Cost of US Stamp Scott 245: 1893 US$5.00 Columbian Exposition: Columbus. Page 12

Scott #245, $5.00 Columbian, single tied by Oct. 27, 1893 World’s Fair Station machine cancel on local cover with illustration of Columbus painting by Moro, in addition there is a 10c Columbian registration stamp also tied by the Expo cancel, cover opened at top and left, very fine; an incredibly rare cover combining the top value of the set on an illustrated cover with the Expo cancel and the registration stamp; 2012 PF certificate.

Spink Shreves Galleries, Nov 2012, Sale 141, Lot 114

United States 1893 Columbian Exposition Issue 1893 $5 black, bright color, l.h., fine, with 1997 PFC

Cherrystone Auctions, Oct 2012, Sale 201210, Lot 114

$5.00 Columbian (Scott 245). Mint N.H., sharp proof-like impression on crisp paper VERY FINE. A SCARCE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN ISSUE. With copy of 2000 P.F. certificate for block and 2006 P.S.E. certificate as single

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 1033, Lot 4136

$5.00 Columbian (Scott 245). Choice centering with wide margins, intense shade and proof-like impression, neat strike of New York 1894 circular datestamp EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN COMBINING CENTERING, FRESHNESS AND AN ATTRACTIVE CANCEL. The dollar-value Columbians are extremely difficult to obtain in superb used condition. This denomination was not designed to pay any actual postage rate, and collectors protested the high cost. Only 21,844 were sold, and only a small percentage of those were used, either on philatelic covers or on heavy registered parcels. The stamps on parcels or registered mail were frequently heavily cancelled, and the large package wrappers were susceptible to damage. The stamp offered here is a notable exception. It is attractively cancelled and has balanced margins. With 2000 and 2005 P.F. certificates. With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $6,500.00). Only one example has graded higher, offered in the Natalie Grace collection (Siegel Sale 1027, lot 130)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 1032, Lot 3361

o U.S.; General Issues, 1893, $5 Columbian, #245. Used, short perfs, Fine. Scott $1,400. Estimate value $300.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 95, Lot 219

() U.S.; General Issues, 1893, $5 Columbian, #245. Regummed, small thins, Average. Scott $1,250. Estimate value $250.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 95, Lot 218

() U.S.; General Issues, 1893, $5 Columbian, #245. Unused, Fine, PF (1978) cert. Scott $1,250. Estimate $300.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 95, Lot 217

1893, $5 Columbian (Scott 245), attractive large margined example with beautiful rich color and finely detailed impression, very pretty, disturbed o.g.; pinpoint thin speck at upper right, Very Fine. Scott $2,500. Estimate price $750 – 1,000.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Oct 2012, Sale 632, Lot 1152

1893, $5 Columbian (Scott 245), remarkable example showing wide natural straight edge along top margin, with the deepest and richest color you’ll ever see on a $5 Columbian, a marvelous flawless stamp, without gum, Very Fine. Scott $1,250. Estimate price $750 – 1,000.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Oct 2012, Sale 632, Lot 1153

1893, $5 Columbian (Scott 245), handsome example with bold color, a very pleasing example, expertly regummed; reperforated at top, Very Fine. Scott $1,250. Estimate price $600 – 800.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Oct 2012, Sale 632, Lot 1154

$5.00 Columbian (Scott 245). Perfectly centered with unusually wide margins, intense shade and proof-like impression, long and full perforations all around, unobtrusive cancel at upper right EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A PHENOMENALLY BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE $5.00 COLUMBIAN. THIS STUNNING STAMP HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE. The dollar-value Columbians are extremely difficult to obtain in superb used condition. For the five denominations a total of seven copies have graded 98 and none have graded higher, as illustrated in the chart below. None has graded 98 for the $1.00 and $4.00, and this is the only $5.00 to receive this grade. The denomination was not designed to pay any actual postage rate, and collectors protested the high cost. Only 21,844 were sold, and only a small percentage of those were used, either on philatelic covers or on heavy registered parcels. The stamps on parcels or registered mail were frequently heavily cancelled, and the large package wrappers were susceptible to damage. The stamp offered here is a notable exception. It is lightly cancelled, the paper is fresh and bright, the impression and shade and beautiful, and it is perfectly centered. It is truly a condition rarity. With 1988 P.F. and 2009 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98, SMQ does not price this in the grade of 98, SMQ price $6,850.00 as 95). This is the highest grade awarded to date and the only example to achieve this grade.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2012, Sale 1027, Lot 130

1893, $5 Columbian (245), particularly well centered with unusually large margins, a sharp, detailed impression and lightly hinged original gum; fresh and choice Extremely Fine. Scott $2,600 A SUPERIOR MINT EXAMPLE OF THE $5 COLUMBIAN. Expertization: 1997 PF Certificate. Provenance: Enstrom.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 346, Lot 752

1893, $5 Columbian (245), virtually perfectly centered with a deep, prooflike impression and lightly hinged original gum; exceptionally fresh and Extremely Fine. SMQ $4,500. Scott $2,600 A TRULY OUTSTANDING MINT $5 COLUMBIAN. Expertization: 2007 PSE Certificate graded XF 90.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 345, Lot 271

1893, $5 Columbian (245), precisely centered with perfectly balanced margins, a deeply incised impression and full original gum; a fresh and choice, Extremely Fine Gem. SMQ $4,500. Scott $2,600 A SUPERLATIVE EXAMPLE OF THIS ICONIC HIGH VALUE COMMEMORATIVE. Expertization: 2000 PF and 2004 PSE Certificates, the latter graded XF 90.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 345, Lot 270

1893, $5 Columbian (Scott 245), light black cancellation, lovely example of this popular stamp, large margins, vivid color and an unobtrusive cancel; small filled thin spots at bottom show only in fluid, otherwise Very Fine. Scott $1,350. Estimate price $500 – 750.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Aug 2012, Sale 631, Lot 928