US Stamps Prices Scott 165: 1873 30c Alexander Hamilton Continental Bank Note. Page 2

1873, 30¢ gray black (Scott 165), neatly struck black cancellation, incredibly fresh and choice example with outstanding color, Very Fine to Extremely Fine, 2015 P.F. certificate graded VF-XF-85. Scott Stamp Values $190 in the grade of VF-XF-85. Scott $140. Estimate value $150 – 200.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, May 2015, Sale 669, Lot 2658

o 1873, 30¢ gray black (165), perfectly centered, bright color. Fancy NYFM cancel. Highly unusual plate flaw on Hamilton’s left shoulder area, most likely from a piece of foreign matter on the plate. An Extremely Fine gem. Scott $140 Expertization: 2001 P.S.E. Certificate, not mentioning plate flaw.

Matthew Bennett International, Feb 2015, Sale 351, Lot 128

1873, 30¢ gray black (Scott 165), unused without gum, tough stamp to find unused, Very Good to Fine, 2014 P.S.E. certificate. Scott $1,100. Estimate $200 – 300.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jan 2015, Sale 663, Lot 1410

1873, 30¢ gray black (Scott 165), unused without gum, extremely appealing example of this difficult stamp, with beautiful fresh color printed on lively bright paper, Very Fine, 1981 P.F. certificate. Scott $1,300. Estimate price $1,000 – 1,500.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jan 2015, Sale 663, Lot 1408

1873, 30¢ gray black (Scott 165), unused without gum, deep saturated color, premium quality example of this difficult stamp; partially nibbed perf at left, Fine to Very Fine. Scott $1,300. Estimate $300 – 400.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Jan 2015, Sale 663, Lot 1409

30c Gray Black (Scott 165). Unused (no gum), choice centering, bright shade, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2010 P.F. and P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ price $2,800.00), this is the highest grade awarded to an unused example of this issue (also two original-gum stamps graded 95)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2014, Sale 1090, Lot 1334

USA (Scott 165) 1873 HAMILTON BANKNOTE 30? GRAY BLACK Average centering, deep, crisp impression, Original gum, previously hinged, slightly redistributed at top. Cat $3250.

Regency-Superior, Nov 2014, Sale 108, Lot 348

USA (Scott 165) 1873 HAMILTON BANKNOTE 30? GRAY BLACK Very fine centering, with light fancy cancel. (1990 PF Cert #227845) Cat value $140.

Regency-Superior, Nov 2014, Sale 108, Lot 350

30c Gray Black (165). Block of nine, bright shade, each stamp cancelled by well-struck Star with hollow center fancy cancel, top stamps also cancelled by horizontal blue crayon marking, top center stamp internal tear, few other minor imperfections, Very Fine, scarce large multiple, especially desirable with the fancy cancels, ex Mercedes, Scott Retail as block of four, two pairs and single with no premium for the cancels

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2014, Sale 1084, Lot 3435

30c Gray Black (Scott 165). Bright shade, choice centering with wide margins, segmented cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, with 2007 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ price $275.00), we are surprised this did not receive a Jumbo designation

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Nov 2014, Sale 1084, Lot 3434

30c Gray Black (165). Original gum, bright shade and detailed impression, almost perfectly centered with balanced margins all around EXTREMELY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1873 CONTINENTAL PRINTING. A SUPERB STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT. Lost among the 1870 National Grilled and Ungrilled Issues, 1875 Continental and 1880 American Bank Note Special Printings, and the 1879 and 1888 American Issues is the 30c 1873 Continental printing. Scott 165 is distinguished from its National counterpart by shade and the shape of the perforations, and from its 1879 American counterpart by paper. Many philatelists — even intermediate and advanced collectors — have difficulty classifying Scott 165. When it comes to naming the most elusive Bank Note stamps in choice original-gum condition, the 30c 1873 is often overlooked. However, go to any serious collection and look for this stamp, and most of the time it is missing or represented by something that compromises quality. The 30c 1870 is frequently found filling the space for Scott 165. The 30c Continental is extremely rare in any original-gum condition that approaches this example. Blocks have always been rare — for example, Caspary did not have one; Lilly had one well-centered block of four and an off-center block of six — which means that singles could not be harvested from multiples. We hope that collectors who still have a tendency to overlook the 30c Continental will be awakened to its rarity in Extremely Fine original-gum condition by our comments and recent realizations. With 1972 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2014, Sale 1078, Lot 304

30c Gray Black (Scott 165). Intense shade and impression, well-proportioned margins, bold blue cork cancel, Extremely Fine, with 2014 P.F. certificate (XF 90)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2014, Sale 1078, Lot 306

30c Gray Black (Scott 165). Original gum, intense shade and impression VERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 1873 30-CENT CONTINNTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY ISSUE. As explained in the previous lot description, the 30c Continental is rarely encountered in choice original-gum condition. This stamp has not been on the market for more than 50 years.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2014, Sale 1078, Lot 305

30c Gray Black (Scott 165). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade, wide margins, Very Fine, with 2014 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jul 2014, Sale 1077, Lot 151

1873, 30¢ gray black (Scott 165), lightly struck black cancellation, magnificent top quality example featuring dazzling rich color on bright white paper, rarely found in such choice condition, Extremely Fine, 2009 P.F. certificate. Scott $140. Estimate price $200 – 300.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, May 2014, Sale 653, Lot 2123