Feb. 16, 2001, The Benson Collection Part 1, Sale 8
Lot 3907
1850. PCGS graded
MS-64. Nearly a gem with mint-fresh luster and well struck devices. A few
ticks on the denomination, but the surfaces are very clean.
Estimated Value
$800-900.
Lot 3908
1851-C. ANACS
graded VF-20. The ANACS grade reads "EF Details, Net VF-20,
Scratched-Cleaned". The surfaces have been cleaned, like most others of this
date. Minor surface handling marks, nothing deep or severe. A low mintage date.
Estimated Value $250-300.
Lot 3909
1853. MS-65. A
gem that boasts mint fresh luster and clean surfaces. Faint hairlines in the
fields, but they are hard to locate.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,000.
Lot 3910
1853. NGC graded
MS-64. A well struck example of this common date. Struck from clashed dies,
as are most, and boasting flashy luster in the fields.
Estimated Value
$750-800.
Lot 3911
1853. MS-60.
Estimated Value $175-225.
Lot 3912
1853. PCGS graded
AU-58. This one just misses mint state by a hair or two. Lustrous.
Estimated Value $160-180.
Lot 3913
1854. MS-60 Plus.
Nice color and surfaces, with one small tick on Liberty's cheek.
Estimated Value $200-250.
Lot 3914
1851-O to 1862. A group of
6 gold dollars. As follows: 1851-0 VF; 1852 VF (scratch); 1854 Type 2 VF;
1856 VF; 1856 Fine (bent); 1862 VF. Total of 6.
Estimated Value $500-600.
Lot 3915
1854 Type 2. AU-50.
Scarce and desirable in all grades, these type II Indians are always seen
with clashed dies, and few were preserved in full mint state. Luster in the
fields.
Estimated Value $400-450.
Lot 3916
1855 Type 2. AU-53.
Well struck by the dies and the fields retain some luster near the
lettering and devices. On the central reverse there are some minor scratches
visible with a glass.
Estimated Value $400-500.
Lot 3917
1855-C Type 2. NGC
graded AU-55. One of the better coins to survive of this date, only 10 have
been so graded by NGC, with 17 graded higher by that service. The surfaces show
some minor pitting on the obverse, and struck from lightly clashed dies.
Typical hairlines from brief circulation, and a rare coin in this grade. One
for the demanding collector who needs this rare date in high grade.
Estimated Value $5,000-6,000.
Lot 3918
1855-D Type 2.
EF-40. Here is a rare date that has a mintage of just 1,811 pieces.
This one was carefully cleaned long ago, and the surfaces have some minor marks
that should be noted, there is a faint scratch along Liberty's mouth, close to
the devices and hard to see, another touches the first A in AMERICA to the rim,
and on the reverse there is minor weakness on the 8 and above. Seldom offered
and worth careful review by date collectors who need this date.
Estimated
Value $2,500-3,000.
Lot 3919
1855-O Type 2. PCGS
graded MS-61. Sharply struck for this Mint with full details on Liberty's
head and on the upper portions of the wreath. Luster in the fields and the only
complaint are minor hairlines from handling over the decades. Only 55,000 were
coined of this important type 2 date, and just 8 have been graded as such, with
19 graded higher. A rarity that should delight the date collector.
Estimated Value $5,000-6,000.
Lot 3920
1858-D. NGC graded
MS-60. Boldly struck on both sides but with minor hairlines and a bit
abraded from handling and shipping. Only 11 graded higher by NGC, making this
one of the better ones for collectors to own. Nice luster.
Estimated Value
$7,000-8,000.
Lot 3921
1859-C. AU-58.
Well struck and preserved with hints of luster in the fields. The obverse
is nice, minor circulation marks here and there, and light hairlines. On the
reverse, the 8 in the date is a touch weak, and the wreath and other design
elements are well struck. Weakly struck on the right side of the reverse
dentils and rim. A rare date that is seldom found at all, much less in high
grade.
Estimated Value $5,000-5,500.
Lot 3922
1861. Sharpness of
EF-40 but there are rim marks. There are some marks on the rims, but the
surfaces are nice.
Estimated Value $70-100.
Lot 3923
1861-D. NGC graded
AU-58. One of the most coveted of all gold dollars because these were all
struck by the Confederacy. Two dies were shipped to Dahlonega which arrived on
January 7, 1861. No coins were struck by the Union. After the Rebels seized the
mint, an unknown quantity of gold dollars were coined using an old obverse die
from 1860, and one of the two new reverses. most of which have been lapped so
the wreath is always weak and lacking fine detail. Furthermore, the U of UNITED
is always weak, and the rim over ICA is flat. As Walter Breen says, grade by
surface, not wear or weak strike.
A few qualify as mint state according to
the services, but this is still one of the better ones known. The strike is
sharp, with the letters UNITED a bit crushed, the reverse die has been lapped
and still shows clash marks. Note that the date is full. No distracting
handling marks on either side.
We can not imagine a more historic coin from
the period, and certain to bring a well deserved price.
Estimated Value
$25,000-UP.
Lot 3924
1870. Sharpness of
MS-60 however, cleaned. The coin retains most of the original appeal
despite a cleaning. Still lustrous and sharply struck for the date.
Estimated Value $300-400.
Lot 3925
1870. NGC graded
AU-58. A few trivial surfaces marks, but nice color and strike on the
devices.
Estimated Value $450-550.
Lot 3926
1873. Open 3. PCGS
graded MS-63. Glowing luster on both sides and well struck. Several clash
marks noted on each die, and a few stray marks. Sharply struck on Liberty.
Estimated Value $450-500.
Lot 3927
1874. MS-60 Plus.
Nice color and decent surfaces for the grade.
Estimated Value $200-250.
Lot 3928
1876. AU-55.
Light hairlines, but little wear to speak of. Good color.
Estimated
Value $350-450.
Lot 3929
1880. PCGS graded
MS-65. One of the hoard dates in full gem condition. The obverse is
prooflike, while the reverse is more business like. We note a small lint mark
on the upper part of the date to the second L in DOLLAR. Frosty devices and
very clean.
Estimated Value $1,250-1,500.
Lot 3930
1881. NGC graded
MS-68 Phenomenal!. One of 12 graded this high by NGC, with none
graded higher. The coin has the appearance that it was made today. Only the
most minute signs of handling can be seen, and the luster booms from the
fields. Frosted devices and as fine as can be located of this date. If you
demand the best, then check out this lot.
Estimated Value $6,500-7,000.
Lot 3931
1886. PCGS graded
Proof 66. This is one of the finest graded, in fact, just 11 have been
graded this high by PCGS, with a single coin graded higher. Deep rose to red
toning on both sides, with deeply mirrored fields surrounding the ample
devices. Typical waviness to the planchet when examined closely, as seen on
proof gold of this era. Examination will note some minor lint marks on the
reverse, one at the top right of the wreath, another on the inside left on the
corn husk, a short one connecting the two 8s in the date. Of course, the
surfaces are pristine throughout.
Estimated Value $10,000-UP.