Sale 956 — The Jay Hoffman Collection of United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 8-9 May, 2008
Category — 1917-23 Issues (Scott 486-497)
1c-10c 1916-22 Issue Coils (486-490, 492-497). Mint N.H. pairs, brilliant colors, better centering than usually found offered as a set, fresh and Extremely Fine, No. 490 light pencil notation on gum
2c Carmine, Ty. II, Coil (487). Mint N.H. joint line pair, brilliant color, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb joint line pair, with 1997 A.P.S. and 2004 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $1,050.00), this is the highest grade awarded to date and only one other shares this grade
3c Violet, Ty. I, Coil (489). Mint N.H. joint line pair, brilliant color, gorgeous centering, Extremely Fine, with 1991 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (VF-XF 85; SMQ $130.00)
2c Carmine, Ty. II, Coil (491). Mint N.H., rich color and detailed impressionVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXTRAORDINARILY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THIS RARE COIL.
Unlike most other issues, the horizontal coil is actually scarcer than the vertical coil. It was in production for only a short period of time before being replaced by the Type III, Scott 492. This single is among the rarest of all 20th Century issues in sound Mint Never-Hinged condition. As an indication of rarity, we have offered only three other Mint N.H. singles, two Mint N.H. pairs and three Mint N.H. joint line pairs in the 14 years since we have been keeping computerized records.
With 2005 P.S.E. certificate
2c Carmine, Ty. II, Coil (491). Mint N.H. pair, rich color, detailed impression, beautiful centering for this difficult issueEXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST MINT NEVER-HINGED PAIRS OF THE 2-CENT ROTARY TYPE II IN EXISTENCE.
Unlike most other issues, the horizontal coil is actually scarcer than the vertical coil. It was in production for only a short period of time before being replaced by the Type III, Scott 492.
This coil is surprisingly rare in Mint N.H. condition. A review of our computerized records, which spans 14 years of our auctions, revealed only one other Mint N.H. pair.
Ex Scarsdale. With 1999 and 2007 P.F. certificates
2c Carmine, Ty. II, Coil (491). Joint line pair, lightly hinged, deep rich color, perfectly centeredEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL JOINT LINE PAIR OF THE 2-CENT ROTARY TYPE II COIL.
Unlike most other issues, the horizontal coil is actually scarcer than the vertical coil. It was in production for only a short period of time before being replaced by the Type III, Scott 492.
Ex Vineyard. With 1962, 1987 and 2003 P.F. and 2005 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $20,600.00). This is the only line pair graded to date.
2c Carmine, Ty. III, Coil (492). Mint N.H. joint line pair, brilliant color, beautiful centering with well-balanced margins, Extremely Fine Gem
3c Violet, Ty. I, Coil (493). Mint N.H. joint line pair, rich color, detailed impression, magnificent centering with unusually wide marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED JOINT LINE PAIR OF THE 3-CENT COIL, SCOTT 493. THIS BEAUTIFUL LINE PAIR HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE. IT IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS DESIRABLE GRADE.
Coil pairs, and especially line pairs, are exceedingly difficult to find in the higher grades. So many factors can affect the condition, including placement of the guide or joint line, how the margins were stripped on the coil machine, and of course the centering within the perforations.
With 2002 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $1,950.00). This is the only example to achieve this grade to date, which is the highest awarded. Accompanied by small note from master grader William A. Litle noting "I believe the first 98NH 493LP - and close to 100NH".
3c Violet, Ty. II, Coil (494). Mint N.H. joint line pair, radiant color, gorgeous centering, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2001 P.S.E. certificate
4c Orange Brown, Coil (495). Mint N.H. joint line pair, radiant color, perfectly centered, Extremely Fine Gem, quite simply superb in every respect, with 2001 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $740.00)
10c Orange Yellow, Coil (497). Mint N.H. joint line pair, intense shade, wide margins, Very Fine and choice, with 2000 P.F. certificate