US Stamp Values Scott Cat. 85: 1868 3c George Washington Bank Note Grill. Page 10

o U.S.; General Issues, 1867, 3¢ Rose, D. Grill, #85. Used, “corner crease and vert. crease at left”, Fine, PSAG (2010) cert. Scott $1,250. Estimate $200-250.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Feb 2010, Sale 84, Lot 1356

United States 1867 Grill Issue 1867 3c rose, D. Grill, faint black cancel, well centered, v.f., with 2003 PFC

Cherrystone Auctions, Jan 2010, Sale 201001, Lot 71

3c Rose, D. Grill (Scott 85). Radiant color, clearly-defined grill, bold strike of large quartered cork cancel, few irregular perfs as often found on this issue, Fine, ex Lyons, with 1988 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2009, Sale 982, Lot 5239

United States 1867 Grill Issue 1867 3c rose, D.Grill, neat black cancel, well centered for this difficult issue, v.f., with 2000 PSE cert.

Cherrystone Auctions, Nov 2009, Sale 200911, Lot 3045

United States 1867 Grill Issue 1867 3c rose, D.Grill, used, well centered for this difficult issue, clearly defined grill, fine, with 2005 PFC

Cherrystone Auctions, Nov 2009, Sale 200911, Lot 3046

United States 1867 Grill Issue 1867 3c rose, D.Grill, fancy “Cross” cancel, well centered, fresh and v.f., with 2005 PFC

Cherrystone Auctions, Nov 2009, Sale 200911, Lot 3044

3c Rose, D. Grill (Scott 85). Rich color, prominent grill which is clearly visible from front due to cork cancel, Very Fine, a pretty stamp

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2009, Sale 976, Lot 1384

3c Rose, D. Grill (Scott 85). Brilliant color, clear grill, neat quartered cork and circular datestamp cancels, choice centering with wide and balanced margins, single nibbed perf at upper left EXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1867 3-CENT D GRILL. A BEAUTIFUL AND REMARKABLY FRESH STAMP. With 1993 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90, SMQ $3,000.00). The P.S.E. grade factors in the tiny nibbed perf, yet this stamp still graded 90.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2009, Sale 976, Lot 1383

3c Rose, D. Grill (Scott 85). Bright shade, clearly-defined grill, unobtrusive cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 1971 and 1992 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (VF 80, SMQ value $1,250.00)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2009, Sale 975, Lot 1289

3c Rose, D. Grill (Scott 85). Incredibly well-centered for this scarce grill, bright color, bold large unframed grid cancel EXTREMELY FINE. A TRULY OUTSTANDING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 3-CENT D GRILL. With 2008 P.S.E. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2009, Sale 975, Lot 1288

3c Rose, D. Grill (Scott 85). Unusually choice centering, rich color, clearly-defined grill easily visible from the front, bold strike of circle of wedges cancel EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN OUTSTANDING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1867 3-CENT D GRILL GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. With 1989 and 2006 P.F. certificates. With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95, SMQ price $10,000.00). Only three have graded higher to date and one other share this grade

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2009, Sale 973, Lot 90

o U.S.; General Issues, 1867, 3¢ Rose, D. Grill, #85. Used, pulled perf tip at right, well centered, otherwise Very Fine. Scott $1,250. Estimate price $300-400.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Feb 2009, Sale 80, Lot 1125

o U.S.; General Issues, 1867, 3¢ Rose, D. Grill, #85. Duplex cancel, “small corner crease at top left”, Very Fine appearance, PF (2004) cert. Scott $1,250. Estimate price $250-300.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Feb 2009, Sale 80, Lot 1126

o U.S.; General Issues, 1867, 3¢ Rose, D. Grill, #85. Used, Fine, APS (2005) cert. Scott $1,250. Estimate price $150-180.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Feb 2009, Sale 80, Lot 1127

3c Rose, D. Grill (85). Original gum, choice centering for this difficult issue with unusually wide margins, deep shade, prominent grill with full width visible EXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 1868 3-CENT D GRILL. ONE OF THE FINEST OF THE FEW KNOWN WITH ORIGINAL GUM. It is our hypothesis that two grilling machines were used to make regular-production grilled stamps, beginning in January 1868. Based on our analysis of grill production, the D Grill machine was refitted with the E Grill on or about February 2, 1868. Based on the earliest known usages of the 3c D Grill (2/2/68) and 3c E Grill (2/12/68), it is our theory that the conversion from the D to E Grill took place very soon after sheets of 3c stamps were first run through the D-equipped machine. This would explain the scarcity of 3c D Grill stamps. To determine the rarity of Scott 85 in original-gum condition, we surveyed a series of major United States collections, as well as conducting a Power Search review of our auction records. The results of our survey are as follows: Caspary–none, T. Charlton Henry–none, Concord (1994 Rarities)–unused (no gum), “Connoisseur” (Superior 1992)–this choice original-gum stamp, Cole–unused (no gum), Grunin–unused (no gum), Ishikawa–unused (no gum), Klein-none, Lilly–off-center block (no gum), Seymour–none, Sinkler–Fine block (no gum), Weisman–unused (no gum), West–none, Zoellner–used only, Power Search — three unduplicated copies (the last was offered in 1999). A total of eight sound original-gum stamps in Very Fine (5) or Extremely Fine (3) grades have been certified by the Philatelic Foundation. Therefore, although the Scott Catalogue values an original-gum example at $6,750.00, in real terms the rarity of a sound well-centered 3c D Grill with original gum puts it on a par with the major A and Z Grill rarities (2-8 recorded for each). Ex “Alford”, Connoisseur and Morris. With 1980 and 1994 P.F. certificates

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jan 2009, Sale 968, Lot 106