Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 13

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

$2.50 Gold

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1881		1796 $2.50 Capped Bust. No stars on obverse. PCGS graded AU-53. A lovely example from the famous Harry Bass, Jr. Collection. The cameo obverse design was quickly abandoned as the devices wore after just limited circulation, this caused by the open fields. Once stars were added later in 1796, the central devices wore more slowly. On this particular coin the curls on Liberty show some definition, and as nearly always seen the E of LIBERTY is weak (as it was opposite the eagle's tail). On the reverse there is an old scrape across the eagle's breast, and a few other minor imperfections from circulation and handling. Perhaps 100 are known of the original 963 struck, and this one is likely in the top half or even higher. PCGS has graded 8 as such, with 44 as AU-55 and AU-58 combined, and only 3 graded as Mint State above. An important type coin as these were only struck in the early part of 1796, and they are the first quarter eagles issued by the United States. Always in high demand by collectors. Estimated Value $40,000 - 50,000. From Bowers & Merena's Harry Bass, Jr., collection Sale, October 1999, lot 262; earlier from Glendening's sale of October, 1970, lot 884. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $48,300
Lot 1882		1806 $2.50 Capped Bust. 6 over 4. NGC graded MS-63. Here is one finest graded of this date and variety! NGC has only graded 2 this high, with none graded higher. Further, PCGS has not graded any higher than MS-62, confirming that this is likely one of the best to survive. The obverse has minor adjustment marks which are present in Liberty's hair, and the reverse strike is somewhat weak at the center (typical of the issue). Minor hairlines can be seen in the prooflike and delicate fields. Sharp on the stars and other peripheral devices. We note a minor planchet flake left of the O in OF and a tiny lint mark in the field just in front of Liberty's uppermost curl above her forehead. This one is a fairly early die state with a faint crack through the tops of LIBERTY and a hint of a crack in the left obverse stars. A foremost rarity in this grade, and worthy of the finest quarter eagle collection. Estimated Value $60,000 - 80,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1883		1806 $2.50 Capped Bust. 6 over 5. NGC graded MS-63. Rich golden color combines with the original mint luster to create a visually appealing example of this extremely rare coin. PCGS has not graded any as high as MS-60 as of yet, while NGC has graded 4 in grades below this one, but this is the sole MS-63 graded, and of course, there are none graded higher. One must conclude that this is the finest graded, and quite possibly the finest known of this extremely rare date. It has long been reported that only 480 of these were coined, and with a survival rate of less than 5 percent, perhaps 25 have survived in all grades. Both NGC and PCGS have each graded 9 examples of this rare coin, for a total of 18 between them, and given some likely duplication, the actual number could be closer to 12 to 15. This die pairing has a unique feature, both dies were used to coin 1805 quarter eagles, then when the new year rolled around, some attentive engraver took the obverse die off the shelf, punched in a large 6 over the 5, and started coining more quarter eagles! The dies are quickly identifiable by a long dentil just below the outer point of the ninth star, a faint die crack or clash mark (clouds) at the top of the 806 in the date, and a die crack from the fifth star to the tops of LIB. These cracks are also present on some 1805 examples, so it is indeed likely that the 1806 coins were struck after the 1805. In other instances the Mint coined post dated coins. On the reverse, the eleventh star (middle star on the right, just above the scroll) is boldly double punched, and the leaves touch the middle of the C and right center post of the I of AMERICA. The strike is decent, but shows minor weakness on Liberty's central hair, on the scroll and area surrounding the eagle's neck. No doubt the dies were worn by the time this one was coined, and striking quality varied from variety to variety on these. Identifiable by a tiny scratch between the twelfth and thirteenth stars near the dentils. Currently in NGC holder #623014-001. An incredible example of this very rare coin and worthy of a king's ransom, for once it is sold, it may be off the market for many years to come. Estimated Value $110,000 - 130,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1884		1807 $2.50 Capped Bust. NGC graded MS-62. Reflective fields and generally clean surfaces for the grade. Rich golden color on both sides, we note some light coppery toned areas on the upper devices, and these help offset the design elements from the fields. This one has some softness in the strike, as always seen on this date, but most elements are sharp, with just one star weak on the reverse above the eagle. Rare in all grades, 6,812 were struck which actually makes this the most "common" date Capped Bust quarter eagle, but when one considers how few are known of any of these dates, all remain quite rare, especially in mint state grades. This is an early die state with no trace of the crack through the date or left hand stars. We note that the 1 is firmly connected to Liberty's curl, while the 7 just touches both the bust, and the 0 next to it. The reverse die was used to coin some 1805 and 1806 7X6 stars coins, with the same 11th star (middle star just above the scroll on the right side as you face the eagle) broadly recut. Minor adjustment marks, some on the eagle's breast, others on the rims on the left side. On the obverse, we note that the one star point is broken at the end. Estimated Value $20,000 - 25,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $18,400
Lot 1885		1831 $2.50 Capped Head. PCGS graded MS-63. A mostly well struck example with Liberty's hair locks fully defined and all of the stars are complete. As usual, a trifle soft at the eagle's right shoulder as made. The surfaces are choice and exhibit considerable proof-likeness on both sides. All is enhanced by some rich coppery-golden toning about the peripheries. A superb example for the Reduced Size Capped Bust design. PCGS has graded 8 this high, with 12 graded higher. Estimated Value $14,000 - 16,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1886		1839-C $2.50 Classic Head. PCGS graded AU-58. A classic example of this rare date. The coin is toned with rich orange gold hues throughout, and frosty luster remains in abundance. Further, this is the rare recut date variety, which is less common than the overdate 1839/38-C. Breen estimates that the overdate comprised of 10,740 coins, and this scarcer recut date variety only 7,400 coins. The reverse die cracked early, and had to be discarded, and this is an earlier die state with the long crack through the eagle's beak just starting to show, and it continues down through the first 2 in the denomination. Another reverse crack is seen running above the left wing of the eagle. This one is well struck, but the central radial lines on the stars are flat. There are two marks worth describing, the first is a thin pin scratch from Liberty's bust up into the field to the rim between the second and third star, and on the reverse there is a minor dig in the shield. Neither of these marks are distracting. PCGS has graded 8 this high, with just 2 graded higher (both MS-61), which easily qualifies this specimen as one of the top dozen seen by that service. Worthy of a top notch Charlotte gold specialty set, or a comprehensive date set of high grade quarter eagles. Estimated Value $7,000 - 9,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $7,188
Lot 1887		1856 $2.50 Liberty. PCGS graded AU-55. Minor handling marks and a few hairlines in the fields. Estimated Value $175 - 200. View details	Realized $259
Lot 1888		1856-C $2.50 Liberty. Sharpness of AU-50 but repaired. This coin has been repaired by someone smoothing a scratch in the left obverse field, or buffing down that area and then attempting to hide the work done by buffing the area further. The reverse also has areas of porosity surrounding the devices. Certainly a coin to be inspected, as this is a rare date and many aren't this nice. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,524
Lot 1889		1856-O $2.50 Liberty. PCGS graded AU-58. Well struck with plenty of mint color intact. Estimated Value $1,750 - 2,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,185
Lot 1890		1858-C $2.50 Liberty. ICG graded MS-62. One of the finest graded by any of the grading services, both NGC and PCGS have each graded 1 coin higher, both as MS-63. In this grade about 24 have been graded. This coin boasts rich golden luster in the fields, with a dark streak of toning in the right wing as you face the eagle. Sharply struck by the dies, with strong details on Liberty and on all but the uppermost feathers of the eagle. Mintages were a scant 9,056 that year from Charlotte, and Breen notes that as a date 1858-C is "prohibitively rare uncirculated." and also they are usually "weak in centers". An important opportunity for the specialist. Estimated Value $12,000 - 15,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1891		1878 $2.50 Liberty. NGC graded MS-64. A splendid frosty mint specimen with virtually immaculate surfaces. An attractive light golden-orange in color. Estimated Value $900 - 1,100. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,495
Lot 1892		1878 $2.50 Liberty. NGC graded MS-63. We note a few unimportant hairlines and random surface scratches from a higher grade. Radiant luster and well struck. Estimated Value $600 - 700. View details	Realized $529
Lot 1893		1878-S $2.50 Liberty. EF-40. Minor circulation marks, but still nice for the grade. Estimated Value $125 - 150. View details	Realized $161
Lot 1894		1888 $2.50 Liberty. AU-50. Nice color and surfaces, with a touch of weakness at the central obverse. Estimated Value $200 - 225. View details	Realized $265
Lot 1895		1896 $2.50 Liberty. AU-58. Good color, and nearly mint state. Estimated Value $175 - 200. View details	Realized $196
Lot 1896		1898 $2.50 Liberty. PCGS graded Proof 63 Deep Cameo. Beautiful cameo contrast which is further enhanced by a film of light golden-orange tone. One of only 165 proofs struck. Estimated Value $3,700 - 4,400. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1897		1901 $2.50 Liberty. PCGS graded MS-64. Nearly a gem, but we note on small nick at the top point of the fourth star. A lot of eye appeal for the grade. Estimated Value $550 - 600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $690
Lot 1898		1903 $2.50 Liberty. PCGS graded MS-63. Sharply struck and light copper toning. Estimated Value $475 - 525. View details	Realized $460
Lot 1899		1905 $2.50 Liberty. NGC graded MS-65. An exquisite little jewel. Boldly struck and satiny with hues of light olive and golden-orange mint bloom color. If you desire a gem quality Liberty quarter eagle, here is one you should consider. Estimated Value $900 - 1,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 1900		1905 $2.50 Liberty. PCGS graded MS-64. Luscious mint bloom color. Estimated Value $500 - 750. View details	Realized $719
Lot 1901		1905 $2.50 Liberty. PCGS graded MS-63. Fresh mint luster but we note some minor surface marks on the upper right reverse. Estimated Value $450 - 500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $529
Lot 1902		1907 $2.50 Liberty. NGC graded MS-63. Well struck, but we note some reeding marks on the cheek. Estimated Value $400 - 500. View details	Realized $500
Lot 1903		1902 $2.50 Liberty. Each grades MS-60 or better. Lot of 3 coins. Estimated Value $600 - 700. View details	Realized $529
Lot 1904		1908 $2.50 Indian. MS-60. A few handling lines, popular as the first year of issue. Estimated Value $200 - 250. View details	Realized $460
Lot 1905		1909 $2.50 Indian. PCGS graded MS-64. A sparkling beauty with remarkably clean surfaces. Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,400. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,783
Lot 1906		1911 $2.50 Indian. NGC graded MS-63. Estimated Value $500 - 600. View details	Realized $719
Lot 1907		1911-D $2.50 Indian. PCGS graded MS-64. A nice bold strike with a sharp, fully defined mint mark. This key date example shimmers with completely undisturbed frosty mint luster and is further enhanced by its rich golden-orange mint bloom color. This beauty should stir considerable collector interest. Estimated Value $10,000 - 13,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $16,963
Lot 1908		1925-D $2.50 Indian. PCGS graded MS-64. A splendid beauty! In a first generation PCGS slab. Estimated Value $700 - 900. View details	Realized $1,323
Lot 1909		1925-D $2.50 Indian. NGC graded MS-63. Estimated Value $500 - 600. View details	Realized $512
Lot 1910		1925-D $2.50 Indian. The first grades MS-60, the second AU-55. A nice pair. Lot of 2 coins. Estimated Value $350 - 400. View details	Realized $529
Lot 1911		1926 $2.50 Indian. PCGS graded MS-64. An lovely frosty mint example with full undisturbed mint bloom color. In our opinion, a premium quality coin. Estimated Value $800 - 850. View details	Realized $1,380
Lot 1912		1926 $2.50 Indian. MS-63. Choice surfaces and nice golden color. Estimated Value $500 - 600. View details	Realized $920
Lot 1913		1926 $2.50 Indian. Each grades MS-60 or so. Lot of 3 coins. Estimated Value $550 - 600. View details	Realized $776
Lot 1914		1927 $2.50 Indian. PCGS graded MS-65. This frosty mint gem is as fresh as a daisy! Estimated Value $2,200 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,875
Lot 1915		1927 $2.50 Indian. NGC graded MS-64. Very well struck. Estimated Value $700 - 800. View details	Realized $891
Lot 1916		1928 $2.50 Indian. PCGS graded MS-63. Orange with olive overtones. Estimated Value $500 - 600. View details	Realized $748
Lot 1917		1928 $2.50 Indian. NGC graded MS-63. A pleasing frosty mint example. Estimated Value $500 - 600. View details	Realized $719
Lot 1918		1929 $2.50 Indian. NGC graded MS-63. Last year of issue. Estimated Value $500 - 600. View details	Realized $483
Lot 1919		1929 $2.50 Indian. PCGS graded MS-62. Bright luster but the surfaces show moderate handling marks. Estimated Value $225 - 275. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $288
Lot 1920		1908 $2.50 Indian. 1908-1929. Total of 13 different dates lacking only the 1911-D and 1914. The condition ranges from Extremely Fine to Brilliant Uncirculated. A few of the coins in this offering have been certified by NGC, the balance are raw. A worthwhile group that should be examined. Lot of 13 coins. Estimated Value $1,700 - 2,000. View details	Realized $2,185