Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 13

The Benson Collection of U.S. Coins, Part 2

Large Cents

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 38		1793 Flowing Hair Cent. Chain reverse, "AMERI." in legend. . S-1. Del Bland graded Sharpness of EF-45 but burnished. In the distant past, this cent had the sharpness of around Extremely Fine but the hair has been finely tooled and the surfaces have been scraped and heavily burnished, probably by William "Billy" Sunday, a famous coin doctor. At arms length this looks like a beautiful, lustrous darkish steel brown coin and was once labeled "AU-50, 2nd Finest". Estimated Value $9,000 - 11,000. Ex: Edward A. Gilroy--Ed Milas (Gold Stella Coin Co.) 8/71. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $14,950
Lot 39		1793 Flowing Hair Cent. Chain reverse, "AMERI." in legend. . S-1. Del Bland graded Sharpness of EF-40 but tooled and burnished. Like the similar example in this sale, this cent had the sharpness of around Extremely Fine and also it has finely tooled hair and has been burnished although less severely. Remnants of light raised corrosion are visible around the peripheral areas and around the devices in the central reverse. Darkish steel brown and quite nice in appearance. Estimated Value $9,000 - 11,000. Ex: 1982 ANA (Steve Ivy Numismatic Auctions):37--unknown--Bowers and Merena 9/90:6. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 40		1793 Flowing Hair Cent. Chain reverse, "AMERI." in legend. . S-1. Del Bland graded VG-7. Somewhat sharper but from the left obverse edge and curving down through the lower curls is a shallow mark and over MER, over TE in STATES and left of O in OF are edge dents. Pleasant medium steel brown with light tan on many high points. One of the most popular varieties in the entire large cent series and in huge demand. Estimated Value $3,500 - 4,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $6,210
Lot 41		1793 Flowing Hair Cent. Chain reverse, "AMERICA" in legend. . S-3. Del Bland graded Sharpness of EF-45 but finely tooled. Like the other two repaired Chain cents in this sale, this one has the sharpness of around Extremely Fine but the hair has been finely tooled and the surfaces have been burnished with great skill again probably by William "Billy" Sunday. Except for a scratch through the left side of N in CENT, no defects are visible on this lovely appearing coin which at first glance seems nice enough to be in the Condition Census. Some collectors eschew this kind of "improvement" of a coin, others favor it highly as apparently our consignor did. Estimated Value $7,000 - 9,000. Ex: Richard Picker 12/10/54--Mrs. R. Henry Norweb--Bowers & Merena 11/84:2687. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $9,775
Lot 42		1793 Flowing Hair Cent. Chain reverse, "AMERICA" in legend. . S-4. Del Bland graded Sharpness of VF-35 but net VF-25. Small planchet defects on both sides but mostly on the reverse and a shallow circular depression in the right obverse field, a condition of manufacture. Cleaned and retoned to a medium dark steel blue color with orange around some devices and light brown on a few high points. Well struck, nicely centered with heavy obverse clash marks and no post-striking defects. Estimated Value $7,000 - 9,000. Ex: Charles J. DuPont--Stack's 9/54:4--unknown--Stack's 9/99:494. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $10,350
Lot 43		1793 Flowing Hair Cent. Chain reverse, "AMERICA" in legend. . S-3. Del Bland graded Fine-15. Several very small planchet defects on the reverse. Five points sharper but on the obverse are a couple long, hairlines scratches, on the reverse are some longer heavier ones and over T in UNITED is a light edge dent. Medium steel brown, the obverse displaying a slight wood-grain effect. A very acceptable example of this popular variety. Estimated Value $4,000 - 5,000. Ex: an S. H. Chapman F.P.L., lot 11--unknown--Stack's 5/90:98 as "EF-40". View details and enlarged photos	Realized $9,775
Lot 44		1793 Flowing Hair Cent. Wreath reverse, vine and bars edge. . S-8. Del Bland graded VF-35. Two line-like planchet defects right of the second A of AMERICA and one on the top of the left ribbon. Five points sharper but cleaned and very nicely retoned to a medium steel brown color. Marred only by a tiny edge nick left of L, a light edge dent over I in AMERICA and a thin scratch below NT of CENT. Well struck and centered with the beading on both sides very sharp. Estimated Value $3,000 - 4,000. Ex: Charles J. DuPont--Stack's 9/54:12--unknown--Stack's 9/99:496. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $6,613
Lot 45		1793 Flowing Hair Cent. Wreath reverse, vine and bars edge. . S-9. Del Bland graded VF-25. Better than VF-30 in sharpness but on the obverse are three light edge dents, another exists over O in OF, on the lower face and upper neck evidence of minor smoothing can be seen and in the field opposite the chin are a few microscopic scratches. Cleaned and very nicely retoned to a medium dark steel brown on the obverse and to a medium steel brown on the reverse, the surfaces smooth and exceptionally nice. Perfect dies. Estimated Value $3,000 - 4,000. Ex: Richard Picker 12/15/54--Mrs. R. Henry Norweb--Bowers and Merena 11/88:2692. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $5,520
Lot 46		1799 Draped Bust Cent. 9 over 8. . S-188. Del Bland graded VG-8. Sharpness of VF-30 but across the central obverse are several very long and noticeable scratches and the surfaces exhibit light roughness, some of which has been faintly burnished off. Exceptionally sharp and well centered with the date and LIBERTY unusually strong. Somewhat glossy dark olive and not really unattractive despite the problems. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500. Ex: 1955 ANA (Bebee's):17--Dr. Charles L. Ruby 12/72--Superior Stamp & Coin Co.--Superior Galleries 2/74:531--Allen F. Lovejoy--Stack's 10/82:632--Gilbert Steinberg--Superior Stamp & Coin Co., 9/96:1634. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,370
Lot 47		1803 Draped Bust Cent. . S-251. Del Bland graded EF-45. A low area through part of the right wreath and part of the denominator. Sharper by five points but cleaned and nicely retoned to a glossy darkish steel brown with traces of a reddish color round some of the devices. Estimated Value $600 - 700. Ex: Charles J. DuPont--Stack's 9/54:432--C. Douglas Smith--Ellen Enzler--Numismatic and Antiquarian Service Corporation of America 12/78:2644--Ellen Enzler--Downie-Lepczyk Auctions, Ltd., #69, 8/86:1399--Ellen Enzler--Superior Galleries 1/90:462--Ellen Enzler Herring--Superior Stamp & Coin 9/99:437. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,300
Lot 48		1820 Braided Hair Cent. MS-65 Brown. A Randall hoard example that boasts faded mint color which has turned to a lovely light brown color. A few trivial dark areas in the toning, but they are not raised or distracting. Set aside decades ago by a collector for its far above average surfaces and eye appeal, which it retains today. Well struck and downright splendid. Estimated Value $500 - 750. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 49		1821 Braided Hair Cent. . N-1. PCGS graded MS-63 Brown. Medium to dark brown on the obverse, lighter brown on the reverse with some darker highlights near the periphery. Boldly struck with full curls on Liberty and sharp stars surrounding. One old speck near the right foot of the F in OF should help trace this one. Excellent surfaces that show only faint signs of contact, and none of the usual heavy marks too often seen. A scarce date that is always in demand. Estimated Value $7,000 - 9,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $8,050
Lot 50		1822. Newcomb-5, Rarity-3. . N-5. MS-60+. Dark mahogany brown in color and very desirable as such. Minor hairlines from a cleaning, and with scattered ticks from handling. Sharply struck from lightly rusted dies, with several tiny lumps on Liberty. Perfect for the date or variety collector. Estimated Value $600 - 700. Ex: Newcomb collection according to our consignor. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $776
Lot 51		1852 Braided Hair Cent. PCGS graded MS-65 Red. Slightly faded mint red on both sides and a few minor specks too. Well struck by the dies, and in remarkably good condition considering that most of these are darkly toned, even if in the same technical grade. The 5 is recut low on the flag. Estimated Value $1,900 - 2,100. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,185
Lot 52		1852 Braided Hair Cent. . N-11. NGC graded MS-65 Brown. Medium to light brown in color with ample luster and loads of mint freshness. We note there are hints of original red adhering near the devices. Well struck and appealing. Estimated Value $400 - 500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $460
Lot 53		1844 Braided Hair Cent. Lot of 7 large cents: 1844, 1845, 1846, 1851, 1855 Upright 5's, 1856 (2). A better quality grouping free of problem coins. Coins range from Very Fine to About Uncirculated. Estimated Value $100 - 150. View details	Realized $357