Feb. 16, 2001, The Benson Collection Part 1, Sale 8
Lot 1942
1795. Two leaves beneath
each wing. Bolender-1, Rarity-2. PCI graded EF-40. Nice and silvery
gray in color, with darker tones around the rims. As a die variety, this makes
and excellent choice as Liberty's hair retains much of the original curls, and
the eagle also displays the feather separation for a high grade. Minor handling
marks, no adjustment marks or rim bumps (that we can see), with the usual
hairlines from gentle cleanings.
Estimated Value $3,000-3,500.
Lot 1943
1795. Two leaves beneath
each wing. Bolender-1, Rarity-2. Fine-15. Darkly toned in the
fields, lighter on the devices. There are some rim problems, including some
bumps, and the dentils are weak in certain areas, perhaps were some bumps have
been removed. A couple of minor scratches, one on the lower reverse, others in
the fields.
Estimated Value $1,250-1,500.
Lot 1944
1795. Two leaves beneath
each wing. Bolender-1, Rarity-2. PCI graded VG-8 Scratch Damage.
Scratched in the left obverse field and with a dark patina around the
devices. The rims look a bit beat up, although its hard to tell in the PCI
holder. Medium silver fields, much lighter devices. Decent enough for the type
collector.
Estimated Value $500-600.
Lot 1945
1795. Three leaves beneath
each wing. Bolender-5, Rarity-1. Sharpness of Fine-12 but repaired.
This coin has several problems, it was likely holed and repaired through
the leaves under the left side of the eagle, as that area has been reengraved
on both sides. Furthermore, there has been buffing on Liberty and in both
fields surrounding, and on the eagle and both wings, probably to remove
graffiti or scratches or perhaps a mounting for a button. A coin that should be
inspected by prospective buyers, as it has its problems, but still a filler.
Estimated Value $500-600.
Lot 1946
1795. Centered bust.
Bolender-15, BB-52, Rarity-3. ANACS graded EF-45. Light silver in
color with hints of yellow and green toning in the fields. Well struck by the
dies with most of the breast feathers sharp on the proud bird. There are a
couple of small rim ticks, and a couple of hidden adjustment marks crossing
Liberty. About as nice as these are usually found, a few more feathers on the
breast and the price starts to multiply.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
Lot 1947
1796. Small date, small
letters. Bolender-1, BB-66, Rarity-4. VG-8. A scarce variety that is
seldom found. This one is well circulated, and has a few little problems, ones
a rim file mark above the C of AMERICA, and the other are little scratches
between the eagle's leg. Darker silver toning in the fields, and lighter on the
devices.
Estimated Value $600-800.
Lot 1948
1798. Bolender-27,
Rarity-2. AU-50. Cleaned and nicely retoned to a satiny gray color,
which softens the minor hairlines. One tiny scratch on the neck, and a small
rim mark or two on the lower reverse. Boldly struck on Liberty's curls, and
very pleasing for the grade.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
Lot 1949
1799. 9 over 8.
Bolender-2, Rarity-4. PCGS graded VF-35. This is the scarcest
variety of the 1799/8 varieties. Delicate soft gray in color and with darker
tones near the devices. Well struck by the dies, and Liberty's face is a bit
lighter in tone than the surrounding areas. Clean surfaces for the grade.
Estimated Value $800-1,000.
Lot 1950
1799. Normal date.
Bolender-7a, Rarity-5. AU-50. One of the scarcer 1799 varieties that
is seldom found in choice grades. The surfaces show a few trivial hairlines
from an ancient cleaning, but these are toned over by the mottled gray toning,
some of which is fairly deep, other areas light. Sharply struck for the
variety, with full curls on Liberty and fine definition on the eagle. The
reverse toning is more organized and natural appearing, with sea green on the
lower edge periphery to medium gray at the top, with lighter silver in the
center. Several minor die cracks are noted in Bolender that are present on this
coin, especially the reverse. With bust dollars moving quickly when they appear
at market, we expect this coin to attract considerable attention.
Estimated
Value $3,000-4,000.
Lot 1951
1799. Normal date.
Bolender-7, Rarity-4. Fine-12. This one has a smoky gray tone and is
well struck. The surfaces show faint pin scratches around Liberty's face and
also on some of the reverse devices where someone tried to scratch off
something. Minor adjustment marks on the central reverse.
Estimated Value
$500-600.
Lot 1952
1799. Normal date.
Bolender-9a, BB-166, Rarity-2. PCGS graded AU-55. This is a
beautiful coin that boasts silvery gray luster and well struck devices. Further
it is enhanced by a late die state, and light cracks are visible including one
from the tenth star inner point to just touching Liberty's chin, then on into
her neck, others in the field before her face. Although Bolender calls this a
very common variety, it is scarce when found in this late die state. Only a
touch of rub on the high points. A superb type or specialists coin who needs
the variety and die state.
Estimated Value $6,000-7,000.
Lot 1953
1799. Normal date.
Bolender-10, Rarity-2. Good-5. This one has some rim marks,
including a heavy one between the star and the L of LIBERTY. All the devices
are still present, and the coin is good for a type collector.
Estimated
Value $250-300.
Lot 1954
1799. Normal date.
Bolender-11a, Rarity-3. VF-35. Medium to dark gray in color and well
struck by the dies. The reverse has a large crack extending from the D of
UNITED to the eagle's head, others branch below, and encircling cracks through
the legend. A small rim mark above TA of STATES. Scarce and popular.
Estimated Value $800-900.
Lot 1955
1799. Normal date.
Bolender-12, Rarity-3. Sharpness of VF-30 but expertly repaired.
This one has been expertly repaired in the right obverse field, probably to
remove a rubber band burn, a hint of which remains. A strong glass will reveal
parallel hairlines a bit on Liberty's face, bust and mostly in the field before
her face. Retoned and with a pleasing appearance, but obviously a coin that
needs to be inspected by buyers prior to bidding. Well struck and many would
not notice the work done on this piece.
Estimated Value $700-800.
Lot 1956
1799. Normal date.
Bolender-16b, BB-158, Rarity-2. EF-40. This coin was struck by a
shattered obverse die, several die cracks are clearly visible to the unaided
eye, and this adds lots of interest for the collector. Toned a deep brownish
gray, and well preserved. There is one small scratch on Liberty's neck, and
another below her chin. We also note a couple of small rim ticks on the
obverse, one above BE, another near her bust. Struck from clashed dies on the
reverse, with Liberty's drapery lines clear through OF.
Estimated Value
$1,200-1,400.
Lot 1957
1800. "AMERICAI".
Bolender-11, Rarity-3. PCI graded Fine-15. This one is toned a
medium steel in the fields, lighter on the devices. A bit optimistically graded
we think.
Estimated Value $450-550.
Lot 1958
1801. Bolender-3,
Rarity-3. VF-30. Scrubbed to an unnatural dullness, with rather
heavy hairlines throughout. Still well struck and a coin that can (and likely
will) be improved by retoning. This is the curious reverse die where all the
T's have no right serif at the base. A hint of luster in the fields remains.
Estimated Value $700-800.
Lot 1959
1802. 2 over 1, wide date.
Bolender-3, Rarity-3. Accugrade graded AU-58 and our grade AU-53.
Toned with dark gray colors evenly on both sides and well preserved. The
colors are probably not original, but then again very little is these days.
There is a small planchet flaw on Liberty's breast. Free of adjustment marks or
circulation problems, this popular overdate would fit nicely in a type set.
Estimated Value $3,000-3,600.