Cost of US Stamps Scott Cat. 283 – 1898 10c Webster Bureau. Page 6

10c Orange Brown, Ty. II, Vertical Wmk. (283a). Mint N.H., radiant color as fresh as the day it was printed on crisp paper, mathematically perfect centering with wide and balanced margins, long and full perforations all around EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF SCOTT 283a IS PROBABLY THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE. IT HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GRADE OF GEM 100 BY P.S.E. — THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED TO DATE AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE THIS ILLUSTRIOUS GRADE. According to Brookman, the 10-cent Type II has the same type characteristics as the 1890 Issue, and so was likely made prior to Type I, which shows an altered die in the area of the circle surrounding the left denomination. In the 2007 Scott Specialized, the listings were clarified to include both the horizontal and vertical watermarks. In an article in the 2007 Scott Specialized, author Kenneth E. Diehl notes that the 10c stamps with vertical watermarks were printed from plates of 200 subjects, and were put on the presses in early 1902. The horizontal watermarked stamps (Scott 283) were printed from sheets of 400 stamps and were printed first. It is curious to note that the vertical watermarked issue, Scott 283a, was printed after the 10c Trans-Mississippi and 10c Pan-American Issues, and only a short time before the 10c 1902 Issue, Scott 307, was printed (EDU March 12, 1903). We must therefore conclude that this issue was printed in limited quantities. The existence of this example in Gem 100 grade is truly remarkable. With 2009 P.S.E. certificate (Gem 100), it is unpriced in 98 or higher in SMQ simply because the editors have no basis for evaluating this rarity. By contrast, Scott 283 has an SMQ of $17,400.00 in the grade of 98, and Scott Catalogue gives Scott 283a a 40% premium over Scott 283.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Jun 2009, Sale 973, Lot 170

10c Orange Brown, Ty. II (Scott 283). Mint N.H., pretty shade, fresh and Very Fine, with 1997 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2009, Sale 972, Lot 3268

UNITED STATES 1894-95 BUREAU ISSUES 1897 10c orange brown, type II, plate no. horizontal strip of three, stamps n.h., l.h. in top margin, fresh color, fine (cat. value for n.h. singles)

Cherrystone Auctions, Mar 2009, Sale 200903, Lot 183

10c Orange Brown, Ty. II (Scott 283). Original gum, barely hinged, excellent color, Very Fine and choice, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (OGph, VF-XF 85, SMQ price $225.00)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2008, Sale 967, Lot 4460

1898, 10¢ orange brown, type II (283), well centered with fresh, rich color and immaculate. Never hinged original gum. Very Fine. Scott value $500 Expertization: 2007 P.S.E. Certificate graded VF 80.

Matthew Bennett International, Jun 2008, Sale 328, Lot 806

1898, 10¢ orange brown, type II (283), well centered, bright color with a clear impression. Original gum, never hinged. Very Fine. Scott $500 Expertization: 1997 P.F. Certificate.

Matthew Bennett International, Apr 2008, Sale 326, Lot 272

1898, 10¢ orange brown, type II (283), well centered, large margins, bright and fresh color, o.g., NH, Extremely Fine. Scott $500 Expertization: photocopy of 1993 P.F. Certificate for a block.

Matthew Bennett International, Dec 2007, Sale 325, Lot 1830

() 1898, 10¢ orange brown, type II (283), top imprint and plate no. 1339 block of 6, fresh, incredibly well centered, unused, Extremely Fine. Scott value $1,900 for o.g.

Matthew Bennett International, Dec 2007, Sale 325, Lot 1831