Feb. 16, 2001, The Benson Collection Part 1, Sale 8
Lot 4121
1851. AU-53.
Yellow gold in color and sharp. Moderate to heavy bag marks throughout,
with a couple of ticks on the rims too. This one circulated for awhile, but not
long enough to wear down the hair curls.
Estimated Value $600-700.
Lot 4122
1852. NGC graded
MS-62. This one is bright and flashy, with abundant luster and clean
surfaces. Seldom found in mint state, most of these entered circulation and
stayed there for years. Not so here, this one is well struck and preserved. A
condition rarity.
Estimated Value $4,000-5,000.
Lot 4123
1853. NGC graded
MS-61. This one has the usual bagmarks expected on these heavy, soft gold
coins. After all, they jostled about in bags for years before being set aside
by collectors. Liberty's face does not have any deep marks, just light ticks. A
few scuffs in the fields, but to the naked eye the coin has a pleasing
appearance. Satiny luster throughout and well struck. A whole lot rarer than
the now "common" 1857-S twenties, thanks to the recovery of the S.S. Central
America shipwreck coins.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
Lot 4124
1853. NGC graded
AU-58. Nearly mint state but there is light wear on the upper devices and
some encrusting soap in the date and bits elsewhere from an incomplete
cleaning. This coin should be removed from the holder and properly washed off
to remove the residue. Flashy luster and well struck.
Estimated Value
$1,500-1,800.
Lot 4125
1856-S. MS-60 Plus.
This coin has been carefully cleaned, with light hairlines in the fields
(try finding one without hairlines!) Mint fresh luster remains, and Liberty's
cheek and fields are wonderfully free of bagmarks. A couple of trivial rim
ticks have been removed, but can be seen on the reeding of the coin, but not on
the edges as the coin is viewed. This is a beautiful coin that will please most
collectors.
Estimated Value $5,000-6,000.
Lot 4126
1858. NGC graded
AU-55. Flashy luster and untoned, Well struck by the dies, but with the
usual profusion of ticks on both sides.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,500.
Lot 4127
1859-S. AU-58.
Nearly new with some luster in the fields, and well struck devices. With
the usual array of handling marks from kicking around in mint bags for a time.
A scarce date in high grade.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.
Lot 4128
1861-S. MS-63.
This is a rare coin in high grade, this one is nice and fresh with blazing
luster and choice surfaces. There is a minor nick above the head, which broke
the frost, and the surfaces show few hairlines. Liberty's cheek is especially
nice, and we recommend buyers view this coin to see if they want to bid higher.
It is reportedly from an old collection, and hasn't been to the grading
services for their blessing, or curse, as the case may be. A beautiful coin
that is well preserved and appealing.
Estimated Value $15,000-UP.
Lot 4129
1862-S. NGC graded
AU-55. Moderate bagmarks from circulation, but very little wear to speak
of. Most of these type I Twenties show extensive marks from handling, the large
open fields and soft gold surfaces made them prone to bagmarks, plus these were
handled in bags, allowing the coins to jostle together. Scarce and desirable.
Estimated Value $1,250-1,750.
Lot 4130
1863-S. NGC graded
MS-60. This one never entered circulation, it just got shipped about in
bags, which caused it to get marked up a bit. To the unaided eye, it has nice
surfaces, but a glass will find the usual bagmarks which are attracted to soft
gold surfaces. Rare in full mint state, so bid accordingly.
Estimated Value
$4,000-5,000.
Lot 4131
1863-S. MS-60 Plus.
The fields have the appearance of mint state, but there may be a touch of
rub on the head. Lustrous and pleasing to the eye. Probably cleaned, as the
fields show slight roughness.
Estimated Value $4,000-5,000.
Lot 4132
1863-S. NGC graded
AU-53. With some luster in the fields and fewer marks than usually seen.
Well struck and preserved, and a popular mid Civil War date.
Estimated
Value $1,000-1,250.
Lot 4133
1863-S. PCGS graded
AU-53. Minor bagmarks, but none deep or offensive. Nice for the grade.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,250.
Lot 4134
1865-S. Brother Jonathan.
NGC graded MS-62. Here is a nice coin from the Brother Jonathan
shipwreck. The satiny luster is complete and full, and the surfaces show far
fewer marks than usually seen on a coin of this grade. Abundant eye appeal and
completely untoned. Say what you will about cleaning, curating or whatever,
this is a lovely coin that is far better than most of the other non shipwreck
survivors of any date. View it and see for yourself.
Estimated Value
$3,000-3,500.
Lot 4135
1872. AU-50.
Rather heavy bag marks on the obverse, but still flashy.
Estimated
Value $500-700.
Lot 4136
1872-S. AU-53.
There are some obverse scratches, including one near the date, but still
flashy.
Estimated Value $500-600.
Lot 4137
1873. Closed 3.
AU-58. Plenty of mint lustre still intact.
Estimated Value
$350-400.
Lot 4138
No Lot.
Lot 4139
1873. Closed 3. NGC
graded EF-40. Satiny in the fields and with clean surfaces for the grade. A
few minor reeding marks on Liberty's face, but they are worn by circulation,
and the fields show trivial hairlines.
Estimated Value $300-350.
Lot 4140
1873. Open 3.
MS-60. Light bagmarks on both sides, but scarce this nice. Well
struck and preserved.
Estimated Value $500-550.
Lot 4141
1876-CC. NGC graded
AU-55. Light bagmarks on the frosty fields, with a single tap mark near
Liberty's chin. Scarce and popular.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,200.
Lot 4142
1876-S. NGC graded
MS-62. Nicer than the moderate grade would imply, perhaps the faint
hairlines caused this to miss the choice category. Excellent luster and highly
appealing.
Estimated Value $2,000-3,000.
Lot 4143
1877-S. NGC graded
MS-60. One mark on Liberty's neck, others not as prominent.
Estimated
Value $400-450.
Lot 4144
1877-S. NGC graded
MS-60. Normal bagmarks on Liberty's face.
Estimated Value $400-450.