Costs of US Stamps Scott Catalogue 288: 5c 1898 Trans Mississippi Exposition: Fremont on the Rocky Mountains. Page 6

1898, 5¢ Trans-Miss. (Scott 288), very fresh with beautiful color, wide margins, appealing stamp, o.g., never hinged, Very Fine to Extremely Fine, 2008 PF graded cert for plate number single since separated (VF-XF 85). Scott $330. Estimate value $250 – 350. (Image 1)

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jun 2012, Sale 630, Lot 1658

5c Trans-Mississippi (Scott 288). Mint N.H. with plate no. 618 and wide selvage at top, rich color and proof-like impression on bright paper, mathematically perfect centering EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE HAS BEEN AWARDED THE PERFECT GRADE OF GEM 100 BY P.S.E. — THIS IS ONE OF ONLY TWO EXAMPLES TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST AWARDED TO DATE. THIS IS ALSO ONE OF ONLY FOUR MINT NEVER-HINGED TRANS-MISSISSIPPI STAMPS IN ANY DENOMINATION TO ACHIEVE THIS GRADE. The 1893 Columbian Issue, comprising 16 different denominations, created a backlash from collectors, who resented paying $16.34 for a complete set (the equivalent of $380 in today’s dollars). For the 1898 Trans-Mississippi Exposition, held in Omaha Nebraska, the number of stamps was reduced to nine denominations up to $2.00. The $3.80 cost for the set, while still expensive ($95 in today’s dollars), was at least more manageable. The Trans-Mississippi plates were laid out with narrower space between the horizontal rows than the space between the vertical columns. The mathematically balanced margins necessary to achieve a Gem 100 grade require extra space between the horizontal rows of perforations. Anyone who has examined Trans-Mississippi sheets and multiples can testify to the rarity of stamps with perfectly balanced margins all around. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100, unpriced above the grade of 98, SMQ price $11,000.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded to date and one of only two examples to achieve this grade. The only other denomination represented by a Mint N.H. Gem 100 stamp is the 8c (two awarded, one of which is offered in the following lot).

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2012, Sale 1025, Lot 199

U.S.; General Issues, 1898, 5¢ Trans-Mississippi, #288. N.h., Fine. Scott $330. Estimate price $100.

Harmer-Schau Auction Galleries, May 2012, Sale 93, Lot 320

5c Trans-Mississippi (Scott 288). Mint N.H., wide balanced margins with plate no. selvage at bottom, deep rich color, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1999 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2012, Sale 1019, Lot 629

5c Trans-Mississippi (Scott 288). Mint N.H., deep shade and detailed impression, well-proportioned margins, Extremely Fine, with 2010 P.S.A.G. certificate (XF 90)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2012, Sale 1019, Lot 628

5c Trans-Mississippi (Scott 288). Top imprint and plate no. block of four, slightly disturbed original gum, Very Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2012, Sale 1019, Lot 631

5c Trans-Mississippi (Scott 288). Original gum, barely hinged, almost perfectly centered with imprint selvage at top, Extremely Fine Gem, with 1989 and 2003 P.F. certificates

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Mar 2012, Sale 1019, Lot 630

o 1898, 5¢ Trans-Miss. (288), perfectly centered, fresh and bright with large margins, vibrant color and a light cancel; a Superb Gem. One of only three used 5¢ Trans-Mississippis to receive a PSE Superb 98—and none have been graded higher. SMQ price $1,150. Scott $25 Expertization: 2011 PSE Certificate graded Superb 98.

Matthew Bennett International, Feb 2012, Sale 340, Lot 365

1898, 5¢ Trans-Miss. (288), nearly perfectly centered with large margins, bright color and post office fresh, never hinged original gum, Extremely Fine to Superb. SMQ value $2,200. Scott $330 Expertization: 2010 PSE Certificate graded XF-Sup 95.

Matthew Bennett International, Feb 2012, Sale 340, Lot 364

1898, 5¢ Trans-Miss. (288), a perfectly centered bottom sheet margin single with plate number, bright and fresh with pristine, never hinged original gum, Extremely Fine to Superb. SSV $2,000. Scott value $330 AN ESPECIALLY CHOICE MINT PLATE NUMBER SINGLE. Expertization: 2009 PF Certificate graded XF-S 95.

Matthew Bennett International, Feb 2012, Sale 340, Lot 363

1898, 5¢ Trans-Miss. (Scott 288), o.g., never hinged, beautiful rich shade, impressive showpiece with oversized margins, Extremely Fine. Scott $330 Estimate value $350 – 500.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jan 2012, Sale 628, Lot 405

1898, 5¢ Trans-Miss. (Scott 288), o.g., lightly hinged, stunning huge margined example, bold rich color, a premium stamp, Extremely Fine. Scott $110 Estimate value $100 – 150.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jan 2012, Sale 628, Lot 406

5c Trans-Mississippi (Scott 288). Mint N.H., pretty color and proof-like impression, wide margins, Very Fine, with 1991 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2011, Sale 1017, Lot 723

5c Trans-Mississippi (Scott 288). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, Very Fine and choice, with 2000 and 2007 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2011, Sale 1017, Lot 722

1898, 5¢ Trans-Miss. (Scott 288), o.g., never hinged, well centered and choice, vivid rich shade, premium quality example with a conservative grade assigned to it of VF-XF-85, too low in our humble opinion, Very Fine to Extremely Fine, 2011 P.S.E. certificate graded VF-XF-85. SMQ $530. Scott $330.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Oct 2011, Sale 626, Lot 275