Sale 1227 — Outstanding United States Stamps and Gold Coins
Sale Date — Monday-Friday, 19-23 October, 2020
Category — 1873 Continental Bank Note Co. Issue (Scott 156-166)
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
2774
2c Brown (157). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression, Very Fine, with 1999 P.F. certificate, Scott value as hinged
325
350
2775
6c Dull Pink, With Grill (159b). Original gum, centered to bottom, pinholes in grill characteristic of the heavy Continental Grill impressions (essentially all examples show holes or small thin), horizontal crease, Fine, a scarce and seldom seen variety, with 1986 P.F. and 2015 P.S.E. certificates
1,800
275
Back to Top2776
7c Orange Vermilion (160). Original gum, vibrant color, Very Fine, with 2017 P.F. certificate
1,000
750
Back to Top2777°
10c Brown (161). Mint N.H. with right selvage, deep rich color, wide and well-proportioned margins, fresh in every respectVERY FINE AND RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 1873 10-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE ISSUE.
We have offered only approximately half a dozen single Scott 161 stamps in Mint N.H. condition since keeping computerized records (plus a block of four).
With 2019 P.F. certificate (VF 80). Scott value as hinged
800
0
Back to Top2778
10c Brown (161). Block of four, original gum, bottom stamps lightly hinged, dark shade, Fine, a scarce block in sound original-gum condition
4,750
850
Back to Top2779
12c Blackish Violet (162). Slightly disturbed original gum, striking dark color on crisp paper, beautifully centered, Very Fine and choice, with 1990 P.F. certificate as original gum
2,200
2,400
Back to Top2780
12c Blackish Violet (162). Balanced Jumbo margins top and bottom and also well-centered side-to-side, deep rich color complemented by both blue and red cancels, the former segmented cork and the latter New York circular datestamp, Very Fine and choice, a pretty stamp, ex Kirke, with 1994, 2004 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (VF 80 Jumbo; SMQ $150.00 for normal cancel, which does not in our view convey the desirability of this stamp)
150
450
Back to Top2781
15c Yellow Orange (163). Vibrant color, well-proportioned margins, well-struck circle of wedges cancel, additional red cancel at top left, Extremely Fine, an attractive stamp, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ $300.00)
170
300
Back to Top2782
30c Gray Black (165). Original gum, soft charcoal gray shade, sharp impression, beautifully centered, top right corner perf crease strengthened, Very Fine appearance, the 30c 1873 Continental is very elusive with original gum
3,750
800
Back to Top2783
30c Gray Black (165). Unused (no gum), crisp impression on bright paper, wide margins, Very Fine and choice, with 1983 P.F. certificate
1,200
850
Back to Top2784
30c Gray Black (165). Near perfect centering with Jumbo margins, bright shade and fine impression, bold quartered cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, rare with such huge margins, with 1999 P.F. certificate
135
425
Back to Top2785
30c Gray Black (165). Outstanding centering, light face-free cancel, bright and fresh, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Kirke, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $825.00), only four grade higher in any condition
135
0
Back to Top2786
30c Gray Black (165). Wide and well-balanced margins, intense shade, exceptionally bold strike of unusual geometric cancel which we feel gives the stamp a "zebra-like" appearance, Extremely Fine Gem, a striking stamp, ex Kirke, with 1991 (incorrectly calling it a New York Foreign Mail cancel) and 2001 (geometric cancel) P.F. certificates, with 2005 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $275.00 for normal cancel)
135
225
Back to Top2787
30c Gray Black (165). Block of four, crisp impression, two strikes of purple "S.S. (?) P.M.S.S. Co." Pacific Mail Steamship Co. double-circle datestamp, upper pair well-centered, perfs in at bottom, Fine-Very Fine, a rare used block of the 30c Continental, especially with this private ship-mail cancellation, ex Twigg-Smith, Scott Retail with no premium for the cancel
1,200
800
Back to Top2788
90c Rose Carmine (166). Original gum, radiant color, fresh and Very Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate
2,100
1,600
Back to Top2789
90c Rose Carmine (166). Block of four, disturbed original gum, brilliant colorFINE-VERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF THE 1873 90-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
From our 1969 Rarities sale
12,500
2,500
Back to Top2790
90c Rose Carmine (166). Brilliant color as fresh as the day it was printed, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, light strike of circular datestamp leaves the Perry vignette unobscuredEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1873 90-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE.
The higher-denomination Bank Note issues were normally heavily cancelled, to prevent re-use. This makes it difficult for collectors looking for high-quality stamps to find a suitable copy. Some criteria (centering, color or cancel) is usually sacrificed when pursuing this issue. The stamp offered here, with unusually wide and balanced margins, bright color and a light cancel, is a true condition rarity.
Ex Renne, Mayer, Dr. Hinrichs and "Natalee Grace". With 1987, 2004 and 2012 P.F. certificates (XF-Superb 95). By way of comparison, the highest grade awarded by both The Philatelic Foundation and P.S.E. is 95
275
8,000
Back to Top2791
90c Rose Carmine (166). Huge interpane margin at right with part of guide arrow at bottom, Jumbo margins other sides, brilliant color, face-free cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a beautiful stamp which we are amazed has escaped the reperfer's punch (perhaps the guide arrow will dissuade future such efforts), ex Geisler, with 1997 and 2007 P.F. certificates
275
2,100
Back to Top2792
90c Rose Carmine (166). Jumbo margins especially at top and bottom, well-balanced side-to-side, bright color, bold circle of wedges cancel, Extremely Fine, with 1994, 2004 and 2013 P.F. certificates (XF 90 Jumbo)
275
850
Back to Top2793
90c Rose Carmine (166). Block of four, fresh and bright color, cork cancels, bottom right and top left stamps each with small piece out and cosmetic repair, still appears Fine-Very Fine, a rare used block of this issue in any condition, ex Twigg-Smith
2,500
1,000
Back to Top