Sale 1040 — Outstanding United States Stamps

Sale Date — Tuesday-Thursday, 26-28 March, 2013

Category — 12c-90c 1857-60 Issue (Scott 36B-39)

Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
1265
 
Sale 1040, Lot 1265, 12c-90c 1857-60 Issue (Scott 36B-39)30c Orange (38). Vibrant color nicely complemented by dark red grid cancel, choice centering for this difficult issue

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A GORGEOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1860 ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. AN EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH SUPERB USED CONDITION.

The 30c 1860 challenges collectors for several reasons. First, the subjects were closely spaced together on the plate, leaving almost no room for perforations and little opportunity to create stamps with perforations clear of the design on all four sides. Second, the 24c, 30c and 90c 1860 high values were only in circulation for a brief period before the series was demonetized in the Fall of 1861. Third, this high-denomination stamp was issued for use on transatlantic mail, and postal clerks were careful to thoroughly cancel the stamps to prevent cleaning and re-use. Therefore, 30c 1860 stamps in sound, well-centered and lightly-cancelled condition defy all circumstances and are extremely rare.

With 1992 and 2003 P.F. and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $4,600.00)

475
3,250