12c Dull Violet, H. Grill (140). Original gum, rich color and proof-like impression, visible grill points

VERY FINE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE, ORIGINAL-GUM, SOUND AND CENTERED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 12-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE GRILLED ISSUE. THE 12-CENT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT DENOMINATION TO OBTAIN IN SOUND ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.

A review using Power Search demonstrates exactly how scarce this stamp is in sound original-gum condition. The sound Mint N.H. stamp from our 2009 Whitman sale (realized $220,000 hammer) stands in a class by itself. Apart from the Whitman stamp, each example we have sold since 1998 was described as having disturbed or part original gum and/or faults. When offering the Whitman copy, we undertook a review of major name sales. Walter Klein, for whom one of his five-part catalogue series was devoted to Bank Note issues, did not have a 12c with original gum. Caspary, Ewing, Lilly, Morris, "Angel" and Floyd never had one. Weisman had one, centered to top left. Zoellner had the unique block of four (the only recorded multiple).

With 1985 and 2015 P.F. certificates. Scott Retail as hinged

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