30c Black, H. Grill (143). Large part original gum which covers approximately half the stamp, clearly visible grill on Hamilton's head, well-centered, intense shade and impression, a couple previous minor perf gum soaks have been mitigated

EXTREMELY FINE. THE 1870 30-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE GRILLED ISSUE IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT TO FIND IN SOUND, CENTERED AND ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.

The 30c 1870 Grilled Issue is notorious among collectors for its typical poor centering. Among original-gum examples, which are rare in any condition, only a few sound examples would grade Very Fine or better. A search through 60 years of past auction catalogues and name sales produced only two blocks of four, both poorly centered, which means that there have been no multiples from which choice singles could be harvested. In fact, even among the collections famed for quality Bank Note issues -- Caspary, Lilly, Henry, "Ambassador," Braus, Floyd, Whitman et al -- we could not find any original-gum examples that would grade Very Fine or better. The finest original gum example we were able to locate was offered in our Scarsdale sale (Sale 924, lot 9).

Ex Cole and Curtis. 1988 P.F. certificate no longer accompanies. With clear 2014 P.F. certificate stating "large part o.g." A 2010 P.S.E. certificate (POG, F-VF 75) also no longer accompanies -- but it was issued when the stamp displayed the tiny perf gum soaks and so it was downgraded for that. Scott value as original gum

Image Magnifier / Download

Power Search for Comparables