITED.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
Lot 1683
1918-D. PCGS graded
MS-64 Full Head. Here is a tough date in high grade, especially with the
full head. Only slight weakness on the shield and central portions of Liberty.
Satiny luster graced by a delicate gold tone on the edge. Just 42 graded
higher, and 64 graded this high.
Estimated Value $1,200-1,500.
Lot 1684
1918-S. 8 over 7.
PCGS graded MS-64 Premium Quality. Here is the key date to the
series, discovered in 1937 long after most had entered circulation. Searching
has turned up a few in mint state, but this date remains very rare in all
grades. Apparently the crush was on in late 1917 to produce lots of quarters.
Anthony Comstock and his cohorts had forced the mints to change the original
MacNeil design of a bare breasted Liberty by covering over her with a chain
mail top. Philadelphia had to produce new master hubs, barely in time to get
new dies shipped to Denver and San Francisco, further dies had to be produced
for 1918, which were made late in 1917 for shipment to the branch mints.
Apparently one die was first struck by the 1917 hub, then somehow mixed back in
with the dies and received a second blow from the 1918 hub, creating the
overdate.
This one has lovely rose gold toning over very lustrous surfaces.
A few minor hairlines are noted on both sides. The strike is better than
usually seen with more than half of Liberty's head showing. A couple of the
bosses (the little shield bullets) are weak, as always. Bold overdate, with the
7 very clear beneath the 8. As to the PCGS Population Report, only 19 have been
graded as such, with an additional 5 with a full head. Only 7 coins have been
graded technically higher, none of which have a full head. Pretty meager
pickin's if you want a high grade example of this date. We urge specialists to
view this lovely example, and expect to pay a premium for its sparkling luster
and delicate toning. This is truly the king of the series.
Estimated Value
$25,000-UP.
Lot 1685
1919-D. PCGS graded
MS-64 Full Head. Here is one of the really tough dates to locate in high
grade. Denver, usually known for better strikes, must have turned down the
striking pressure a bit to extend die life. Hence, few 1919-D quarters are
found with a full head. This one doesn't have the die cracking mountains on
Liberty's fine details, and two upper bosses are slightly weak on the shield,
but this is much better than usual for the date. The leaves are fully outlined
and the luster is outstanding. No signs of hairlines or other detriments, even
the bagmarks are tiny and widely scattered, none worthy of note. Light gold
toning on near the edges, and extremely appealing for the date. PCGS reports
only 14 graded this high with the full head, and 13 graded higher for the date.
Much more common with the weaker strike, but that was not the focus in this
collection, which boasts full strikes and superb luster and color.
Estimated Value $6,500-7,500.
Lot 1686
1919-S. PCGS graded
MS-64 Full Head. Another rarity in the series, the 1919-S suffers from weak
strikes just like the 1919-D. From among the many, this coin remains one of the
very finest of the date. Fully struck on Liberty's head and even the two
normally flat bosses on the shield are clear and defined with only slight
weakness on them. Even the horizontal shield lines on Liberty's tiny inset
shield are visible. All is toned a delicate lilac rose over dancing luster.
After examining this coin very carefully we are mystified why it was graded so
moderately. Where are the bagmarks? What about hairlines? Neither are present,
the quality of the surfaces is amazing, and must be seen to be appreciated. We
would expect this coin to be graded higher in the future, and recommend it
heartily. PCGS notes just 15 graded this high, with 14 graded higher in the
full head category.
Estimated Value $7,000-9,000.