US Stamps Value Scott 286: 1898 2c Trans Mississippi Exposition: Farming in the West. Page 4

2c Copper Red, Plate Proof on Card (Scott 286P4). Deep rich color, large to huge margins including part arrow sheet margin at left VERY FINE AND CHOICE. THE 2-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI IS EXTREMELY RARE AS A PLATE PROOF. This is the first we have offered since keeping computerized records.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2013, Sale 1040, Lot 1108

2c Trans-Mississippi (286). Pane of 50 with imprint and plate no. 741 blocks of six at top and bottom, arrow selvage at left, natural s.e. at right, top plate block and many others Mint N.H., few perf separations sensibly and expertly reinforced which possibly affects bottom plate block, one stamp towards center thin spot, appears Fine-Very Fine, Scott Retail approx.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2013, Sale 1040, Lot 1617

1898, 2¢ Trans-Miss. (Scott 286), o.g., never hinged, beautiful example with wonderfully balanced margins and eye catching bright color, a very handsome top quality stamp, Extremely Fine. Scott $73. Estimate $100 – 150.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Mar 2013, Sale 635, Lot 405

1898, 2¢ Trans-Miss. (Scott 286), bottom plate block of 4, o.g., stamps never hinged, hinged in selvage only, terrific rich color, slightly reduced selvage, otherwise a quality example, Fine to Very Fine. Scott $240. Estimate price $100 – 150.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Mar 2013, Sale 635, Lot 406

1898, 2¢ Trans-Miss. (Scott 286), top plate number single, o.g., never hinged, wonderfully fresh, with balanced margins and vivid color, Extremely Fine. Scott $73. Estimate value $100 – 150.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Feb 2013, Sale 634, Lot 192

2c Trans-Mississippi (Scott 286). Mint N.H., Jumbo margins and perfect centering, rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT TWO-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI STAMP, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E — THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED. Ex Beverly Hills. With 2011 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98 Jumbo, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $2,650.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded and only three others share this grade.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2012, Sale 1034, Lot 272

Scott #286, 2c Trans-Mississippi, excellent centering within large margins, brilliantly rich color, o.g., n.h., extremely fine and choice; 2012 PSE certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $690.00).

Spink Shreves Galleries, Nov 2012, Sale 141, Lot 122

2c Trans-Mississippi (Scott 286). Mint N.H. with plate no. 597 wide selvage at top, brilliant color, fresh and Extremely Fine, with copy of 2000 P.F. certificate for pair

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 1033, Lot 4160

2c Trans-Mississippi (Scott 286). Wide perfectly balanced margins, bright color on crisp paper, neat strike of duplex cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a spectacular example of this workhorse value from the Trans-Mississippi series, with 2011 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98, SMQ price $700.00), more than 159 million of the 2c stamp were printed, yet to find a truly superbly centered and sound used example is astonishingly difficult, the P.S.E. Population Report lists only this and one other used stamp at 98 with none higher, only three others have even graded as high as 95, this compares to approximately 50 Mint N.H. stamps graded 95 or better including nine at 98 or 98J, the far more common Mint N.H. 98’s have an SMQ value of $2,750.00

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 1032, Lot 3411

1898, 2¢ Trans-Miss. (286), virtually perfectly centered with incredibly deep color and flawless, never hinged original gum; post office fresh and Extremely Fine to Superb. SSV $625. Scott $73 Expertization: 2006 PF Certificate graded XF-S 95.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 346, Lot 769

1898, 2¢ Trans-Miss. (Scott 286), top margin part imprint single, o.g., never hinged, rich lustrous color amidst near-perfect centerring, Choice Extremely Fine, 2012 PSAG Graded “95” certificate. SMQ $725 (XF-Sup 95). Scott $73. Estimate value $300 – 400.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Aug 2012, Sale 631, Lot 1013

U.S.; General Issues, 1898, 2¢ Trans-Mississippi, #286. N.h., deep color, Grade 95 Extremely Fine to Superb, PSE (2005) cert. Scott Stamp Values $725. Estimate $500-600.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, Aug 2012, Sale 94, Lot 1411

Scott #286, 2c Trans-Mississippi, bottom margin imprint single, exceptionally well centered and margined, strong rich color, o.g., n.h., extremely fine; 2012 PSE certificate (XF 90; SMQ value $275.00).

Spink Shreves Galleries, Jul 2012, Sale 140, Lot 200

Scott #286, 2c Trans-Mississippi, a striking mint example, possessing extravagantly large margins all around and being wonderfully well centered within them, gorgeous intense color and a prooflike impression, immaculate o.g., n.h., an extremely fine gem; 1988 and 2003 PF certificates, as well as a 2006 PSE certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ value $725.00).

Spink Shreves Galleries, Jul 2012, Sale 140, Lot 199

1898, 2¢ Trans-Miss. (Scott 286), impressive top margin imprint single with particularly strong color, o.g., never hinged, Extremely Fine. Scott $73. Estimate $75 – 100. (Image 1)

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jun 2012, Sale 630, Lot 1654