2c Black, Z. Grill (85B). Block of four, original gum called "disturbed" on accompanying certificate but it is very typical of the 2c Z Grill and we would not describe it as such, light red offset on gum from 3c 1861 Issue, h.r. at top, clearly defined grills which show the Z Grill characteristics, horizontal crease at bottom causing some grill point holes, natural pre-print creases in other stamps, tiny thin spots

VERY GOOD APPEARANCE. THIS 1868 2-CENT Z GRILL BLOCK IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL GRILLED ISSUE MULTIPLES. PERHAPS THREE ARE KNOWN AND ALL HAVE SIMILAR CENTERING.

Only a small quantity of 2c sheets were grilled during the period when the Z device was active -- after the D Grill (Scott 84), the Z is the rarest of Black Jack grilled stamps. We were only able to locate two other unused blocks. One was a rejoined block offered in our 2014 Curtis sale (also ex Allen and Metzger), which had traces of original gum. An intact block was offered in our sale of the Richard Drews collection (Siegel Sale 1195, lot 348). The block offered in our 1970 Rarities sale has likely been broken, since the bottom stamps were sound.

With 2018 A.P.S. certificate. Scott value $75,000.00

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