Price of US Stamp Scott 137: 1870 6c Abraham Lincoln National Bank Note Grill. Page 2

6c Carmine, H. Grill (137). Block of four, original gum, few small hinge slivers where minor perf separations sensibly reinforced, clear grills on all four stamps FINE-VERY FINE. THIS IS BY FAR THE FINEST OF THE THREE 1870 6-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE BLOCKS WE RECORD, AND THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE WE HAVE OFFERED SINCE KEEPING COMPUTERIZED RECORDS. A REMARKABLE LINCOLN-THEMED MULTIPLE. After searching for multiples of the 6c 1870 Grill (Scott 137 and 137A), we were surprised that blocks are so rare. None were offered in Caspary, Eno or other major block collections. A review of all 28 Colonel Green sales also failed to find one. Two others were offered in the Walter C. Klein sale (one ex Close and Ainsworth, the other ex Sinkler), but both have perfs impinging on the design. The Brookman book notes one was offered in the 1933 Hind sale, which is described in the sale catalogue as well-centered, but not illustrated — we assume that block is the one offered here.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2015, Sale 1096, Lot 264

o 1870, 6¢ carmine, H. grill (137), numerous visible grill points, excellent centering, vivid deep color. Fresh and choice Very Fine. Scott price $500 Expertization: 1991 P.F. Certificate.

Matthew Bennett International, Feb 2015, Sale 351, Lot 108

6c Carmine, H. Grill (Scott 137). Unusually wide margins and well-centered, bright color, light strike of blue target cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.F. certificate (VF-XF 85)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Feb 2015, Sale 1092, Lot 1115

1870, 6¢ carmine, H. grill (Scott 137), o.g., rich color with a nearly complete grill; reperforated at bottom, Fine appearance, 2014 P.S.E. certificate. Scott $5,000. Estimate $800 – 1,200.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jan 2015, Sale 663, Lot 1377

Scott #137, 6c Carmine with grill, beautifully centered used single with attractive “clothespin” geometric cancel, bright color on white paper, full “H” grill impression, certificate mentions tiny tear which is virtually indiscernible, otherwise extremely fine; 214 PSE certificate.

Spink Shreves Galleries, Jan 2015, Sale 150, Lot 102

USA (Scott 137) 1870 LINCOLN GRILLED BANKNOTE 6¢ CARMINE Black target cancel, likely pale carmine shade. Nicely centered with large margins, very fine. Cat value $575.

Regency-Superior, Jan 2015, Sale 109, Lot 800

6c Carmine, H. Grill (Scott 137). Rich color and well-centered, bold strike of red segmented cork cancel, Extremely Fine, ex Kirke, with 2000, 2005 and 2006 P.F. certificates (VF-XF 85), with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (VF-XF 85; SMQ price $700.00)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2014, Sale 1090, Lot 1299

USA (Scott 137) 137 LINCOLN GRILLED BANKNOTE 6? CARMINE (JUMBO) Extremely fine centering, Jumbo margins, with unusual cancel. Faint grill. (1987 PF Cert #177354) Cat value $575.

Regency-Superior, Nov 2014, Sale 108, Lot 319

USA (Scott 137) 1870 LINCOLN GRILLED BANKNOTE 6? CARMINE Large part original gum, small thin upper left corner per Weiss cert, pencil mark on back circles grill. Good color and well centered. Cat value $5000.

Regency-Superior, Nov 2014, Sale 108, Lot 318

6c Carmine, H. Grill (Scott 137). Gorgeous centering with wide and balanced margins all around, deep rich color, clear grill points, bold cork cancel EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 6-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE, GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; SMQ price $3,000.00). Only six others share this grade and only one has graded higher (at 98)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2014, Sale 1084, Lot 3369

6c Carmine, H. Grill, Split Grill (137 var). Bright color, split vertically with row at top and majority of grill at bottom, cork cancel, three wide margins, Very Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2014, Sale 1084, Lot 3370

6c Carmine, H. Grill (137). Horizontal strip of four and single, one in strip without grill, bright color, strip natural s.e. at right with part arrow at bottom, tied by target, “Batesville Ark. Sep. 4” circular datestamp with day in manuscript on yellow legal-size cover to Chester Ill., 1874 docketing at left, reduced at sides, stamps lifted to confirm grill and hinged in place, few shortish perfs, otherwise Very Fine, very unusual, with note on back from Brookman, listed but unpriced in Scott

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2014, Sale 1084, Lot 3371

Scott 137, 1870 6c Carmine, “H” Grill,fancy shield cancel, 2012 PSE Graded Fine 70 certificate (SMQ value $275) 

H.R. Harmer, Oct 2014, Sale 3006, Lot 1197

137, 1870 6c Carmine, “H” Grill,pair, brilliant color and strong grill impression, balanced fancy geometric NYFM between stamps, perfs have been reinforced and rejoined between, right stamp with natural straight edge, almost Fine (Scott value $1,200)

H.R. Harmer, Oct 2014, Sale 3006, Lot 1196

6c Carmine, H. Grill (Scott 137). Radiant color nicely complemented by blue circle of V’s cancel, Very Fine, with 1993 P.S.E. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2014, Sale 1078, Lot 272