Sale 1247 — United States Stamps

Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 14-15 December, 2021

Category — 1867-68 Grilled Issue (Scott 79-85E)

Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
164
 
Sale 1247, Lot 164, 1867-68 Grilled Issue (Scott 79-85E)2c Black, Z. Grill (85B). Clearly-defined grill, crisp impression and attractive shade, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, neat strike of rimless grid cancel

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 2-CENT Z GRILL. THIS IS A DIFFICULT ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN SUCH OUTSTANDING CONDITION.

The plates used to print the Black Jacks did not provide enough space between subjects for the large 12-gauge perf holes. Consequently, most Black Jack stamps have perfs touching the design on one or two sides. This scarcity of four-margin copies multiplies exponentially when the Z Grill is factored into the equation. 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.

Ex "Natalee Grace". With 1985, 2004 P.F. and 2003 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $12,000.00). Only two grade higher (at 98).

Scott No.
Den.
Cond.
Tot.
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
70J
75
75J
80
80J
85
85J
90
90J
95
95J
98
98J
100
100J
85B
2c
65
6
5
16
0
7
4
0
2
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
SMQ US
Scott No.
Den.
Cond.
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
70J
75
75J
80
80J
85
85J
90
90J
95
95J
98
98J
100
100J
85B
Used
-
-
-
-
-
$450
-
$725
-
$1,000
-
$1,350
-
$2,500
-
$4,750
-
$12,000
-
$31,000
-
-
-
P.S.E. Population Report and SMQ as of December 13th, 2021
1,200
5,500