3c Rose, Z. Grill (85C). Original gum, lightly hinged, clearly-defined grill, bright shade and crisp impression, well-balanced margins

EXTREMELY FINE. THE 1868 3-CENT Z GRILL IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF THE REGULARLY-PRODUCED GRILLED ISSUES. THE RARITY OF THIS STAMP IN SUCH PRISTINE ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION CANNOT POSSIBLY BE OVERSTATED.

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 Very Fine centering. The editors of Stamp Market Quarterly have had no basis to value a stamp graded better than 85 -- the highest grade awarded to date is to the stamp offered here.

With 2006 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, VF 80; SMQ $25,000.00).

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