Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 13

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

Twenty Cent Peices

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 675		1875 Twenty Cents. AU-58. This one has been harshly cleaned with heavy hairlines in the fields, but has retoned with lovely colors on both sides. Boldly struck, and this one probably is a mishandled proof. Decent eye appeal for the grade. Estimated Value $250 - 300. From the Benson collection and purchased from James G. Macallister on July 14, 1944 for $8.50 as "Proof". View details and enlarged photos	Realized $437
Lot 676		1875-CC Twenty Cents. PCGS graded MS-63. Antique gray toning on both sides with good luster beneath. The strike is weak on Liberty's head and on the eagle, as well as on the shield. All too typical of this date and issue from Carson City. Appealing overall. Estimated Value $1,100 - 1,300. From the Benson collection and purchased from James G. Macallister on July 11, 1944 for $7.50. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,990
Lot 677		1875-S Twenty Cents. PCGS graded Proof 63. Here is a rare coin that is seldom offered. San Francisco coined approximately 12 of these to memorialize this new denomination using a single pair of polished dies. Boldly struck, with full stars and feathers, the only sign of weakness is on the upper curls on Liberty's head. Many were mishandled or cleaned over the years. Not so here, the surfaces show just minor hairlines and the edges are toned with lovely green and blue hues, while the centers remain frosty and white. Boldly struck, as expected for a proof, with Breen's diagnostics clear, faint die polish lines in the shield below BER, a spine left of the pole below Liberty's hand, the left serif of the T in CENTS is broken off. Note that these dies were later used to strike regular issue coins, so these diagnostics are a requirement of proofs, but not sufficient evidence alone to make them proofs. All branch mint proofs are rare, and this coin is certainly one of the finest to survive of this tiny issue. PCGS has only graded 2 in Proof, this coin and one in PR-62 below. Don't miss it if you are an advanced collector of proofs or this series. For future identification, there is a short curved lint mark through the top of the C in AMERICA extending to the dentil above at the center of that letter. Estimated Value $12,500-UP. From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on June 7, 1944 for $20.00 as "Proof". View details and enlarged photos	Realized $32,200
Lot 678		1876 Twenty Cents. PCGS graded Proof 64. Antique gray toning on both sides and very reflective. Nice contrast and excellent quality for the grade. Only 1,260 were struck, and not many can even approach the quality offered here. Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000. From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on March 28, 1944 for $9.00. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $5,290
Lot 679		1876 Twenty Cents. PCGS graded Proof 64. A gorgeous blue and rose toned proof that boasts clean surfaces and stunning rich colors throughout. Perfectly struck and a knockout coin for the grade. Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000. From the Benson collection and purchased from James G. Macallister on July 14, 1944 for $10.00. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $8,338
Lot 680		1876 Twenty Cents. PCI graded AU-50. Since this coin is in a PCI holder that states "struck through at rim" we examined it closely. All we can locate is a small indentation on the rim above RIC of AMERICA where some small foreign matter was on the planchet during the striking process. Minor hairlines and steel gray in color. Well struck and a decent coin for the type collector. Estimated Value $300 - 350. View details	Realized $437
Lot 681		1877 Twenty Cents. PCGS graded Proof 62. Gunmetal gray in color with an old large spot in the upper left obverse field. Nice quality for the conservative grade assigned. 510 were coined, some of which were melted. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,200. From the Benson collection and purchased from James G. Macallister on July 14, 1944 for $22.50. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,415
Lot 682		1878 Twenty Cents. PCGS graded Proof 65. Stunning shades of blue and rose gold on this one, with superb surfaces too. Even the strike is full and complete, and we see no distracting handling marks. If you have been looking for a top end gem of this important type coin, then here is a near perfect example for the toned coin lover. Philadelphia coined just 600 in 1878, all proofs, as the denomination was put out to pasture after 4 short years of very limited production. PCGS has graded only 18 this high, with a scant 5 higher (best PR-67). Worth a premium for the majestic toning, and certain to please the advanced numismatist. Estimated Value $7,000-UP. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $16,100
Lot 683		1878 Twenty Cents. PCGS graded Proof 64. Beautifully toned with deep blue at the rims, antique gold in the fields on both sides. Well struck and preserved for a proof, with none of the usual problems or distractions. One tiny field mark high and inside the last star. Estimated Value $3,500 - 4,000. From the Benson collection and purchased from Ira S. Reed on March 22, 1944 for $20.00. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $6,325
Lot 684		1878 Twenty Cents. Proof 63. Hazy and milky white in color over clean surfaces. The mirror fields are quite reflective, and the strike is sharp on even the tiniest devices. Final year of issue, with just 600 struck. Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,700. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,300