Sale 1032 — The Nick Kirke Collection of Gem-Quality Used U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 23-24 October, 2012
Category — 1873-75 Continental Bank Note Co. Issue (Scott 156-179)
15c Yellow Orange (163). Vibrant color as fresh as the day it was printed, outstanding centering with Jumbo margins, cork cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1873 15-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE IT.
The 15c American Bank Note Company issue, Scott 189, can be found with wide margins and is a much more common issue. This availability causes many collectors to infer that earlier issues such as the 1873 Continental printing are also readily available with wide margins. This is simply not the case. A review using Power Search of used and unused copies to review margin size and centering for the issue found only one which compares favorably to the example offered here, from our sale of the Natalee Grace collection (Sale 1027, lot 75).
With 2010 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 95, SMQ $1,000.00 as 95). This is the highest grade awarded and it is shared by no others
