US Stamp Price Scott 243: 1893 US$3.00 Columbian Exposition: Columbus Describing His Third Voyage. Page 11

1893, $3 Columbian (Scott 243), regummed, bold rich shade, a great looking stamp; small tear at top, otherwise Fine to Very Fine. Scott $800. Estimate value $350 – 500.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Apr 2013, Sale 636, Lot 205

1893, $3 Columbian (Scott 243), slightly disturbed o.g., lovely fresh example with marvelous rich color; reperforated at top, otherwise Fine to Very Fine. Scott $1,600. Estimate $500 – 750.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Apr 2013, Sale 636, Lot 202

1893, $3 Columbian (Scott 243), without gum, unbelievably fresh and choice example, nicely centered with incredible color; light diagonal crease at center, otherwise Very Fine. Scott $800. Estimate price $500 – 750.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Apr 2013, Sale 636, Lot 203

1893, $3 Columbian (Scott 243), without gum, choice appearing example with vivid color and clear impression; tiny pinhole – difficult to see, otherwise Fine to Very Fine. Scott $800. Estimate $350 – 500.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Apr 2013, Sale 636, Lot 206

$3.00 Columbian (Scott 243). Block of four, large part original gum, h.r., intense color and impression, top right stamp thin spots, Fine appearance, a scarce block

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2013, Sale 1040, Lot 1552

$3.00 Columbian (Scott 243). Well-centered, deep color on bright paper, New York oval cancel, Very Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2013, Sale 1040, Lot 1507

$3.00 Columbian (Scott 243). Original gum, h.r., intense color, few minor toned perfs, Fine appearance, blue backstamp

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2013, Sale 1040, Lot 1506

$3.00 Columbian (Scott 243). Disturbed original gum, with plate no. 106 and part imprint selvage at bottom, bright shade, Very Fine, a scarce plate number single, with 1991 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2013, Sale 1040, Lot 1505

$3.00 Columbian (Scott 243). Original gum, lightly hinged, pretty shade, wide margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2012 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90, SMQ price $2,500.00), back in the day a $3.00 Columbian with such wide margins would have easily earned the “Gem” qualifier

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2013, Sale 1040, Lot 1504

$3.00 Columbian (Scott 243). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and impression, perfectly centered with wide and balanced margins EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE $3.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. With 1990 and 1999 P.F. and 2012 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98, SMQ value $8,600.00). Only one has graded higher and three others share this grade.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2013, Sale 1040, Lot 1503

$3.00 Columbian (243). Mint N.H., brilliant color on post-office fresh paper, gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins, long and full perforations all around EXTREMELY FINE GEM. AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $3.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE IN THE FINEST CONDITION ATTAINABLE. THIS FANTASTIC STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND ONE OF ONLY FOUR AMONG BOTH SHADES TO ACHIEVE THIS LOFTY GRADE. The design for the $3.00 Columbian was taken from a painting by Spanish artist Francisco Jover Casanova (1836-1890) and depicts Columbus describing his third voyage. Another of his paintings was used as the theme for the 8c Columbian. The $3.00 Columbian is one of the most difficult of the dollar values to obtain in such choice condition. Only 24,713 were issued, which is approximately half the number of the $1.00 and $2.00. The margins are generally narrow on this denomination. The stamp offered here is the exception to the rule. It is beautifully centered, the color and paper are bright and fresh, and the gum is pristine. It is truly one of the finest in existence. With 2010 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95, SMQ value $77,500.00). This is the highest grade awarded by P.S.E. Only one other Scott 243 and two Scott 243a (Olive Green) have equaled this grade.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2013, Sale 1040, Lot 1502

Scott #243, $3.00 Columbian, strong color and clear impression, o.g. which is slightly disturbed, h.r., tiny shallow thinned spot not noted on the certificate, otherwise very fine; 1975 APS certificate.

Spink Shreves Galleries, Mar 2013, Sale 142, Lot 246

Scott #243, $3.00 Columbian, lovely rich color and a crisp impression, o.g. that certificate states is slightly disturbed and even that may be harsh, nearly very fine; 2004 PSE certificate (F-VF 75; SMQ price $1,200.00).

Spink Shreves Galleries, Mar 2013, Sale 142, Lot 247

Scott #243, $3.00 Columbian, attractive used example, well centered, lightly cancelled, fresh and very fine.

Spink Shreves Galleries, Mar 2013, Sale 142, Lot 248

Scott #243, $3.00 Columbian, handsome and choice bottom sheet-margin imprint and plate no. 106 block of four, beautifully centered, rich color and crisp impression, intact perforations, o.g., top stamps with partly disturbed o.g. from hinge removal and the bottom stamps lightly hinged, very fine, with the bottom pair extremely fine; a desirable multiple of this high value commemorative; 2013 PF certificate.

Spink Shreves Galleries, Mar 2013, Sale 142, Lot 249