US Stamps Price Scott 85: 1868 3c George Washington Bank Note Grill. Page 6

Scott #85, 3c Rose, “D” grill, exceptionally well centered and margined, warm color, unusually light and face-free cancel, extremely fine; 2005 PF certificate.

Spink Shreves Galleries, Nov 2012, Sale 141, Lot 59

United States 1867 Grill Issue 1867 3c rose, D.Grill, neat black cancel, usual centering, fine, with 2003 PSE cert.

Cherrystone Auctions, Oct 2012, Sale 201210, Lot 64

United States 1867 Grill Issue 1867 3c rose, D.Grill, light black cancel, well centered, rich color, fresh and v.f. example of this difficult stamp, with 2000 PFC

Cherrystone Auctions, Oct 2012, Sale 201210, Lot 63

United States 1867 Grill Issue 1867 3c rose, D.Grill, black cancel, well centered with wide margins on all sides, fully intact perforations, bright color, fresh and v.f., with 1994 and 2002 PFCs

Cherrystone Auctions, Oct 2012, Sale 201210, Lot 62

3c Rose, D. Grill (Scott 85). Wide margins and beautifully centered, bright color, clearly-defined grill, neat strike of geometric cork cancel typically found on the 3c D Grill, tiny thin spot, Extremely Fine appearance

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 1033, Lot 4045

3c Rose, D. Grill (Scott 85). Perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, brilliant color, clearly-defined grill, grid cancel EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 3-CENT D GRILL IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE. THIS REMARKABLE STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY BOTH P.S.E. AND THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION. THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED. 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 3, 1868. Based on the earliest known uses of the 3c D Grill (2/1/68) 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 2c and 3c stamps were first run through the D-equipped machine. This would explain the scarcity of 3c D Grill stamps. With 2006 P.F. certificate (Superb 98). With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98, SMQ price $27,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded and only one other example has achieved this grade. The other P.S.E. 98 was offered in our sale of the Natalee Grace collection (Sale 1024, lot 142)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 1032, Lot 3148

1867, 3¢ rose, D. grill (Scott 85), an extraordinary GEM quality example of this tough stamp, an exemplary example with huge JUMBO margins and gorgeous rich color, the most remarkable example we have ever offered, deserving placement in the finest collection, light black cancellation, Extremely Fine, 2012 P.F. certificate. Scott $1,100. Estimate price $1,500 – 2,000.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Oct 2012, Sale 632, Lot 1002

United States 1867 Grill Issue 1867 3c rose, D.Grill, used, well centered for this issue, v.f., with 1992 PFC

Cherrystone Auctions, Sep 2012, Sale 201209, Lot 46

o 1867, 3¢ rose, D. grill (85), virtually perfectly centered with large balanced margins, remarkably strong color and a beautifully struck target cancel; a choice, Extremely Fine Gem. Scott $1,100 IT IS A VERY RARE 3¢ D. GRILL INDEED, WHERE FRESH COLOR, EXCEPTIONAL CENTERING AND ATTRACTIVE CANCELLATION COME TOGETHER ON ONE STAMP. Expertization: 2002 PSE Certificate. Provenance: Twigg-Smith. The 3¢ D. grill is notoriously elusive in choice condition. Invariably, they are washed-out, off-center or heavily cancelled—often, all three. In addition, a large percentage are also faulty. The present example, with none of these maladies, is certainly among the very finest examples extant.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 345, Lot 113

1867, 3¢ rose, D. grill (Scott 85), neatly struck segmented cork cancellation, decent copy of this tough stamp, especially intense color, completely sound and choice, Very Good to Fine, 2009 Weiss certificate. Scott $1,100. Estimate price $300 – 400.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Aug 2012, Sale 631, Lot 784

1867, 3¢ rose, D. grill (Scott 85), light fancy cancel, unusually well centered example of this tough stamp, attractive and desirable, Very Fine, 2003 and 2010 PF graded cert (VF 80). Scott $1,100. Estimate price $1,000 – 1,500. (Image 1)

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jun 2012, Sale 630, Lot 1296

1867, 3¢ rose, D. grill (Scott 85), cork cancel, Very Good to Fine sound, 2012 PF certificate. Scott $1,100. Estimate $200 – 300. (Image 1)

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jun 2012, Sale 630, Lot 1297

3c Rose, D. Grill (Scott 85). Three wide margins, light strike of New York circular datestamp which breaks paper slightly, otherwise Very Fine, an attractive stamp, with 1982 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1026, Lot 1228

3c Rose, D. Grill (Scott 85). Radiant color as fresh as the day it was printed, bright paper, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins, neat strike of radial cork cancel EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 3-CENT D GRILL MAY WELL BE THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE. THIS PHENOMENAL STAMP HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E., WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE. 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 3, 1868. Based on the earliest known uses of the 3c D Grill (2/1/68) 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. Ex Ishikawa and Hinrichs. With 1993 and 2004 P.F. certificate. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98, SMQ value $27,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded to date and only one other has achieved this grade.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1024, Lot 142

3c Rose, D. Grill (Scott 85). Unused (no gum), clear grill points, brilliant color, few perf flaws especially at left, otherwise Very Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2012, Sale 1021, Lot 243