 1795 LM.8 V.5 (R-3). Gem Brilliant Uncirculated. A magnificent example for the collector who simply must have Gem quality. Toned with delicate pastel hues on the obverse and reverse, which range through blue and russet-gold over strong lustre. The strike is sharp on most of Liberty's curls save for a small area behind her ear, and the lower curls on her shoulder. This coin is similarly well struck on the reverse, where most of the feathers are clear on the wings, and even the eagle's breast displays traces of feathers, an area seldom well struck. Most of the leaves are bold, but a couple are soft. As always seen, there is a thin die crack which slides down from the rim through the right side of the 'Y' to Liberty's nose. This crack appeared early in the die's life and didn't grow or change during coinage of this variety. Minor die rotation on the reverse. For the type collector, this lovely Gem would be a welcome addition to any advanced collection.
Approximately five years ago the present cataloguer (JMM) had the pleasure of cataloguing the Benson Collection for Ira and Larry Goldberg. The collection had been formed in the 1940s based on Wayte Raymond's Standard Catalog. Much to the delight of today's collector, the coins had been stored in the old Wayte Raymond coin albums, which contain just the right amount of sulphur in the cardboard pages. When the coins were removed from the holders, most of the silver coins had developed a bullseye of rainbow toning. Of course it depended on the quality of the coin that began this odyssey as to the outcome. Coins that were wiped or cleaned in 1945 may have developed pretty colors, but the hairlines and surface issues remained. This coin was more typical of the Benson Collection, as the coin went into the board as a Gem and came out as a toned Gem after 60 years. For the collector, a beautifully toned coin simply adds to the allure, and here is a pristine example of that. PCGS MS65.
Ex The Benson Collection (Ira and Larry Goldberg, 2002).
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