Sale 1027 — The Natalee Grace Collection of Used U.S. Stamps, Part Two: 1869 to Pan-American Issues
Sale Date — Wednesday, 19 September, 2012
Category — Columbian Issue (Scott 230-245)
$5.00 Columbian (245). Perfectly centered with unusually wide margins, intense shade and proof-like impression, long and full perforations all around, unobtrusive cancel at upper rightEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENALLY BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN. THIS STUNNING STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE.
The dollar-value Columbians are extremely difficult to obtain in superb used condition. For the five denominations a total of seven copies have graded 98 and none have graded higher, as illustrated in the chart below. None has graded 98 for the $1.00 and $4.00, and this is the only $5.00 to receive this grade. The denomination was not designed to pay any actual postage rate, and collectors protested the high cost. Only 21,844 were sold, and only a small percentage of those were used, either on philatelic covers or on heavy registered parcels. The stamps on parcels or registered mail were frequently heavily cancelled, and the large package wrappers were susceptible to damage. The stamp offered here is a notable exception. It is lightly cancelled, the paper is fresh and bright, the impression and shade and beautiful, and it is perfectly centered. It is truly a condition rarity.
With 1988 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ does not price this in the grade of 98, SMQ $6,850.00 as 95). This is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achieve this grade.
