Costs of US Stamp Scott Catalog #239 – 1893 30c Columbian Exposition: Columbus at La Rabida. Page 15

30c Columbian (Scott 239). Bright color, choice centering with Jumbo margins, neat strike of Boston registry oval cancel, Extremely Fine, a huge stamp, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo, SMQ value $290.00 as 90, $840.00 as 95)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2008, Sale 967, Lot 4394

30c Columbian (Scott 239). Mint N.H., rich color, fresh and Very Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2008, Sale 967, Lot 4390

30c Columbian (Scott 239). Mint N.H., rich color, fresh and Very Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (F-VF 75, SMQ value $315.00 as 70, $850.00 as 80)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2008, Sale 967, Lot 4391

30c Columbian (Scott 239). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression on bright paper, wide margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, a pretty stamp, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90, SMQ value $2,350.00)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2008, Sale 967, Lot 4389

30c Columbian (Scott 239). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on crisp paper, beautiful centering, long and full perforations EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95, SMQ value $6,850.00)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2008, Sale 967, Lot 4387

30c Columbian (Scott 239). Mint N.H., rich color on bright paper, well-proportioned margins EXTREMELY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE. With 1999 P.F. and 2006 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90, SMQ $2,350.00)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2008, Sale 967, Lot 4388

1893, 30¢ Columbian (239), plate block of 6, top imprint and plate number “59” block of six, near perfect centering thoughout, vibrant color on bright paper, crisp and fully intact, post office fresh never hinged original gum, Extremely Fine and choice. Scott $14,500 A GEM MINT NEVER HINGED TOP PLATE BLOCK OF THE 30¢ COLUMBIAN ISSUE IN THE FINEST POSSIBLE CONDITION. Expertization: 2007 P.F. Certificate. The 30¢ Columbian is scarce in choice never hinged condition. This desirable top plate block is perhaps the finest mint never hinged example in existence.

Matthew Bennett International, Dec 2008, Sale 330, Lot 1695

30c Columbian (Scott 239). Original gum, faintly hinged if at all, gorgeous balanced margins, excellent color on crisp white paper, Extremely Fine, a beauty

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2008, Sale 962, Lot 2512

30c Columbian (Scott 239). Original gum, well-centered with extra wide margins, bright color, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90, SMQ price $510.00)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2008, Sale 962, Lot 2511

30c Columbian (Scott 239). Block of four, slightly disturbed original gum, minor gum toning on one, otherwise Fine-Very Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2008, Sale 962, Lot 2513

30c Columbian (Scott 239). Original gum, unusually wide Jumbo margins, rich color and detailed impression, Extremely Fine, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90 Jumbo, SMQ $510.00 as 90, $880.00 as 95)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2008, Sale 962, Lot 2510

30c Columbian (Scott 239). Mint N.H., deep rich color and proof-like impression on post-office fresh paper, beautiful centering with balanced margins EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED XF-SUPERB 95 BY P.S.E. With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95, SMQ $7,600.00)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2008, Sale 962, Lot 2509

30c Columbian (239). Mint N.H., rich color, beautiful impression showing every detailed line of this marvelous engraving, mathematically perfect centering with wide margins on all four sides EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS MAGNIFICENT MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT COLUMBIAN ISSUE HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF GEM 100 BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE, AND THIS STAMP IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS PERFECT GRADE. IT IS A KEY TO A SET OF HIGH-GRADE COLUMBIANS, WHICH IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR ISSUES IN UNITED STATES PHILATELY. The scene depicted on the 30c is based on the story that Columbus stopped at the convent at Santa Maria de La Rabida on his way to France after being rejected at the Spanish Court. The friar of the convent, after hearing his plan, persuaded him to stay. While at the convent he gained support from some of the more important people in the neighborhood and, his faith renewed, decided to apply for aid from the Spanish court once again, where he was successful. This marked a turning-point in his struggles for financial backing. Regarding this extraordinary example of the 30c Columbian, a relevant commentary was recently published in Stamp Market Quarterly (July-Sep. 2008) by master grader William A. Litle. Reflecting on the 2c Columbian Mint N.H. 100 sold in our 2008 Rarities sale for $16,675, he wrote: The 100 Mint N.H. Scott No. 231 is the only one with this ultimate grade. In fact, to date, only four other Columbians have received a 100 grade [Editor’s note: now six in total]. At $16,675 the 2c Columbian brought a tidy 290 times Scott Catalog! What would a 100 N.H. $5 Columbian be worth in today’s market? Oh heck–I’d settle for finding a 100 N.H. $4 Columbian.” We can try to answer Dr. Litle’s rhetorical question. Auction realizations for 19th century and early 20th century commemoratives in 100 N.H. grade have been averaging 12-15 times SMQ for 95 N.H. and 5 times SMQ for 98 N.H. The multiples seem to be higher when only one or two have reached a Perfect 100 grade. So, to answer Dr. Litle, based on the available sales data, a $5.00 Columbian 100 N.H. would probably realize in excess of one million dollars, and even the $4.00 would approach the million-dollar mark. Now, we’re not saying this is a sure thing, but that is what the numbers indicate. The highest grade we currently have for either the $4.00 or $5.00 Columbian in N.H. condition is 95. So, as of now there is no stamp to test the market. The highest Columbian value in 100 N.H. grade is the 50c (one reported). The second highest value to achieve a Perfect 100 is the 30c offered here, which is the only Mint N.H. example to reach 100. With 2008 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100, unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ value $24,500.00 as 98). The Columbian denominations to achieve the grade of Mint N.H. Gem 100 are: 2c (one 100) 4c (100 and 100J, see lot 2491), 8c (100J), 30c (100) and 50c (100). Aside from these five denominations, represented by six stamps, no other Columbian has been awarded the perfect grade of Gem 100.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2008, Sale 962, Lot 2508

1893, 30¢ Columbian (239), virtually perfectly centered with balanced margins and rich color. O.g., never hinged. Post office fresh and Extremely Fine. SMQ price $2,450. Scott $900 Expertization: 1987, 2002 and 2008 P.F. Certificates, latter graded XF 90.

Matthew Bennett International, Jun 2008, Sale 328, Lot 757

1893, 30¢ Columbian (239), fresh and quite well centered. O.g., never hinged. Very Fine. Scott $900 Expertization: 1993 P.S.E. Certificate.

Matthew Bennett International, Jun 2008, Sale 328, Lot 758