Feb. 16, 2001, The Benson Collection Part 1, Sale 8
Lot 2141
1892-S. AU-50.
A straightforward coin, the surfaces show light circulation and the fields
have hairlines. Plucked from circulation and well preserved since then. One of
the key dates to the series, and needed by many collectors.
Estimated Value
$800-1,000.
Lot 2142
1893. MS-60.
Cleaned a bit harshly at some time.
Estimated Value $150-200.
Lot 2143
1893. EF-40.
Some luster remains, nice and original appearing.
Estimated Value
$100-125.
Lot 2144
1893-CC. PCGS
graded AU-58. This coin has the appearance of mint state with full luster
and virtually no signs of wear. Typical surfaces for the issue, with tiny ticks
on both sides, none deep or distracting. A very scarce date, even in this
grade.
Estimated Value $700-800.
Lot 2145
1893-CC. VF-25.
Cleaned and retoned with a matte gray to blue hints in the fields. A rare
date.
Estimated Value $125-150.
Lot 2146
1893-CC. VF-20.
Normal wear.
Estimated Value $125-150.
Lot 2147
1893-O. PCGS graded
AU-55. Bright and without toning, this one barely circulated. Clean
surfaces and appealing.
Estimated Value $400-500.
Lot 2148
1893-O. VF-20.
Nice color and surfaces.
Estimated Value $90-110.
Lot 2149
1893-S. Good-4.
Filed on both the obverse and reverse rim, but scarcely noticeable if
placed in an album. This has the diagnostic line in the T of LIBERTY. Decidedly
rare in all grades.
Estimated Value $500-700.
Lot 2150
1894. PCGS graded
Proof 63. This lovely proof boasts delicate gold toning around the rims,
with blast white frost on the devices. A couple of trivial hairlines on
Liberty's cheek must have kept this from a higher grade. There is also a small
planchet irregularity below the right wing of the eagle.
Estimated Value
$1,500-1,700.
Lot 2151
1894. PCGS graded
AU-58. Slight wear on the curls over Liberty's ear, otherwise this coin
looks like it was just pulled from a bag. Rare in this grade.
Estimated
Value $400-500.
Lot 2152
1894. NGC graded
EF-40. Steel gray with some yellow luster near the lettering. A scarce
date.
Estimated Value $325-375.
Lot 2153
1894. VF-20.
Nice surfaces for a circulated Morgan.
Estimated Value $250-300.
Lot 2154
1894-O. AU-55.
Scuffs on Liberty's cheek.
Estimated Value $80-100.
Lot 2155
1894-O. AU-53.
Scarce as a date, but there are some marks on the lower obverse.
Estimated Value $75-100.
Lot 2156
1894-O. AU-50.
Lustrous.
Estimated Value $75-100.
Lot 2157
1894-O (3 pieces).
These grade from EF to AU. One is darkly toned, probably not
original. Lot of 3 coins.
Estimated Value $100-125.
Lot 2158
1894-S. MS-60.
A few scattered handling marks, but a tough date to find nice.
Estimated Value $275-350.
Lot 2159
1894-S. AU-58.
Nearly Mint State, and scarce.
Estimated Value $150-200.
Lot 2160
1895-O. NGC graded
MS-65 Deep Prooflike. This is one of the rarest dates in the entire Morgan
dollar series. None apparently turned up in the massive United States Treasury
holdings of the last century. Most went right into circulation at the time of
issue and stayed there. Of those graded, perhaps 150 qualify as mint state
according to both grading services. This coin is the finest graded in Prooflike
by NGC, it is tied with 1 other graded by PCGS. There are none graded higher
with prooflike or deep prooflike fields by either service. Only 3 coins have
been graded MS-66 or higher be either service, making this one of the top few
known for the date.
One can see why at a glance, the surfaces are superb,
the deep mirror fields show virtually no signs of contact with other coins, and
minor hairlines. Liberty's large cheek is pristine and close examination
reveals few signs of contact as the frost is examined closely. As always,
collectors must make up their own minds when purchasing a coin like this. There
certainly aren't many others, and one might expect this to be a Philadelphia
Mint proof at first glance. Light gold peripheral toning is noted on both sides
and the strike is, of course, extremely bold for this date. This is the die
pairing which shows the 5 slightly recut at the top on the flag.
If you have
been building a gem set of Morgan dollars and have been looking for one of the
finest graded examples of this date in existence, then purchase this lot. The
coin itself is identifiable by a tiny nick in the field near the point of the
upper beak of the eagle. Currently in NGC holder #554484-001.
Estimated
Value $150,000-175,000.
Lot 2161
1895-O. AU-50.
Lightly cleaned, and still a bit washed out in appearance. Rare.
Estimated Value $300-400.
Lot 2162
1895-O. EF-45.
Cleaned, and with typical circulation marks. Only 450,000 struck, most of
which were apparently melted.
Estimated Value $150-200.
Lot 2163
1895-O VF-25 and F-15,
with a few rim marks. Both have some toning. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated
Value $100-125.
Lot 2164
1895-S. PCGS graded
MS-64 Premium Quality. A rare coin this nice, and downright devastating (to
the wallet) any better! This one is flaming white throughout, with a strong
strike on the upper devices. Clean cheek on Liberty and only minimal scuffs.
Certainly high end for the grade. A touch of milky toning on the reverse, and a
hint of prooflike mirroring in the fields.
Estimated Value $5,000-6,000.
Lot 2165
1895-S. MS-63.
Flashy and bright, this rare date is untoned and well struck for the date.
This is further enhanced by the double punched mint mark (Breen 5640) as
pictured in his Encyclopedia. A rare date that was not represented well in the
United States Treasury hoard release of the 1960s, keeping all mint states
examples in high demand.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
Lot 2166
1895-S. MS-60 Plus.
Bright and frosty with excellent luster and surfaces. We note a couple of
tiny rim ticks above the N of UNUM, but Liberty's cheek is clean for the grade.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
Lot 2167
1895-S. PCGS graded
AU-55. The fields are prooflike and show evidence of brief circulation.
Frosty devices and completely untoned. Another scarce and popular date in all
grades.
Estimated Value $600-700.
Lot 2168
1895-S. VF-20.
Normal wear, and a rare date to locate.
Estimated Value $150-175.
Lot 2169
1895-S. PCGS graded
Fine-15. Steel gray and nice for the moderate grade.
Estimated Value
$140-160.
Lot 2170
1896-O. PCGS graded
AU-58. This is a key date that apparently did not turn up in quantities in
the Treasury hoards. Less than 1,000 have been graded in Mint State, and this
coin has the surfaces and luster of a new coin. Boldly struck and choice for
the grade.
Estimated Value $300-400.