Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 13

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

$10 Gold

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 2054		1795 $10 Capped Bust. 9 leaves below eagle. . Tar-3. PCGS graded MS-60. This is the Breen Encyclopedia plate coin for his number 6831, and has a famous pedigree which is listed below. On the obverse, we note several low areas which the dies did not manage to fill when this coin was struck, and this is evidence of an improperly rolled planchet. These are located around the second star and into the field above and near the rim opposite the thirteenth star. As noted in the 1794 silver dollar description in this sale, the first batches of silver and gold were not that pure, and had to be refined at the Mint. This process was very difficult, and the equipment and training were not fully up to the task. Hence, many early planchets are defective (see the 1795 BB-13, B-9 silver dollar in this sale as well) and even after their best efforts, planchets could still show preparation problems as seen here, with small low areas in the fields, streaks or planchet splits or defects. Other 1795 9 leaf eagles show similar planchet problems and it is likely that this consignment of gold was difficult to refine and roll into blanks, causing these planchet problems. This planchet was a bit too heavy, so the excess gold was removed by adjusting the planchet with a file, and light adjustment marks can be seen with a glass on Liberty. As if it wasn't enough to have problem planchets, the reverse die used to strike this coin shows signs of high stress, despite what had to be a very low mintage. Note how the die is sinking (bubbles in the die steel) around the first T of STATES at the top, below and right of the first A in AMERICA, and below the second leaf point counting from the right to the rim where a wavy crack has formed, and a circular crack is located touching the leaf point. As noted scholar Walter Breen stated in the New Netherlands 55th Sale on the 9 leaf in the Cicero Sale…. "Rarity of the variety is difficult to explain; probably the reverse die breaks advanced rapidly, and in general heavy die breaks on gold are not found because the dies were often inspected and quickly condemned when breaks were found. Gold was far more a public relations item for the U. S. Government than silver or copper, and care was taken to avoid die breaks or blunders on gold as never on lower denominations." We agree with Breen, and suspect that the reverse die did fail as the bubbles in the reverse die failed rapidly, causing large lumps on the first T of STATES and below the first A of AMERICA as noted, possibly under the branch too. As always, the early days at the Mint posed many problems, and working with defective planchets, lousy equipment and in poor working conditions didn't help. 1795 is the first year of issue, and this is certainly rarest die pairing of the year with approximately 15 known (See Anthony Taraszka's excellent reference on eagles for a list, or the Breen Encyclopedia). PCGS has only graded a single example as MS-60 (this one), and 6 are graded higher (best MS-63). An exceptional rarity that is seldom offered. Estimated Value $100,000 - 125,000. This is the Granberg-Wooden-Newcomer-Black coin, ex: Auction '90, David Akers, 8/1990:1916. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 2055		1796 $10 Capped Bust. . Tar-6. NGC graded MS-62. Here is a rare coin in mint state. The surfaces retain most of the original luster and we note trivial scattered ticks on both sides. Struck on a less than perfect planchet, with a number of small laminations and flaws on both sides, more noticeable in the fields than on the devices. Similar in fact to the 1795 9 leaf just offered, which has planchet problems. Identifiable by a small rectangular void in the lowest drapery fold above the 96 in the date, and by a small lamination on Liberty's jaw, reaching down towards her neck. On the reverse, there is a small planchet flake in the field just left of the lower body of the eagle, below the wing, and scattered tiny planchet flakes through most of the fields. Minor hairlines on the prooflike surfaces, and quite appealing despite the trivial problems. NGC has only graded 2 this high, with none graded higher, similar at PCGS where they have graded 3 as MS-62, with a single coin graded higher as MS-63. There is a good chance that this coin is well within the top six known of the date (certainly of those certified) and one that would make a worthy acquisition by a specialist in the series, or a date collector who wants a really special example. Estimated Value $60,000 - 80,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 2056		1797 $10 Capped Bust. Small eagle. . Tar-7. NGC graded AU-53. A magnificent example of this coveted variety. The devices are fairly well struck with strong definition on the stars and most of the curls on Liberty and the eagle boasts most of his proud breast feathers. Light wear only on the uppermost devices. One can tell that the engraver was working with an obverse die that had 15 stars, and he had to add the 16th star by the time this obverse was used. Therefore, the additional star was crammed into the space near the 1 in the date, and the stars are arranged in th curious 12 X 4 division. The obverse die cracked early, with a break extending towards the center from 4 o'clock. As to the reverse, it is the same die that was used to coin the 1796 eagles. We note some faint adjustment marks at the center of the reverse, and there is an old scratch below the wreath and into the eagle's neck. One other mark should help to identify this one, it's very tiny, but deep, and located between fifth and sixth leaves in the branch. Estimated Value $40,000 - 50,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $41,400
Lot 2057		1797 $10 Capped Bust. Large eagle. . Tar-8. NGC graded AU-58. Toned with a light coppery gold color on both sides, the surfaces retain some luster and the strike is sharp. This would make a nice type coin for the collector as it is a common variety and virtually a new coin. Examination will locate minor handling ticks, but there are no surface problems whatsoever. There are no visible adjustment marks and the devices are very well struck on both the obverse and reverse, including the stars which are frequently weak. We note that the reverse die has been touched up, with the dentils strengthened over the E of STATES, and the second T of STATES has also been touched up, with the post now extending up beyond the crossbar, that or a small die lump has formed in this area. Estimated Value $9,500 - 11,500. View details	Realized $9,200
Lot 2058		1798 $10 Capped Bust. 8 over 7, 9 stars left, 4 right. . Tar-9. PCGS graded MS-61. Long considered to be very rare, enough recent appearances seem to support a population of closer to 100 rather than Breen's suggested 18-20 known (per his Encyclopedia). However, most of those known are circulated examples, unlike this lovely mint state coin here. Abundant luster in the fields and the devices are well struck by the dies. Moderate adjustment marks can be seen with a glass on the obverse, as made. It has long been considered that only 900 were struck, based on the Mint's official warrants for 1798, but more research needs to be done, as some 1797 coins were struck after this 1798, given advanced die state analysis done by Anthony Taraszka, making the Mints warrants a good guide, but not necessarily as straight forward as one might hope. All 1798 eagles are rare, and the date has long been held in high regard as so few are known when compared with many other dates in this series. This particular one should be identifiable from previous sales by a small spot just touching the middle of Liberty's neck, and a short line extending from the last S of STATES (this is a small planchet defect). Of course, with so few known in Mint State, there have only been a few auctioned over the years. This is not the Eliasberg or Carter coin, but might be the Baldenhofer or Davis-Graves specimen, or perhaps one that has escaped being memorialized in an auction until recently. PCGS has graded just 3 this high, with none graded higher. This will give an indication of just how truly rare this coin is in full mint state grades. Estimated Value $50,000 - 70,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 2059		1800 $10 Capped Bust. . Tar-23. PCGS graded MS-63. Reported mintage of 5,999 makes this one of the rare dates of the early eagle series. Only one pair of dies was used to coin these, and all show a die crack through the tops of LIBERTY. We note some adjustment marks along the reverse rim. Toned with delicate golden copper shades near the devices, and with very appealing surfaces and color. PCGS has graded 6 this high, with 3 graded higher. Estimated Value $30,000-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 2060		1803 $10 Capped Bust. Small reverse stars. Sharpness of VF-30 but used as jewelry. The surfaces are abraded and this coin was obviously used as jewelry. Probably mounted, as there is a dark area on the rim below the date, on both the edge and in the dentils. Inspection mandatory. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,875
Lot 2061		1803 $10 Capped Bust. Large reverse stars. . Tar-30. NGC graded AU-50. Delicate gold to copper toning on both the obverse and reverse and well struck for this date. We note one minor rim bump below the 3 in the date, and this should serve to hallmark this coin. Much larger stars than on the other reverse dies of the year, and this creates a minor type variety for the collector. These early eagles are very scarce, most were lost or melted soon after they were struck, and very few have been located today for the many collectors who desire to own a decent example. Estimated Value $5,500 - 6,500. View details	Realized $6,900
Lot 2062		1803 $10 Capped Bust. Large reverse stars. Sharpness of EF-45 but harshly cleaned and burnished. The surfaces have been harshly cleaned and burnished and reflect heavy cleaning lines. Appealing if you want a high grade coin for a moderate price. Inspection mandatory. Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000. From Superior Galleries October 2000 Sale, lot 4692. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 2063		1839 $10 Liberty. Large letters. NGC graded AU-58. An important and rare type coin in high grades, NGC has graded just 15 this high with a scant 6 graded higher in various mint state grades. Some luster near the devices and the coin is well struck for this date. The swept back hair on Liberty covers her ear, and the letters are a different style from later issues from 1839 onward, creating this short-lived type coin for 1883 to 1839. Identifiable by a few ticks left of the date, and a short scratch by the lower right serif of the E in TEN. Estimated Value $5,000 - 6,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $7,188
Lot 2064		1850 $10 Liberty. Large date. NGC graded MS-61. A boldly struck example of the No Motto type eagle. Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,530
Lot 2065		1851-O $10 Liberty. EF-45. Minor hairlines but otherwise the surface are decent for the grade. This one has the "O" ring near the top of the vertical stripes in the shield, which must have been some kind of centering thingy for the die maker. Estimated Value $300 - 400. View details	Realized $397
Lot 2066		1855 $10 Liberty. MS-60 Plus. A better than average struck example with fully defined hair detail. The surfaces are shimmering with frosty mint luster and are free from noteworthy marks. An ideal example of the no motto type that is seldom seen nicer. Estimated Value $2,500-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 2067		1864-S $10 Liberty. ANACS graded AU Details, Net EF-40, Bent-Cleaned. It is hard to see where this coin is bent in the holder, but we'll take their word for it. Moderate handling marks, including on Liberty's face, and rather extensive hairlines from a past cleaning. A rare date that this seldom offered at all, and many have been touched up as seen here over the last century. Only 2,500 were coined, and precious few are offered. We note some minor staining in the field below Liberty's chin. Estimated Value $3,500-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,140
Lot 2068		1868 $10 Liberty. NGC graded AU-55. Scarce low mintage date. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,250. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,725
Lot 2069		1879-S $10 Liberty. VF-35. Some luster remains, but a bit baggy as are most seen in the grade range assigned. Estimated Value $150 - 200. View details	Realized $144
Lot 2070		1880-S $10 Liberty. MS-60. Estimated Value $225 - 275. View details	Realized $184
Lot 2071		1880-S $10 Liberty. These grade AU-58. Good luster on each, and a few trivial handling marks. Lot of 3 coins. Estimated Value $450 - 550. View details	Realized $529
Lot 2072		1882-O $10 Liberty. NGC graded AU-58. Well struck with traces of mirror surfaces around the protected areas of the periphery. Even scarcer than its low mintage indicates, particularly so in such high grade. Estimated Value $1,250 - 1,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,990
Lot 2073		1882-S $10 Liberty. Lot of 2 pieces, both Mint State 60. We note one coin has some mint caused tar streaks across the obverse surfaces. Estimated Value $500 - 600. View details	Realized $414
Lot 2074		Withdrawn	Unsold
Lot 2075		1886 $10 Liberty. ANACS graded NET PF 60, "PF Altered Surfaces". This one has light hairlines in the fields and a delicate copper tone too. Frosted devices and still appealing. Rare, just 60 were coined in all, this one has minor handling but retains a nice appearance. A glass will locate some trivial marks, as always and examination will find a faint mark in the left obverse field that has been carefully smoothed out, and this is scarcely noticeable, which accounts for the "altered surfaces" on the ANACS holder. Still a nice proof coin, with loads of eye appeal and an affordable example of some of the finest workmanship of the Philadelphia Mint (and some decent work later too!) Inspection recommended, as always, and much better than we make it sound as few would detect the delicate repair work. Estimated Value $4,000 - 5,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $6,900
Lot 2076		Withdrawn	Unsold
Lot 2077		1887-S $10 Liberty. These both grade AU-58. Lot of 2 coins. Estimated Value $300 - 350. View details	Realized $345
Lot 2078		1888 $10 Liberty. AU-53. A slightly better date, but this one has moderate handling ticks. Estimated Value $200 - 250. View details	Realized $219
Lot 2079		1890-CC $10 Liberty. PCGS graded MS-61 Premium Quality. One of the better ones to come down to us, we note PCGS has graded 16 this high, with 13 graded higher (all MS-62), and nothing above that. This particular coin has nice luster, and moderate hairlines visible under a lamp, otherwise the surfaces are clean for the grade. Worth a decent bid from collector's who have been unable to locate a pleasing specimen for their date set. Estimated Value $1,500-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,070
Lot 2080		1891-CC $10 Liberty. PCGS graded AU-55. Some luster remains and this one is well struck. Always popular for the CC Mintmark. Estimated Value $500 - 600. View details	Unsold
Lot 2081		1892-O $10 Liberty. MS-60. Flashy bright luster on both sides and a slightly better date. Estimated Value $250 - 300. View details	Realized $380
Lot 2082		1893 $10 Liberty. These grade AU-50 to 58. Lot of 3 coins. Estimated Value $450 - 500. View details	Realized $506
Lot 2083		1894 $10 Liberty. AU-58. A lovely slider. Estimated Value $150 - 175. View details	Realized $253
Lot 2084		1895 $10 Liberty. The first grades AU-55, the second AU-50. Lot of 2 coins. Estimated Value $300 - 350. View details	Realized $345
Lot 2085		1895-O $10 Liberty. PCGS graded MS-62 Bass. A strictly brilliant uncirculated example and as such quite scarce. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,200. Ex Harry Bass Sale. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,553
Lot 2086		1897-O $10 Liberty. AU-55. A somewhat scarce date. Estimated Value $250 - 300. View details	Realized $288
Lot 2087		1897-O $10 Liberty. AU-53. A few scattered ticks from limited circulation. Estimated Value $200 - 250. View details	Realized $242
Lot 2088		1899 $10 Liberty. NGC graded MS-64. Frosty mint luster abounds. Estimated Value $800 - 1,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,265
Lot 2089		1899 $10 Liberty. AU-55 and fully proof-like. Together with: 1900 in AU-55. Two coins in lot. Estimated Value $300 - 350. View details	Realized $426
Lot 2090		1900 $10 Liberty. MS-63. Rich golden toning on the reverse. Estimated Value $400 - 500. View details	Realized $299
Lot 2091		1901 $10 Liberty. Proof 64 Ultra Cameo. Philadelphia coined 85 in Proof for 1901, and this is one of the early ones as the dies show ample frost on the devices, unlike most, which show average frost. Hence, this is one of the ultra cameo coins, from the first few struck when the dies had the most frost in the devices, and create the most cameo contrast. Excellent surfaces and color, with just a few stray lines from handling. A rare and desirable example of this stunning coin. Estimated Value $11,000 - 13,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $10,120
Lot 2092		1901 $10 Liberty. PCGS graded MS-64. Rich with deep golden-orange mint bloom color. Estimated Value $850 - 1,050. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $920
Lot 2093		1901 $10 Liberty. PCGS graded MS-64. Rich coppery-golden mint bloom color. Estimated Value $850 - 1,050. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $978
Lot 2094		1901 $10 Liberty. PCGS graded MS-64. Another splendid example exhibiting rich coppery-golden mint luster. Estimated Value $850 - 1,050. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,610
Lot 2095		1901 $10 Liberty. NGC graded MS-64. Frosty mint luster. Estimated Value $800 - 1,000. View details	Realized $863
Lot 2096		1901 $10 Liberty. NGC graded MS-64. Estimated Value $800 - 1,000. View details	Realized $863
Lot 2097		1901 $10 Liberty. NGC graded MS-64. Nice and frosty with a light coppery spot in Liberty's hair. Estimated Value $800 - 1,000. View details	Realized $891
Lot 2098		1901 $10 Liberty. NGC graded MS-63. Frosty mint luster. We note a faint copper spot on the last star. Estimated Value $400 - 500. View details	Realized $426
Lot 2099		1901 $10 Liberty. MS-63. A few hairlines, but nice color and surfaces otherwise. Estimated Value $350 - 450. View details	Realized $230
Lot 2100		1901 $10 Liberty. MS-60 Plus. Estimated Value $200 - 250. View details	Realized $242
Lot 2101		1901 $10 Liberty. These grade AU-55 to MS-60. Lot of 3 coins. Estimated Value $450 - 500. View details	Realized $518
Lot 2102		1901-S $10 Liberty. PCGS graded MS-65. This is "the" common date of eagles, with 509 graded this high, and 103 higher according to PCGS. One small planchet flaw at the top of the second A in AMERICA will serve to identify. Great luster and clean surfaces. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,300. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,128
Lot 2103		1901-S $10 Liberty. PCGS graded MS-64. Satiny golden-orange mint color. Estimated Value $850 - 1,050. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,150

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