Feb. 16, 2001, The Benson Collection Part 1, Sale 8
Lot 2750
Fr. 1355, Third Issue,
50¢, Autographed "Justice". With beautiful large signatures of Colby
and Spinner, this nice example could be just a bit better centered. Choice
Uncirculated.
Estimated Value $320-350.
Lot 2751
Fr. 1343, Third Issue,
50¢, "Justice", Autographed. Very original in every way, this good
looking note carries the real pen signatures of Colby and Spinner. Small
printer's smudge on the face and smearing on the back. Still a very nice note.
Choice Uncirculated.
Estimated Value $300-400.
Lot 2752
Fr. 1345, Third Issue,
50¢, "Justice". As fresh as the day it left the Treasury Department.
Sub-variety as the note has a"1" on left side of the face. Choice
Uncirculated.
Estimated Value $200-300.
Lot 2753
Fr. 1362, Third Issue,
50¢, "Justice". Just to be sure, we doubled checked on this lot and we
can tell you that this is Fr. 1362 and not Fr. 1366. Two pinholes keep this
note from being a Choice Uncirculated, and Almost Uncirculated would be a
crime. Uncirculated.
Estimated Value $150-200.
Lot 2754
Fr. 1357-a-SP, Third
Issue, 50¢, Fractional Currency Specimen. Taken from a Fractional
Currency Shield, this uniface specimen has the remnants of the shield on the
back. The note has a 1 inch tear from the left side center down the center of
the note. Jeffries - Spinner autographs. Fair.
Estimated Value
$50-75.
Lot 2755
Fr. 1324, Third Issue,
50¢, "Spinner". Wonderfully embossed and well centered. Delightful!
Choice Uncirculated.
Estimated Value $200-300.
Lot 2756
Fr. 1328, Third Issue,
50¢, Autographed "Spinner". Deeply embossed with bright colors and
well centered. We have noticed that the top and bottom edges are a little bit
brighter. Choice Uncirculated+.
Estimated Value $325-425.
Lot 2757
Fr. 1328, Third Issue,
50¢, "Spinner", Autographed. One of the best Fr. 1328 we have seen.
Dark autographs, centered almost perfectly. Gem Uncirculated.
Estimated Value $325-375.
Lot 2758
Fr. 1331, Third Issue,
50¢, "Spinner". Very nice note. Choice Uncirculated.
Estimated Value $150-200.
Lot 2759
Third and Fifth Issue Lot.
60¢ Face Value in Uncirculated Fractional Currency. (1) Fr. 1339,
Third Issue, 50¢ note with numerous foxing spots and (1) Fr. 1265, Fifth
Issue, 10¢ note.
Estimated Value $100-150.
Lot 2760
Fourth Issue, 10¢
Lot, Treasury Seal Plate Numbers. (1) Fr. 1259, Gem Uncirculated,
the Treasury Seal plate number "82" is inverted (1) Fr. 1259, Choice
Uncirculated, Treasury Seal plate number "18" (1) Fr. 1259, Almost
Uncirculated, Treasury Seal plate number "20" is inverted (1) Fr. 1259,
Very Fine. This is a true Fractional Currency specialist lot. Total
number of notes in lot: 4.
Estimated Value $165-195.
Lot 2761
Fr. 1374, Fourth Issue,
50¢, "Lincoln". A very popular note that has been difficult to locate
of late. Watermarked paper variety. Almost Uncirculated.
Estimated
Value $125-175.
Lot 2762
Fr. 1376, Fourth Issue,
50¢, "Stanton". Nicely centered note with outstanding colors and
embossing. Choice Uncirculated.
Estimated Value $125-150.
Lot 2763
Fourth Issue and Fifth
Issue Lot. (1) Fr. 1257, Fourth Issue, 10¢, Very Fine+ with a
number of pinholes (1) Fr. 1267, Fourth Issue, 15¢, Extra Fine (1)
Fr. 1303, Fourth Issue, 25¢, Choice Uncirculated (1) Fr. 1379,
Fourth Issue, 50¢, Choice Uncirculated (2) Fr. 1264, Fifth Issue,
10¢, Green Seal, Choice Uncirculated and Extra Fine (2) Fr.
1266, Fifth Issue, 10¢, "Short Key", Choice Uncirculated and
Extra Fine (1) Fr. 1308, Fifth Issue, 25¢, "Long Key", Very
Fine (3) Fr. 1308, Fifth Issue, 25¢, "Short Key", Extra Fine,
Almost Uncirculated, and Choice Uncirculated (2) Fr. 1381, Fifth
Issue, 50¢, Extra Fine and Almost Uncirculated. Total number
of notes: 14.
Estimated Value $425-525.
Lot 2764
Lovely Fractional Currency
Shield in Contemporary Frame with extra fancy border. No secret here,
Fractional Currency has been strong over the last few years and these beautiful
shields have dried up. Some light damage has been done to the frame's added
floral gold border (an upgrade cost ordered by the bank) and there is some
light water staining to the shield, which is typical. We want to also disclose
that the shield has an about 2-inch tear on the left side. Most of the notes
are bright and colorful. Two notes have Jeffries - Spinner autographs and just
one has the Colby - Spinner autographs. Particular scarce with this original
premium frame.
Estimated Value $3,500-4,000.
Lot 2765
Part 1 of a Large Lot of
Circulated Fractional Currency. (32) notes comprise Part 1. First Issue
5¢ notes though 4th Issue 15¢ notes are included. We recommend that
you take your time looking at this lot as it could have a few scarcer Friedberg
numbers. Very Good to Extra Fine.
Estimated Value $500-750.
Lot 2766
Part 2 of a Large Lot of
Circulated Fractional Currency. (32) notes comprise Part 2. Forth Issue
25¢ notes though 5th Issue 50¢ notes. We recommend that you take your
time looking at this lot as it could have a few scarcer Friedberg numbers.
Good to Extra Fine.
Estimated Value $350-450.
Lot 2767
Important Fractional
Currency Letter. Autograph Letter Signed. Hillhouse, Thomas ("Tho
Hillhouse") As United States Assistant Treasurer. 13 pages, quarto, New
York, May 10, 1876. On "Office of U.S. Assistant Treasurer" letterhead. To
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Charles F. Conant. Docketed on verso of
last page. Some age toning and minor soiling at edges. Very Good to
Fine. FABULOUS Content!
An absolute MUST for collectors of
U.S. fractional currency. Assistant Treasurer Hillhouse relates his
impressions to Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Conant less than six weeks
after the 1876 Act approving "the attempt to substitute silver for
fractional currency." Concerning public reaction and problems of banks and
retail establishments, possible hoarding and scarcity and actions the
government might take to alleviate these problems; "...the issue of
silver...would be a slow and tedious process. The currency did not gravitate
towards the offices of redemption, as fast as it might...The sudden withdrawal
of fractional currency from circulation, in amount far exceeding what has been
redeemed in silver, is due partly to the apprehension of a scarcity...both
fractional currency and silver soon sold here...is presumed at other points at
a premium....manifested itself in a disposition to hoard...Silver just now
being worth less than fractional currency in the standard of gold, there is no
profit in the exchange, nor other inducement except perhaps the novelty of
seeing and possessing a (to many of us) new kind of money...the dearth of small
change will be likely to increase, and the annoyance this brought on a large
class of the population, will be industriously taken advantage of by the
advocates of an irredeemable paper currency..." .
Estimated Value
$400-600.