US Stamps Price Scott 120: 1869 24c Pictorial The Declaration of Independence. Page 9

24c Green & Violet (Scott 120). Wide and balanced margins, intense colors and impressions on bright paper, cork cancel EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE. This marvelous used 24c 1869 defies the norms of this issue. Although the space between subjects on the 24c 1869 frame plate provided ample room for perforations, the National Bank Note Co. employees had difficulty applying lines of perforations in a uniform manner. Therefore, stamps with balanced margins on all four sides represent a tiny fraction of the original population. Surviving used examples also show the tendency of postal clerks to zealously cancel high-denomination stamps that were typically used on mail to foreign countries or on heavy registered letters. In this stamp we have a degree of perfection rarely achieved by the manufacturer and a fortuitously merciful cancellation, leaving most of the design unobscured. Ex Senchuk. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98, SMQ value $13,000.00). This is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve this grade.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2012, Sale 1034, Lot 129

24c Green & Violet (Scott 120). Beautiful colors, cork cancel, fresh and Very Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 1033, Lot 4062

24c Green & Violet (Scott 120). Outstanding centering with Jumbo margins, deep rich colors on fresh bright paper, neat rosette cancel at bottom leaves the central vignette completely visible EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 JUMBO BY P.S.E. The vignette of this design is based on a famous painting by John Trumbull that hangs in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. This design has been widely used, including on the back of the 1976 $2.00 bill. The engraver of the stamp, James Smillie, was able to include all 42 people shown in the painting, no small feat when one considers the space is less than an inch wide and less than a half-inch tall. Surviving used examples also show the tendency of postal clerks to zealously cancel high-denomination stamps that were typically used on mail to foreign countries or on heavy registered letters. Not so the example offered here. With 2006 P.F. certificate (XF-Superb 95). With 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95 Jumbo, SMQ $3,500.00 as 95, $13,000.00 as 98). Only one has graded higher (at 98) and only three others share this grade.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 1032, Lot 3195

24c Green & Violet, Double Grill (120 var). Clear second grill, bright color, exceptional centering for this scarce variety with wide and well-balanced margins, unobtrusive strike of cork cancel leaves vignette clearly visible EXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS THE FINEST OF ONLY FIVE EXAMPLES OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL WITH DOUBLE GRILL WE HAVE OFFERED DURING THE PAST 15 YEARS. With 2010 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90, unpriced in SMQ as double grill)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 1032, Lot 3196

24c Green & Violet, Center Inverted (120b). Deep rich colors and detailed impressions, bright paper, rosette cancel leaves vignette clearly visible, tiny trivial corner crease at bottom right mentioned on P.F. certificates, but not on P.S.E. certificate VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN UNUSUALLY ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE INVERT. ONLY 89 USED EXAMPLES OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL INVERT ARE RECORDED. Our census of 24c 1869 Inverts, recently updated at our website at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/120b/120b.pdf , contains four unused, 83 used singles, one used pair, one on cover and the unique block of four, for a total of 94 copies of the perforated 24c Invert. Census No. 120b-CAN-55. Ex Seymour, Ishikawa, Dauer and “Beverly Hills”. Small “HFC” (Colman) backstamp. With 2011 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates (F 70, SMQ price $63,500.00). Only one has graded higher (at 75). The Scott value is for “fine centered copies with only minimal faults.”

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 1032, Lot 3200

o U.S.; General Issues, 1869, 24¢ green & violet, #120. Used, small thin, Average to Fine. Scott $700. Estimate value $100.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 95, Lot 183

1869, 24¢ green & violet (Scott 120), fresh and pleasing example with extremely light cancel, rarely found on used 24c Pictorials, a flawless used stamp with brilliant color, light black cancellation, Fine. Scott $700. Estimate price $200 – 300.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Oct 2012, Sale 632, Lot 1035

1869, 24¢ green & violet, center inverted (Scott 120b), handsome example of this popular inverted center, extremely large margins and beautiful rich colors, only 89 examples are known to exist, and this is one of the more attractive examples, extremely light black cancellation; tiny corner crease at top right, small thin spot at right, and a bit of faint toning in the top margin, Fine, 2006 P.F. certificate. Scott $37,500. Estimate price $10,000 – 15,000.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Oct 2012, Sale 632, Lot 1036

24c Green & Violet, Center Inverted (Scott 120b). Bright colors, unusually choice centering for this difficult issue, light strike of cork cancel leaves entire design clearly visible, also with trace of red transit cancel at upper left VERY FINE AND CHOICE. THIS STAMP IS EASILY ONE OF THE FINEST USED EXAMPLES OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL INVERT IN EXISTENCE. THE COLORS ARE FRESH, THE MARGINS ARE WIDE, THE CANCEL IS UNOBTRUSIVE, AND IT IS COMPLETELY SOUND. ONLY ELEVEN CONFIRMED SOUND COPIES ARE CONTAINED IN OUR CENSUS. Our census of 24c 1869 Inverts, recently updated at our website at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/120b/120b.pdf , contains four unused, 83 used singles, one used pair, one on cover and the unique block of four, for a total of 90 copies of the perforated 24c Invert. Of these, only eleven are confirmed as sound. An additional ten copies have not been seen in some time and need to be reexamined for condition. Of the eleven confirmed as sound, only two or three have decent centering comparable to the example offered here. Census No. 120b-CAN-63. Ex Cole, Koppersmith and McKinney. With 1988 and 2002 P.F. certificates.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2012, Sale 1027, Lot 17

24c Green & Violet (Scott 120). Unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, deep rich colors and proof-like impressions on bright paper, unobtrusive strike of circle of wedges cancel leaves entire design clearly visible EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. A DIFFICULT ISSUE TO OBTAIN IN SUCH SUPERB CONDITION. The vignette of this design is based on a famous painting by John Trumbull that hangs in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. This design has been widely used, including on the back of the 1976 $2.00 bill. The engraver of the stamp, James Smillie, was able to include all 42 people shown in the painting, no small feat when one considers the space is less than an inch wide and less than a half-inch tall. Surviving used examples also show the tendency of postal clerks to zealously cancel high-denomination stamps that were typically used on mail to foreign countries or on heavy registered letters. Not so the example offered here. With 2001 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $3,100.00). Only four have graded higher to date (the highest at 98).

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2012, Sale 1027, Lot 12

P 1869, 24¢ green & violet, center inverted, plate proof on card (120aP4), bottom sheet margin single with large margins and bright color, fresh and Extremely Fine. Only 100 sets of the inverts were produced. Scott price $2,750

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 346, Lot 713

1869, 24¢ green & violet (120), wonderfully bright and fresh with choice, virtually perfect centering, luminous color and a finely detailed impression; very small part original gum; a superlative, Extremely Fine to Superb Gem. SMQ price $37,500 for o.g., $7,400 for no gum. Scott $8,000 for o.g. ONE OF ONLY TWO MINT/UNUSED 24¢ PICTORIALS TO RECEIVE A PSE 95, THE HIGHEST GRADE YET AWARDED TO THIS STAMP. Expertization: 2002 PF and 2009 PSE Certificates, the latter graded XF-Sup 95. Provenance: Minervino.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 345, Lot 154

o 1869, 24¢ green & violet, center inverted (120b), a lovely used horizontal pair, remarkably well centered and fresh with neatly struck rosette cancels that allow the inverted vignettes to be clearly visible, Very Fine and choice. Scott $115,000 EASILY THE FINER OF ONLY TWO RECORDED PAIRS AND ONE OF JUST THREE RECORDED MULTIPLES OF THE 24¢ PICTORIAL INVERT. Expertization: with 1970 PF and 2007 PSE Certificates and bearing the light handstamp of Pemberton, Wilson & Co., well-known 19th century stamp English stamp dealers. Provenance: Zoellner. Given that the large majority of 24¢ inverts are faulty, the fact that both stamps in this pair are sound is simply miraculous.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 345, Lot 156

1869, 24¢ green & violet, without grill (120a), well centered with brilliant, deep color, a razor-sharp, prooflike impression and full original gum; wonderfully fresh and choice Very Fine. Scott price $15,000 A BEAUTIFUL STAMP WITH THE COLOR AND IMPRESSION SO PROOFLIKE, THE INTRICATE DETAILS OF THE VIGNETTE ARE FULLY VISIBLE— CERTAINLY ONE OF THE FINEST OF THE VERY FEW UNGRILLED 24¢ RECORDED. Expertization: 2004 PSE Certificate. Provenance: Beckley. This is a PSE-certified stamp and PSE does not publish their records for non-graded stamps; by way of comparison, the Philatelic Foundation has certified about 15 examples, only two of which are sound and well centered with full original gum.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 345, Lot 155

1869, 24¢ green & violet (Scott 120), neat black cancellation, nicely centered with extremely intense color, a lovely stamp, Extremely Fine, 1985 P.F. certificate. Scott $700. Estimate $500 – 750.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Aug 2012, Sale 631, Lot 814