Feb. 16, 2001, The Benson Collection Part 1, Sale 8
Lot 3893
1838 Pattern Half Dollar,
silver, reeded edge. Judd-72, Rarity-6. NGC graded Proof 65. The
Kneass design with a draped bust of Liberty with a ponderous diadem and ribbon,
the reverse by Gobrecht with an eagle with outspread wings. Medal die
alignment. Dark somber gray tones on both sides, and the fields clean save for
hidden hairlines lurking beneath. Sharply struck and clean on Liberty's face,
the fields also clean save for a couple of trivial contact marks. An early
Proof pattern and which is rare in full gem condition, with only 3 graded this
high by NGC, and 1 graded higher.
Estimated Value $5,000-6,000.
Lot 3894
1859 Pattern Half Dollar,
silver, reeded edge. Judd-239, Pollock-295, Rarity-5. PCGS graded Proof
63. The obverse design is by James B. Longacre, and was called the "French
Head of Liberty" by the neighborhood druggist R. Coulton Davis (famous for
keeping the Mint employees doped up on laudanum in trade for various special
patterns and coins) and coupled with a lovely reverse design by Anthony C.
Pacquet (according to James Ross Snowden, laudanum imbiber). Deeply toned with
gunmetal gray, rose and deep blue splashed on the devices. Nice cheek on
Liberty's cheek.
Estimated Value $1,400-1,600.
Lot 3895
1859 Pattern Half Dollar,
copper, reeded edge. Judd-240, P-296, Rarity-5. PCGS graded Proof 64
Brown. This one boasts a bust of Liberty facing right, with an oak and vine
wreath in her hair, and a scroll inscribed LIBERTY across her right shoulder.
On the reverse is a complex wreath with 1/2 DOLLAR at the center. Deep mahogony
color on both sides and nearly a gem. Only 4 so graded by PCGS in the brown
category, none higher until you move into the Red and Brown and Red arena,
where a handful do grade full gem.
Estimated Value $1,700-2,200.
Lot 3896
1862 Pattern Eagle,
copper, gilt, reeded edge. Judd-297, P-355, Rarity 6 to 7. NGC graded
Proof 62. This is the regular dies obverse, with the similar reverse except
for the addition of the motto GOD OUR TRUST above the eagle. Identifiable by a
small nick on Liberty's nose. A beautiful pattern issue. Some light handling
marks, but problem free otherwise.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
Lot 3897
1863 Pattern Two Cent
Piece, copper or bronze, plain edge. Judd-305, P-370, Rarity-4. PCGS
graded Proof 64 Red and Brown. Struck with the familiar Washington obverse
with the motto "GOD AND OUR COUNTRY" above, the date 1863 below. On the
reverse, the denomination 2 CENTS at the center, with CENTS markedly curved, a
wreath of wheat, and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around. Lightly toned on the
obverse, more toning on the reverse. One small spot on the R of COUNTRY.
Estimated Value $1,250-1,500.
Lot 3898
1866 Pattern Nickel,
nickel, plain edge. Judd-470, P-562, Rarity-6. PCGS graded Proof 65.
The obverse has the head of Washington, with the motto IN GOD WE TRUST
above, date below; on the reverse is a large 5, surrounded by a large laurel
wreath, and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Lightly toned and well preserved, this
one is scarce in gem condition, with only five graded this high and two better.
Hazy nickel toning on both sides, giving the coin a bit of a dull appearance.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
Lot 3899
1866 Pattern Nickel,
copper, plain edge. Judd-490, Pollock-578, Rarity-6. SEGS graded Proof
63. Similar to the regular die, but the date is separated by the shield
ball, the reverse is a poorly executed wreath, with long berry stems and
distant leaves, with a large 5 at the center. Deep red toning with blue around
the periphery, and minor hairlines in the fields. SEGS says 54.4 grains in
weight.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
Lot 3900
1866 Pattern Nickel,
bronze, plain edge, regular dies of 1867 without rays. J-509, Rarity-6.
Proof 65 Red and Brown. A beautiful pattern issue, the fiery red
shades with hints of yellow near the lettering. Examination will find some
minor specks, nothing deep or problematic though. The color ranges from red to
pink, and there is a long fin around most of the edge.
Estimated Value
$2,700-3,200.
Lot 3901
1869 Pattern Half Dollar,
standard silver, reeded edge. Judd-748, P-831, Rarity-5. Proof 63.
Always popular with collectors, the obverse rendition of Liberty is quite
beautiful, while the reverse wreath of laurel and oak is finely rendered.
Seldom offered.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
With an old flip
marked "AW-745, and $55."
Lot 3902
1870 Pattern Half Dollar,
Standard Silver, plain edge. Judd-964, P-1060, Rarity-7. PCGS graded
Proof 64. Choice antique gray toning on both sides. The devices are crisp
and complete in their detail, and the surfaces show few signs of handling or
hairlines. PCGS has only graded 3 examples of this pattern, this is the finest
seen, and there are two in lower grades. An undervalued rarity that has proven
to be far more difficult to locate than Judd's Rarity-6 rating, Pollock changed
it to Rarity-7, and it may be at the high end of that rating. The die alignment
is about 170 degrees, so this may be the Stack's March 1973 : lot 356 coin as
noted in Pollock. An extremely rare coin that is possibly the very finest known
as NGC hasn't graded any of this pattern variety.
Estimated Value
$1,200-1,500.
Lot 3903
1875 Pattern Twenty Cent
Piece. Judd-1404, Pollock-1547, Rarity-6 to 7. PCGS graded Proof 65 Red
and Brown. Copper, plain edge. This is one of the two finest graded
of this pattern issue, and one of just 2 so graded by PCGS. A few others are
graded in the Brown category. Mellowed mint red in color with gorgeous colors
and well struck devices throughout. Minor hairlines can be seen in the fields,
as always. An important and rare pattern, only a handful of these twenty cent
patterns were produced, and they always are popular with collectors. The
sidewheeler steams in the distance as Liberty looks on, no doubt wondering
which way the wind does blow. As Q. David Bowers first noted, the sails are
billowing in one direction, while the ships flag and smoke go the opposite
direction. William Barber had spent too many days inside the Mint, and not
enough time down on the docks! An opportunity.
Estimated Value
$3,000-4,000.
Lot 3904
1881 Pattern Three Cent
Piece, copper, plain edge. Judd-1669, P-1870, Rarity-7. PCGS graded
Proof 64 Red and Brown. This pattern boasts a curious population according
to PCGS, there are 9 graded as PR-64 Red and Brown, with none graded higher or
lower. The obverse design employs the head seen on the later Liberty head
nickel, while the reverse uses a wreath of corn, cotton and wheat. Mostly red,
with some light toning on both sides. A few minor specks are noted.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
Lot 3905
1882 Pattern Nickel.
Judd-1684, P-1886, Rarity-6. PCGS graded Proof 65. Superbly toned
and well preserved. Pristine surfaces and very appealing. Similar to the
adopted design, but the wreath is broader and the legends and devices reversed.
One of only 7 graded this high, with none better.
Estimated Value
$2,000-3,000.
Lot 3906
1883 Pattern Nickel, plain
edge. Judd-1708, Pollock-1912, Rarity-7. PCGS graded Proof 66. A
magnificent coin that boasts enticing blue toning around the edges and rose
gold at the centers. Perfectly struck and preserved, with clean surfaces and
devices. The obverse is the Liberty nickel head of issue, with UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA around, on the reverse we see a complex wreath of wheat, cotton and
corn, with 75 N. and 25 C at the center, FIVE above and CENTS below, the
central device refers to the three quarters nickel to one quarter copper in the
alloy. Deep mirror fields and superb colors. Only 2 graded by PCGS, this coin
and one graded lower, making this likely the finest known of this extremely
rare pattern issue.
Estimated Value $3,000-3,500.