24c on 12c Claret Brown, Offices in China (K11a). Mint N.H., wonderful depth of color in this premium shade and sharp proof-like impression, perfectly centered with wide margins all around

AN EXTREMELY FINE GEM STAMP GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. THE 24-CENT ON 12-CENT OFFICES IN CHINA IN THE CLARET BROWN SHADE, SCOTT K11a, IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND IN SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED CONDITION -- EVEN MORE DIFFICULT THAN THE BROWN CARMINE MAIN SHADE LISTING, SCOTT K11, WHICH IS ALSO VERY ELUSIVE IN THE HIGHEST GRADES.

The main shade listing for the 24c on 12c Offices in China, Scott K11 in Brown Carmine, is one of the two most difficult stamps in the series to obtain in Mint N.H. condition with outstanding centering. It is often the last stamp collectors need to complete a high-grade set. 50,000 copies in Brown Carmine were issued. The Claret Brown shade offered here, with only 8,000 issued, is even more difficult and carries a 50% value premium in Scott. Both K11 and K11a have one stamp graded Superb 98 in the P.S.E. Population Report, as well as two graded 95. However, K11 has many more at the 90 and 85 grades. Overall, we feel the Scott premium is correctly indicative of the greater difficulty in finding the Claret Brown K11a offered here.

With 2020 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 90). The Superb 98 SMQ value for Scott K11 is $3,000.00, though the sole example of that grade realized $4,500 hammer in our 2016 sale of the "Hanover" collection. It stands to reason that this K11a should be priced higher in SMQ.

Image Magnifier / Download

PSE Population Report

Market data

Power Search for Comparables