3c Rose, Z. Grill (85C). Original gum, clearly-defined grill, bright shade and crisp impression, almost impossible centering for this issue with balanced margins

EXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEPTIONAL AND EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL-GUM STAMP. THE 1868 3-CENT Z GRILL IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF THE REGULARLY-PRODUCED GRILLED ISSUES, ESPECIALLY IN THIS CENTERED, ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION. THIS STAMP IS GRADED XF 90 BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION -- THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.

The 3c Z Grill was in production for only a short period of time before the device was replaced with the F Grill. Only a small number of 3c sheets were fed thru the Z Grill, which accounts for the rarity of surviving examples, especially in sound, original-gum condition. Our review of past auctions, including Power Search, found precious few sound copies with at least Very Fine centering.

With 2021 P.F. certificate (XF 90). This is the highest grade awarded by the P.F. to an original gum Scott 85C (shared by one other). By way of comparison, the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. is VF 80 (two examples).

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