2c Black, Z. Grill (85B). Original gum, extraordinarily wide margins all around and perfectly centered, well-defined grill, sharp design impression, faint diagonal crease across top -- practically invisible on the face of the stamp

EXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. IN TERMS OF CENTERING AND MARGINS, THIS STAMP RANKS AMONG THE TOP FIVE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 1868 2-CENT Z GRILL.

To form our assessment of this 2c Z Grill, we conducted a survey of approximately 100 auction catalogues for major United States collections sold over the past 60 years. The majority of these collections contained only used or very poor unused examples of 85B. Many accomplished collectors were never able to locate a sound, well-centered original-gum 2c Z Grill. Although the stamp offered here is indeed creased, its appearance far surpasses most of the known copies. In our Sale 814, a sound, Extremely Fine 2c Z Grill realized $24,000 hammer.

With 1987 and 2005 P.F. certificates.

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