US Stamp Values Scott 243: 1893 US$3.00 Columbian Exposition: Columbus Describing His Third Voyage. Page 13

o U.S.; General Issues, 1893, $3 Columbian, #243. Used, small thin and repaired, Fine appearing. Scott $950. Estimate price $150.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 95, Lot 213

() U.S.; General Issues, 1893, $3 Columbian, #243. Unused, tiny thin, Fine to Very Fine appearing. Scott $800. Estimate $150.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 95, Lot 212

1893, $3 Columbian (Scott 243), wonderfully fresh example with a face free cancel, beautiful deep color, neat black “Cincinnati, Dec. 12, 1893” town cancellation, Very Fine. Scott $900. Estimate value $500 – 750.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Oct 2012, Sale 632, Lot 1148

1893, $3 Columbian (Scott 243), visually striking wide natural straight edge at top example, in it’s natural state, among the few that has escaped the reperfor’s tools, a pretty stamp with lively color, light black target cancellation; tiny thin spot at lower right, Fine to Very Fine. Scott $900. Estimate value $400 – 600.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Oct 2012, Sale 632, Lot 1149

$3.00 Columbian (243). Deep rich color and proof-like impression on crisp paper, unusually choice centering with wide and balanced margins, bold strike of New York oval registry cancel at center and with part of blue crayon cancel at left EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE $3.00 COLUMBIAN. A BEAUTIFUL STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT. THIS HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. — ONLY ONE HAS GRADED HIGHER TO DATE. Approximately half the number of $3.00 Columbian stamps was issued compared to each of the $1.00 and $2.00. We do not know the distribution of quantity for the two shades. Sales of the Columbians were disappointing to the post office, as collectors complained about the high price of the stamps. Plans to print additional quantities were cancelled. There was speculation in the dollar-value Columbians at the time they were issued, and the quantity which were used was fairly small. From our 1999 Hillmer sale, where Scott Catalogue value was exactly the same. With 1991 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95, SMQ price $5,000.00). Only one has graded higher to date (at 98) and only five others share this grade.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2012, Sale 1027, Lot 126

$3.00 Olive Green, Columbian (Scott 243a). Intense color and proof-like impression in the distinct Olive Green shade, choice centering with well-proportioned margins, neat strike of circular datestamp at left, almost perfectly centered EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE $3.00 COLUMBIAN IN THE OLIVE GREEN SHADE. Approximately half the number of $3.00 Columbian stamps was issued compared to each of the $1.00 and $2.00. We do not know the distribution of quantity for the two shades. Sales of the Columbians were disappointing to the post office, as collectors complained about the high price of the stamps. Plans to print additional quantities were cancelled. There was speculation in the dollar-value Columbians at the time they were issued, and the quantity which were used was fairly small. With 2002 P.F. certificate.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2012, Sale 1027, Lot 127

1893, $3 Columbian (243), remarkably well centered within beautifully balanced margins with luxurious color, bright white paper and full original gum with just the barest trace of hinging; wonderfully fresh and Extremely Fine. SSV $2,600. Scott $1,600 Expertization: 1975, 1986 & 2006 PF Certificates, the last graded XF 90.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 346, Lot 750

1893, $3 Columbian (243), centered with near mathematical precision amid generous, well balanced margins with rich, cool color and very lightly hinged original gum; fresh and choice Extremely Fine. Scott value $1,600 Expertization: 1990 & 1999 PF Certificates.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 346, Lot 749

1893, $3 Columbian (243), wonderfully fresh and mathematically centered with large balanced margins, vibrant color and full, never hinged original gum; tiny corner perf crease at upper right (not mentioned on the accompanying certificate); nonetheless, Extremely Fine to Superb and choice. Scott price $5,250 A LOVELY, RARELY SEEN HIGH GRADE $3 COLUMBIAN WITH NEVER HINGED ORIGINAL GUM. Expertization: clear 1997 PF Certificate with light Richter handstamp on reverse.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 345, Lot 268

United States 1893 Columbian Exposition Issue 1893 $3 yellow green, bright color, well centered, h.r., v.f., with 2003 PSE cert.

Cherrystone Auctions, Sep 2012, Sale 201209, Lot 69

1893, $3 Columbian (Scott 243), faint black cancellation, well centered choice example with extremely large margins and dazzling rich color; very light pressed out horizontal crease, Very Fine, 2010 Weiss certificate. Scott $900. Estimate value $600 – 800.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Aug 2012, Sale 631, Lot 920

1893, $3 Columbian (Scott 243), light “1894” year date cancellation, extremely handsome example with gleaming bright color and a desirable sock on the nose cancel; small thin spot, Fine to Very Fine. Scott $900. Estimate price $350 – 500.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Aug 2012, Sale 631, Lot 921

1893, $3 Columbian (Scott 243), a fresh, attractive example of this stamp, sure to please, o.g., lightly hinged, Very Fine to Extremely Fine, 1995 and 2009 PF Certs. Scott $1,600. Estimate value $750 – 1,000. (Image 1)

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jun 2012, Sale 630, Lot 1551

1893, $3 Columbian (Scott 243), o.g., paper hinge remnant; shorter perfs at left, thin under hinge, Fine appearance. Scott $1,600. Estimate value $300 – 400. (Image 1)

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jun 2012, Sale 630, Lot 1552

1893, $3 Columbian (Scott 243), gorgeous bottom margin imprint pair, part o.g. (albeit a bit messy), completely sound and choice multiple with spectacular deep rich color, Very Fine. Scott $3,200. Estimate $1,500 – 2,000. (Image 1)

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jun 2012, Sale 630, Lot 1553