Sale 1227 — Outstanding United States Stamps and Gold Coins
Sale Date — Monday-Friday, 19-23 October, 2020
Category — 1875 Continental Bank Note Co. Hard Paper Special Printing (Scott 167-175)
1c Ultramarine, Special Printing (167). Without gum as issued, beautifully centered, bright shade with slight dry print or surface disturbance in vignette, scissors-separated but perfs virtually complete, small thin spotEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our census records for Scott 167 contain 46 certified examples. Of these, fewer than ten have perforations all around.
Census no. 167-UNC-36. With 2002 P.F. certificate
2c Dark Brown, Special Printing (168). Without gum as issued, deep color and proof-like impression, perfs scissors-separated as almost always leaving straight edges at top and right and full perfs on other sidesVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our census of Scott 168 contains 60 copies certified as genuine. Many have perfs scissors-trimmed on at least one side and many have perforations into the design. The example offered here is very presentable.
Census no. 168-UNC-59. With 2002 P.S.E. and 2007 P.F. certificates
2c Dark Brown, Special Printing (168). Without gum as issued, deep rich color, scissors-separated with intact perforations on all sidesVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our census of Scott 168 contains 60 copies certified as genuine. Many have perfs scissors-trimmed on at least one side and many have perforations into the design.
Census no. 168-UNC-46. With 1955 and 1991 P.F. certificates
3c Blue Green, Special Printing (169). Without gum as issued, wide margins, perfs scissors-separated as usual but showing full perfs at top and some perfs on other sidesVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 1875 3-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our census of Scott 169 contains 36 examples that have been certified as genuine by The Philatelic Foundation (including one on cover). Of these, only three have perforations all around and are confirmed as sound.
Census no. 169-UNC-35. Signed in pencil by E. Stern. With 1949, 1969, 1989 and 2008 P.F. certificates
3c Blue Green, Special Printing (169). Without gum as issued, rich color, perfs scissors-separated as usual but intact on three sides and showing some perfs at left, faint horizontal crease not mentioned on accompanying certificateFINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 1875 3-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our census of Scott 169 contains 36 examples that have been certified as genuine by The Philatelic Foundation (including one on cover). Of these, only three have perforations all around and are confirmed as sound.
Census no. 169-UNC-22. With 1957 P.F. certificate
6c Dull Rose, Special Printing (170). Without gum as issued, exceptionally wide margins and superb centering, bright color, couple short perfs and reperfed at rightEXTREMELY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 6-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our census of Scott 170 contains 35 certified examples.
Census no. 170-UNC-23. Ex Hall. With 1989 and 2015 P.F. certificates
7c Reddish Vermilion, Special Printing (171). Without gum as issued, brilliant color, perfs scissors-separated but intact on all sidesFRESH AND VERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 1875 7-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our census of Scott 171 contains 73 certified examples plus one uncertified copy. Most stamps were scissors-separated, affecting the perforations on at least one side.
Census no. 171-UNC-73. With 2005 P.F. certificate
7c Reddish Vermilion, Special Printing (171). Without gum as issued, radiant color, perfs scissors-separated as usual but mostly intact, light horizontal creaseFINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 7-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our census of Scott 171 contains 73 certified examples plus one uncertified copy. Most stamps were scissors-separated, affecting the perforations on at least one side.
Census no. 171-UNC-72. With 1993 P.S.E. certificate
10c Pale Brown, Special Printing (172). Without gum as issued, bright color, perfs scissors-separated as usual but intact at top and bottom and showing perfs at both sides, choice centeringVERY FINE AND ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our census of Scott 172 contains 38 examples. Most are scissors-separated into the perforations on at least one side. Of the eleven copies with full perforations, most have either pulled perforations or are not centered, limiting their desirability. The example offered here, in sound condition and with perfs showing on all sides is very desirable.
Census no. 172-UNC-10. With 1997 P.F. certificate
10c Pale Brown, Special Printing (172). Without gum as issued, rich color, perfs scissors-separated as usual but virtually intact on three sides, unpunched perfs at leftFINE AND RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING. ONLY 38 ARE RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT DENOMINATIONS TO OBTAIN IN PRESENTABLE CONDITION.
Our census of Scott 172 contains 38 examples. Most are scissors-separated into the perforations on at least one side. Of the eleven copies with full perforations, most have either pulled perforations or are not centered, limiting their desirability. The example offered here, with intact perforations on three sides and in sound condition is very desirable.
Census no. 172-UNC-38. Ex Beals. With 1946 A.P.S. and 2019 P.F. certificates
12c Dark Violet, Special Printing (173). Without gum as issued, intense shade on bright paper, scissors-separated as usual but virtually all perfs intactVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our census records for Scott 173 contain 71 certified examples.
Census no. 171-UNC-48. With 1972 and 2010 P.F. certificates
15c Bright Orange, Special Printing (174). Without gum as issued, brilliant color on bright paper, scissors-separated as usual but leaving intact perforations on all sides, choice centeringEXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING. ONE OF THE FINEST EXTANT.
Our census records for Scott 174 contain 39 certified examples. Of these, an overwhelming majority have the perforations scissors-separated on at least one side. Only five or six have intact perforations, and of those perhaps half are faulty. This sound and centered example, with intact perforations is a true condition rarity and one of the finest extant.
Census no. 174-UNC-15. Ex T. Charlton Henry. With 1975 and 2005 P.F. certificates
15c Bright Orange, Special Printing (174). Without gum as issued, vibrant color and sharp proof-like impression on bright white paper, choice centering, usual scissors-separated perforations intact on two sides and blunted at bottomVERY FINE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY WELL-CENTERED EXAMPLE OF THE 15-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our census records for Scott 174 contain 39 certified examples. Of these, an overwhelming majority have the perforations scissors-separated on at least one side. Only five or six have intact perforations, and of those perhaps half are faulty.
Census no. 174-UNC-29. Ex Meilstrup and Hansen. With 1952 and 2008 P.F. certificates
24c Dull Purple, Special Printing (175). Without gum as issued, complete perfs all around without the usual scissors-separation, rich color on bright paperVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING, WITH COMPLETE PERFORATIONS ON ALL FOUR SIDES.
Our census of Scott 175 contains approximately 110 examples. Few show complete perfs as seen on the stamp offered here.
Census no. 171-UNC-104. With 1999 and 2007 P.F. certificates
24c Dull Purple, Special Printing (175). Without gum as issued, complete perfs all around without the usual scissors-separation, beautiful color and sharp impressionVERY FINE AND ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THE 1875 24-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our census of Scott 175 contains approximately 110 examples. Many are scissors-separated with large portions of perfs missing from one or more sides.
Census no. 171-UNC-105. With 2008 P.S.E. certificate
30c Greenish Black, Special Printing (176). Without gum as issued, beautiful deep shade, scissors-separated as almost always leaving virtually full perforations on three sidesEXTREMELY FINE. A MARVELOUS EXAMPLE OF 30-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL SPECIAL PRINTING -- ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT OF THE HARD PAPER SPECIAL PRINTINGS TO OBTAIN IN CHOICE CONDITION.
Many examples of the Continental Bank Note special printings were separated by scissors, and so are often found with perforations partly missing or entirely trimmed away. A review of our records and those of The Philatelic Foundation found 52 certified copies. Of these, only three or four have perforations on all four sides. The stamp offered here, with full perforations on three sides and a balanced margin at bottom, is a condition rarity.
Census no. 171-UNC-14. Ex Chapin and Hoffman. 1948 P.F. certificate no longer accompanies. With 2003 P.F. certificate
30c Greenish Black, Special Printing (176). Without gum as issued, perfs scissors-separated and intact on two sides, blunted at bottom, wide margins, lovely shade and impressionVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING.
Many examples of the Continental Bank Note special printings were separated by scissors, and so are often found with perforations partly missing or entirely trimmed away. Our census records for Scott 176 contain 52 copies. Of these, only three or four have perforations on all four sides.
Census no. 176-UNC-06. Ex Hetherington. With 1957 and 2016 P.F. certificates
90c Violet Carmine, Special Printing (177). Without gum as issued, well-centered with mostly complete perfs all around, beautiful deep color and crisp impressionVERY FINE AND CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1875 90-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE SPECIAL PRINTING. SCARCE IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
Our census records for Scott 177 contain 46 copies. Only seventeen have perforations intact on all four sides, and of these only nine are confirmed as sound. Many have poor centering.
Census no. 177-UNC-28. Ex Caspary and Curtis. With 1957 and 1984 P.F. certificates.
90c Violet Carmine, Special Printing (177). Without gum as issued, radiant color, perfs scissors-separated as usual but mostly intact, small repaired tear at rightVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1875 90-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE SPECIAL PRINTING.
Our records for Scott 177 contain 46 copies. Only seventeen have perforations intact on all four sides, and of these only nine are confirmed as sound.
Census no. 177-UNC-30. With 1988 and 2015 P.F. certificates