US Stamp Prices Scott 173: 1875 12c Henry Clay Bank Note Special Printing. Page 2

12c Dark Violet, Special Printing (173). Without gum as issued, full perforations all around and “No. 13(7)” of imprint in selvage at bottom, intense shade and impression, shortish perf at top right FINE. THIS PLATE NUMBER POSITION PIECE OF THE 12-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL SPECIAL PRINTING IS UNIQUE. Our recently updated census records for Scott 173 contain 70 certified examples. Ex Earl of Crawford and Ackerman strips, which also contained the adjoining single with the rest of the plate number.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2012, Sale 1033, Lot 4101

1875 Special Printing, 12¢ dark violet (173), choice centering with remarkably vibrant color on brilliant white paper and, despite being scissor-separated, fully intact perforations on all sides, without gum as issued, a marvelous, Extremely Fine Gem. SSV $24,000. Scott $7,000 A GEM EXAMPLE OF THE 12¢ CONTINENTAL SPECIAL PRINTING—AMONG THE VERY BEST OF THE 70 OR SO EXAMPLES BELIEVED TO EXIST. Expertization: 2007 PF Certificate graded XF 90. Provenance: Drucker, “Empire”.

Matthew Bennett International, Sep 2012, Sale 345, Lot 211

1875 Special Printing, 12¢ dark violet (173), rich color and bright paper, without gum as issued, scissor-clipped at bottom with slightly nibbed perfs at top, about Fine. Scott value $7,000 Expertization: 1980 PF Certificate.

Matthew Bennett International, Feb 2012, Sale 340, Lot 281

1875 Special Printing, 12¢ dark violet (Scott 173), without gum as issued, decent example of this rare Special printing, fantastic rich shade, perfs cut off at bottom which is so often the case with this issue, otherwsie completely sound and choice, approximately 70 examples are known to exist, a fresh and pleasing example that would fit in nicely with any advanced U.S. collection, Fine, 1980 P.F. certificate. Scott price $7,000.

Daniel Kelleher Auctions, Oct 2011, Sale 626, Lot 172

United States 1875 Special Printing 1875 12c dark violet, fresh color, unused without gum as issued, usual scissors separated perfs, fine and rare sound example, only 282 printed (between this and the 1880 Issue), with 1971 APS and 2008 PFCs

Cherrystone Auctions, Jun 2011, Sale 201106, Lot 47

12c Dark Violet, Special Printing (173). Without gum as issued, rich color on bright paper, choice centering with unusually wide margins, scissors-separated as usual but leaving perfs on three sides and extra wide margin at bottom EXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE WIDEST-MARGINED AND BEST-CENTERED EXAMPLES OF THE 12-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL SPECIAL PRINTING IN EXISTENCE. Our recently updated census records for Scott 173 contain 70 certified examples. Unpublished Census No. 173-UNC-26. Ex Bayou and Laila. With 1970 and 2002 P.F. certificates.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2010, Sale 997, Lot 5587

12c Dark Violet, Special Printing (Scott 173). Without gum as issued, rich color and proof-like impression, right perfs trimmed, intact perfs on other sides FINE. A HANDSOME EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 12-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL SPECIAL PRINTING. With 1955 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2010, Sale 997, Lot 5588

12c Dark Violet, Special Printing (173). Without gum as issued, rich color on bright paper, choice centering with unusually wide margins, scissors-separated as usual but leaving intact perfs on all four sides EXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE 12-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL SPECIAL PRINTING IN EXISTENCE. Our recently updated census records for Scott 173 contain 61 certified examples. Unpublished Census No. 173-UNC-61. pencil “H R & Co.” backstamp. With 2009 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2010, Sale 989, Lot 148

United States 1875 Special Printing 1875 12c dark violet, unused without gum as issued, well centered, beautifully fresh color, usual scissors separations, v.f., with 1992 PFC, approximately 60 issued

Cherrystone Auctions, Apr 2010, Sale 201004, Lot 179

12c Dark Violet, Special Printing (173). Without gum as issued, rich color on bright paper, choice centering with unusually wide margins, scissors-separated as usual but leaving perfs on three sides and extra wide margin at bottom EXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE WIDEST-MARGINED AND BEST-CENTERED EXAMPLES OF THE 12-CENT 1875 CONTINENTAL SPECIAL PRINTING IN EXISTENCE. Our recently updated census records for Scott 173 contain 70 certified examples. Unpublished Census No. 173-UNC-26. Ex Bayou. With 1970 and 2002 P.F. certificates.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2009, Sale 972, Lot 3174

12c Dark Violet, Special Printing (173). Without gum as issued, deep rich color and proof-like impression, usual scissors-trimmed perfs but intact at sides, unusual huge top margin A FINE AND SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE 1875 12-CENT CONTINENTAL BANK NOTE COMPANY SPECIAL PRINTING. Our recently updated census records for Scott 173 contain 70 certified examples. Unpublished Census No. 173-UNC-10. Ex Allen. With 1950 and 2008 P.F. certificates

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Oct 2008, Sale 963, Lot 786

1875 Special Printing, 12¢ dark violet (173), well centered, nearly full perfs all around (couple pulled), prooflike color and impression. Without gum as issued. Small thin spot at top left. Very Fine appearance. Scott $7,250 ONE OF APPROXIMATELY 60-70 KNOWN EXAMPLES. Expertization: 1956 (clear) and 2001 P.F. Certificate.

Matthew Bennett International, May 2008, Sale 327, Lot 177

UNITED STATES 1870-88 BANKNOTE ISSUES 1875 Special Printing, 12c dark violet, unused without gum as issued, well centered, beautifully fresh color, usual scissors separations, v.f., approximately 60 issued, with 1992 PFC

Cherrystone Auctions, May 2008, Sale 200805, Lot 179

1875 Special Printing, 12¢ dark violet (173), choice centering, scissor separated but full perforations all around, with remarkably vibrant color on brilliant white paper, without gum as issued, Extremely Fine. SMQ price $28,000. Scott $6,500 A GEM EXAMPLE OF THE 12¢ 1875 SPECIAL PRINTING, CERTAINLY AMONG THE BEST OF THE 60 OR SO EXAMPLES BELIEVED TO EXIST. Expertization: 2007 P.F. Certificate graded XF 90.

Matthew Bennett International, Oct 2007, Sale 322, Lot 2058

1875 Special Printing, 12¢ dark violet (173), scissor separated with virtually full perforations, intense color. Without gum as issued. Fresh and Fine, only about 60 are believed to exist. Scott price $6,500 Expertization: 1989 P.S.E. Certificate.

Matthew Bennett International, Jun 2007, Sale 319, Lot 1198