US Stamps Prices Scott 85C: 1868 3c George Washington Bank Note Grill. Page 4

1867, 3¢ rose, Z. grill (85C), an extraordinary bottom sheet margin single with full selvage; nicely centered and remarkably fresh with a well defined grill and full, lightly hinged original gum; a choice, Very Fine Gem. Scott price $25,000 CERTAINLY ONE OF THE FINEST OF THE FEW SOUND MINT 3¢ Z. GRILLS EXTANT. Expertization: 1998 & 2009 PF Certificates. Provenance: Lilly, Whitman.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 345, Lot 115

o U.S.; General Issues, 1867, 3¢ Rose, Z. Grill, #85C. Blue grid cancel, “light diagonal crease at top right”, Fine appearance, PF (2012) cert. Scott $3,600. Estimate price $400-500.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Aug 2012, Sale 94, Lot 1140

3c Rose, Z. Grill (Scott 85C). Clearly-defined grill points, bold strike of Star fancy cancel, three short perfs at right, otherwise Fine, with 1969 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (G 30, SMQ value $800.00)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1026, Lot 1232

3c Rose, Z. Grill (85C). Brilliant color, clear impression, neat parallel lines manuscript cancel, insignificant nibbed perf at top, otherwise Very Fine, with 1989 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as handstamp cancel

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1026, Lot 1231

3c Rose, Z. Grill (Scott 85C). Radiant color, clearly-defined grill, neat strike of circle of wedges cancel and part of circular datestamp at lower left VERY FINE. A PRETTY USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 3-CENT Z GRILL. A scarce stamp in sound condition. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80, SMQ $4,000.00)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1025, Lot 119

3c Rose, Z. Grill (Scott 85C). Choice centering with unusually wide margins all around, clearly-defined grill, clear strike of rosette cancel, radiant color EXTREMELY FINE. A JUMBO USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 3-CENT Z GRILL. A DIFFICULT STAMP TO FIND IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION. With 2006 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85 Jumbo, SMQ $6,200.00 as 85, $9,600.00 as 90). Only four have graded higher to date and only one other shares this grade.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1025, Lot 118

3c Rose, Z. Grill (Scott 85C). Radiant color, crisp impression, bright paper, clearly-defined grill, bold strike of rosette cancel, well-balanced margins EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 3-CENT Z GRILL. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE STAMP IN THIS CHOICE USED CONDITION. 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. With 1987 and 2003 P.F. certificates.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1024, Lot 144

1867, 3¢ rose, Z. grill (85C), fresh color, strong grill and nearly full original gum; internal “bend” in center, otherwise just about Fine for this. Scott value $25,000 THE UNUSED 3¢ Z. GRILL WITH ORIGINAL GUM IS EXCEEDINGLY RARE IN ANY CONDITION.

Matthew Bennett International, Feb 2012, Sale 340, Lot 188

o U.S.; General Issues, 1867, 3¢ Rose, Z. Grill, #85C. Used, 2 light creases, tiny thin at top, Fine appearance. Scott $3,500. Estimate price $500-600.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Feb 2012, Sale 92, Lot 895

o U.S.; General Issues, 1867, 3¢ Rose, Z. Grill, #85C. Blue grid cancel, Fine, PF (1981) cert. Scott $3,600. Estimate value $700-800.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Feb 2012, Sale 92, Lot 894

3c Rose, Z. Grill (Scott 85C). Radiant color, well-defined grill, light strike of target cancel, tiny vertical tear at top left, Fine appearance

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2011, Sale 1014, Lot 1232

3c Rose, Z. Grill (Scott 85C). Huge margins with almost mathematically perfect centering, long and full perforations all around and clearly-defined grill, rich color, cancelled by “Peoria Ill. May 4” circular datestamp and bold letter “B” (postmaster was George C. Bestor) EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1868 3-CENT Z GRILL IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE — MADE MORE DESIRABLE BY THE STRIKING “B” CANCEL. P.S.E. HAS AWARDED THIS STAMP THE GRADE OF SUPERB 98, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AND ONLY EXAMPLE TO DATE. 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. Our review of past auctions, including Power Search, found precious few sound copies with Extremely Fine centering, and none that rival this stamp. P.S.E. encapsulated (Superb 98, SMQ $44,000.00)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2011, Sale 1014, Lot 1231

o 1867, 3¢ rose, Z. grill (85C), lovely, fresh color and wide margins with a light Chelsea, Mich. town cancel F.-V.F. Scott $3,750 SOUND, FRESH AND LIGHTLY CANCELLED 3¢ Z. GRILLS ARE RARELY ENCOUNTERED. Expertization: 1990 PSE Certificate for cover.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2011, Sale 338, Lot 1762

1867, 3¢ rose, Z. grill (Scott 85C), neat black grid cancel, quite a handsome example of this scarce Z grill, beautiful rich color; light creases, F.-V.F. Scott $3,750.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jul 2011, Sale 625, Lot 726

o 1867, 3¢ rose, Z. grill (85C), nicely centered with extra wide margins and a neat large “C” cancel, reperforated at right; fresh, F.-V.F. appearance and most attractive. Scott value $3,750 Expertization: 1988 PF Certificate.

Matthew Bennett International, Mar 2011, Sale 337, Lot 2545