2c Black, D. Grill (84). Deep shade and proof-like impression, clear grill, bold strike of quartered cork cancel, almost perfectly centered, faint corner crease at lower left not described on most recent certificate but is visible in fluid

EXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A GORGEOUS USED EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1868 2-CENT D GRILL.

The 2c D Grill is the rarest of the regular-production 1867-68 Grilled Issues (excluding the 1867 trials and rarest Z Grills), followed in order of scarcity by the 3c Z Grill, the 3c D Grill and the 12c Z Grill.

It is our theory that two grilling machines were used simultaneously, and that one of the machines was converted from the D to E Grill in early 1868, after a small number of 2c sheets were run through the D-equipped machine.

A review using Power Search found very few examples with centering close to the example offered here. If this did not have the tiny corner crease, its selling price would be astronomical.

Ex Hansen (Siegel Sale 963, lot 560). 1991 P.S.E. certificate noting corner crease no longer accompanies. With 2011 P.S.E. certificate as sound (Superb 98; SMQ $85,000.00)

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