US Stamps Prices Scott Catalog 125 – 1875 3c Pictorial Re-issue Locomotive. Page 6

3c Blue, Re-Issue (Scott 125). Bright color, neat strike of 1883 double oval cancel, small corner crease at top right and single repaired perf at top right FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE. ONLY FIFTEEN HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED AS GENUINE BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION Our comprehensive census records found only fifteen used examples of the 3c 1869 Pictorial Re-Issue. All have been certified by the P.F. Of these 15 copies, only three are sound or potentially sound — all have relatively low certificate numbers and should be re-examined for condition. With 2009 P.F. certificate.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2009, Sale 973, Lot 108

3c Blue, Re-Issue (Scott 125). Original gum, very lightly hinged, rich color, choice centering VERY FINE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE WITH ORIGINAL GUM Original sales figures show that among the 1869 Pictorial Re-Issues, the 3c and 90c stamps accounted for the smallest number sold (1,406 and 1,356, respectively). Overall, the 1869’s were popular with stamp collectors, far outselling the 1851-60 and 1861-66 Re-Issue sets. However, the 90c stamp’s high denomination and the availability of ordinary 3c stamps limited demand. Today, both are rare, and handling over the years has not been kind to most of the surviving examples. With 2001 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2009, Sale 972, Lot 3126

UNITED STATES 1875 RE-ISSUE OF THE 1869 ISSUE 1875 3c blue, fresh color, small h.r., fine, with 2006 PFC

Cherrystone Auctions, Mar 2009, Sale 200903, Lot 126

3c Blue, Re-Issue (Scott 125). Full original gum, deep rich color, unusually choice centering for this difficult issue with wide and balanced margins EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLES OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE IN EXISTENCE. THIS IS THE MOST DIFFICULT DENOMINATION TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION. A STAMP OF THE HIGHEST CALIBER, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. Original sales figures show that among the 1869 Pictorial Re-Issues, the 3c and 90c stamps accounted for the smallest number of units sold (1,406 and 1,356, respectively). Overall, the 1869’s were popular with stamp collectors, far outselling the 1851-60 and 1861-66 Re-Issue sets. However, the 90c stamp’s high denomination and the availability of ordinary 3c stamps limited demand. Today, both are rare, and handling over the years has not been kind to most of the surviving examples. The stamp offered here is the finest we have ever encountered. With 1986 and 1994 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (OGph, XF-Superb 95). This is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achieve this grade. The SMQ does not even price this issue above the grade of 90, which is the next-highest grade awarded to date.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jan 2009, Sale 968, Lot 162

3c Blue, Re-Issue (Scott 125). Unused (no gum), radiant color on crisp paper, well-balanced margins VERY FINE AND CHOICE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL RE-ISSUE. With 1986 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2008, Sale 963, Lot 708

3c Blue, Re-Issue (Scott 125). Unused (no gum), extraordinarily well-centered, bright color, nibbed perf, thin spot and faint pinkish stains on back (do not show through), otherwise Very Fine, with 1965 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2008, Sale 962, Lot 2408

3c Blue, Re-Issue (Scott 125). Unused (no gum), exceptionally well-centered for this difficult value, brilliant color on crisp paper, fine impression EXTREMELY FINE. POSSIBLY THE FINEST AVAILABLE CONDITION FOR AN UNUSED 1869 PICTOIAL RE-ISSUE VALUE. With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90, SMQ $4,650.00). There are only three other 90’s in the P.S.E. Population Report (two original gum, one unused, no gum), and none higher

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2008, Sale 962, Lot 2407

UNITED STATES 1875 RE-ISSUE OF THE 1869 ISSUE 1875 3c blue, beautiful color on bright white paper, centered slightly to right, h.r., pencil notation on reverse, fresh and fine example of this scarce re-issue, only 1,406 issued, with 1990 PFC

Cherrystone Auctions, Mar 2008, Sale 200803, Lot 171